Godfrey Williams – Okorodus is an industrious art personality of reckon. His career path and life musings are awe inspiring with A – Can – Do – Spirit. His comments on micro-blogging site Facebook on a published article about Africans perception of gallery owners and collectors elicited a lot of reactions from Nigerians and which wasn’t far from the truth. Writes Ireho Aito

“This was the main reason why I decided to open my own space in Antwerp over 20 years ago and despite all the odds, I am still in the same space till date. Most of the galleries who declined my request to show my works have long closed shop.”

This statement is credited to Godfrey Willaims – Okorodus, a Nigerian born Graphic artist and gallery owner of Labalaba Gallery, living and working in Antwerp, Belgium. Godfrey goes by the slogan – African art by Africans.

For most Nigerians born after the nightmarish civil war in Nigeria that lasted for 30 months, can only come to terms with Belgium as a country that colonized some parts of Africa such as Congo. Belgium was a super power on African soil. A member of the Berlin Conference that pillaged Africa among themselves.

Better still, many would remember Belgium from the ‘Japa’ syndrome of the 80s among African footballers. An exodus that was famous due to the role the Big Boss of Nigerian football, Stephen Okechukwu Keshi played a big role in relocating many Nigerian and African when he found himself playing for Belgian giants Anderlecht. This was a revolution that paved way for success stories among African footballers. Stephen Keshi played a massive and leadership role. Belgium football economy received a tremendous boost during that era. Every Belgian could identify with African players in those glorious days.

Belgium and Africa have a symbiotic relationship because of colonial interference, sports, music, art and commerce. Godfrey Williams – Okorodus is a Nigerian art ambassador, a visual art auteur, thriving very well in Antwerp, Belgium with his Belgian wife and his story is not different from the move to Canaan that was already amplified by African footballers. He lives by the mantra ‘African arts by Africans.’ He believes in the authenticity of African arts and belittling the work of beauty from motherland is a no – go – area for him.

Background and education
Godfrey was born during the Up Bende! Slogan from the Mid – Western of Nigeria that later gave birth to Bendel State and today’s Edo and Delta States respectively. Godfrey was born just two weeks after one of the most horrendous civil wars in the world – Nigerian and Biafran Civil War that lasted for three years. The Eastern part of Nigeria decided to break away and the country plunged into war from 1967 to 1970. Godfrey was born in Lagos in January 1970 to parents of Itsekiri background. It was an era of ‘No Victor No Vanquished’ from the government led by General Yakubu Gowon to offer olive branch to all actors of the war. Godfrey didn’t witness the 12 – Day Revolution by Isaac Adaka – Boro and his Niger Delta Volunteer Service, gave a reawakening commentary to the people of the Niger Delta region, declaring secession from the Nigerian country. “Remember your seventy year old grandmother who still farms before she eats; remember also your poverty stricken people, remember too, your petroleum which is being pumped out daily from your veins and then fight for your freedom.” The revolution was quashed after twelve days. This showed how strong – willed the offspring from the region always turn out to be no matter where they reside or place of birth.
Godfrey Williams birthplace, Ajegunle or AJ for short is an amazing ghetto that has become a paradise for talents discovery all over the world. It is a continent on its own. From seasoned career diplomats, medicine, science and technology, music and arts, sports and entertainment, Ajegunle is the cauldron of grace that has given Nigerians and Nigeria as a country glory globally. Many searching for talents from different parts of the world in various fields of endeavour, have passed through AJ city as it is fondly called for their talent discovery. The city within the city of Lagos is an armoury off talents that have gone to shine million stars. “ I was born in Ajegunle and in 1977, my family moved to FESTAC Town. This is a Federal Government Estate built to accommodate the participants of Festival of Arts and Culture,” Godfrey reminisce. FESTAC ’77 was the second edition and people of black origin from all over the world witnessed a epoch – experience, so unique to describe. “My family happened to be the earliest inhabitants in the estate after the festival, he recalls.
Lagos is a culture. And every inhabitant plying in Lagos has a fast – beat, fast tempo hyper – lifestyle. It is what it is. Godfrey remembers the city while growing up as an exhilarating experience. The survival of the strongest dictated life and still is too. “Lagos was the capital of Nigeria and life was tough growing up but we weather the storm. It was the era of oil boom and Nigeria’s economy was buoyant, he recalls. “We had electricity in my time. Very constant power supply. Power generating sets sound popularly known as generators were only heard when street parties were held which was always one of the highlight of most weekends. While in Lagos, we had unity among us and people from different backgrounds and tribes lived together. The ‘haves’ and the ‘haves not’ children attended the same schools. There was no iota of discrimination. We had friends from all over the country and neighbouring countries back then growing up,” he reveals.

I was born in Ajegunle and in 1977, my family moved to FESTAC Town. This is a Federal Government Estate built to accommodate the participants of Festival of Arts and Culture

Just like every Itshekiri stock loves education. Godfrey had a stint at Yaba College of Technology, Yaba, Lagos as a an art student before gaining admission into University of Benin known as UNIBEN in 1988. He took the opportunity such admission offered to change his location as he was a complete Lagos boy with no attachment beyond Lagos. He wanted to experience that adventure. “I decided to move, so as to, change location, because I wanted to see what life was like outside Lagos. Life in the university was something else. It was magical! It was also the period I started developing my entrepreneurial skills. While in the university, I opted for Graphic Arts because of its robust curriculum. Moreover, it gives opportunities for career venture in advertising and printing companies after graduation.

Hustle and Bustle
Godfrey Williams – Okorodus Lagos ‘sense’ paved way for him, despite being in the midst of both ‘baffi – waffi’ boys whose bravery and street – sense are second to none. Godfrey swayed ahead. He became a genuine hustling student on campus to eke a living. “ In my 3rd and 4th year, I was producing educational primers for students in Adult Education Department at UNIBEN through a lecturer’s recommendation,” Godfrey narrates.

In my 3rd and 4th year, I was producing educational primers for students in Adult Education Department at UNIBEN through a lecturer’s recommendation,

He was so much occupied with work that he had no choice but to employ more fellow students to work with him. Beyond that, Godfrey, being versatile, took elective courses in Theatre Arts department which opened the doors merry moments in the university for him. He confesses, “life in the university was all the more enjoyable.”

Graduation, Career and Studio

Godfrey Williams – Okorodus graduated from the university in 1993 and worked briefly as a cartoonist and illustrator with the famous Guardian Newspapers in Lagos. After a media clamp down in 1994 from the dictatorial regime of the junta at the time, General Ibrahim Babangida regime, he worked briefly with Business Magazine as a graphic artist. “ I knew very well I was not cut out to be an employee, along the line, I quit the job and became a full – time studio artist by the end of the year in 1994,” the Antwerp based gallery owner reminisces.

I knew very well I was not cut out to be an employee, along the line, I quit the job and became a full – time studio artist

Life foundation and the birth of Nollywood
For several years, alongside fellow artists, Godfrey worked inside Curio Studio within a popular Surulere Hotel known as Rita Lori Hotels. The studio was set up Enotie Ogbebor. In his accounts, he reveals, “those years later formed my foundation stepping stones in Europe. Within that hotels, I witnessed the birth of Nollywood, Nigeria’s burgeoning film industry at its nascent stage. Some of the pioneers like Henry (Kabat) Esosa Egbon, a scriptwriter and a director for TV and film was in the same Curio studio with me. Then, other members of the studio were Ehi Obinyan, Dafe Sowho and so many artists that would normally passed by, just to commune with us.

Galleries Power and Powers of Exhibitions

In the 90s, Nigerians found themselves in political albatross. The June 12, 1993 elections debacle was giving Nigeria a bad reputation. The country became a pariah state in the comity of nations. Sanctions and diplomatic embargoes were flying everywhere, affecting Nigerian economy at the time. The June 12, 1993 elections, regarded as the most peaceful and trustworthy elections ever conducted in modern Africa, actually ended in a shambles. The acclaimed winner, MKO Abiola, a chartered accountant, was denied his mandate. Scores of revolutions and anti – government pressure groups sprung up, demanding for the actualization of the mandate of the people. The civil society, students and university teachers down tools to demand for true picture of democracy. Yes, indeed, businesses collapsed. And this imbroglio took its toll on the creative industry.
Godfrey still gave another account of the 90s era from another perspectives, “galleries back then were very few. And the dealers and collectors relied on established names before being attracted to work of artists. They were not nice most times whenever you approached them. There was no free flow of communication, unlike the era of mobile phones today, he still recalls. Godfrey stayed very far away from galleries and dealers because he couldn’t stand their offensive ways of communicating with artists. He confessed that their behaviour was condescending.
Exhibition and Art – Voyageur
Veteran journalist and culture producer, Toyin Akinosho, now Co – founder of Lagos Book and Art festival launched Godfrey Williams – Okorodus first exhibition in 1998 at Chevron. Then, Toyin Akinosho was organising monthly exhibition shows for Chevron staff.
The following year, Godfrey started having his engagements in Europe. “I started traveling internationally and met my wife who is a Belgian when I visited Mauritius. He later relocated in 2002 finally which was the same year he opened his gallery. “I opened my gallery to the public in October 2002 ‘Labalaba’ Gallery in the cultural heart of Antwerp, Belgium.

So Sure, I Know I Can Fly Like A Butterfly!
The current generation of entrepreneurs have heard it all over that networking breaks career limitation. Your network is your net worth. Godfrey Williams – Okorodus knew this all along and didn’t hesitate to take the next leap and which opened prosperous doors for him. He recounts, “when I discovered a lurch in my career trajectory, my Lagos spirit started moving in the right direction. I joined an international organisation popularly known as the JCI Junior Chambers International, a group that ia globally known for encouraging global interaction and self – enterpreneurship and development in 1995. I sincerely realised that my core friends and associates revolve around my career. They are mostly fellow artists and clients. I wanted and in need of a diverse audience and associates to expand my knowledge, gain more mentorship and networking”, he maintains.

I joined an international organisation popularly known as the JCI Junior Chambers International, a group that ia globally known for encouraging global interaction and self – enterpreneurship and development

This decision taken by Godfrey happened to be a life changing step taken as he got many opportunities and gained more insights to know more about successful people through the JCIs. The JCI brand of people are always committed to make the world a better place with genuine interest.
It was a door of several opportunities to come Godfrey Williams – Okorodus way, as the organisation him the ample opportunity to travel the world with global entrepreneurial mission. “In 1999, I participated in the African Conference of the JCI in Mauritius where I met my lovely and adorable wife today – Karin, who was a member of JCI from Belgium,” he reveals. They got married in May 2002.
The couple recently celebrated their wedding anniversary in May 2024. And in October 2002, Godfrey Williams – Okorodus opened his studio and gallery space in one of the most alluring cities Antwerp in Belgium. A city known for its cultural and artistic presence with high valued appreciation of genres from Africa such as Makossa and Soukous popularised by Cameroonian legend like Manu Dibango and Congolese musicians.
“ My studio and gallery became a breathe of fresh air because after the gruelling and amazing life in Lagos, I had a space which was exactly what my soul so much desired. This decision to open buoys down to my observation of the difference between artists and how they were marketing themselves and their works in Nigeria and Belgium,” An effort that turned out to be a good investment.

In 1999, I participated in the African Conference of the JCI in Mauritius where I met my lovely and adorable wife today – Karin

For two years, Godfrey was on a new discovery mission in his career odyssey. He sojourned between Lagos, Nigeria and Antwerp, Belgium between 2000.and 2002 on self – discovery. “ I exhibited in a few gallery spaces for a fee, sales were also very encouraging, as my wife played a pivotal role in bringing some of her fellow JCI contacts and friends,” explains Okorodus. He enthused further that majority of the galleries, then, in Antwerp, gave a cold reception, as they were not interested in adding artists not recognised within their art circle to their stable.

I exhibited in a few gallery spaces for a fee, sales were also very encouraging, as my wife played a pivotal role in bringing some of her fellow JCI contacts and friends,”

Life and Philosophy

Godfrey Williams – Okorodus maintains a simple life philosophy which is ‘never let anything or anyone makes me feel inferior.’ Instead for him to go begging through the same pattern that looks obsolete, he creates his path. And one of the reasons his gallery is named Labalaba a Yoruba word for butterfly. Butterlfy is widely known for its metamorphic creation.
“I called my space Gallery Labalaba a Yoruba word for the butterfly a creature which passes through several metamorphosis to emerge as a beautiful creature which pollinates and re- ensures growth.”

“I called my space Gallery Labalaba a Yoruba word for the butterfly a creature which passes through several metamorphosis to emerge as a beautiful creature which pollinates and re- ensures growth.”

Serving Humanity

Giving back is much vital to Godfrey Williams – Okorodus which was also a key point in his relocation. “Another vital reason why my relocation was important was that it gave me the opportunity to concentrate on my life passion which is rendering humanitarian services in my own little way to the world,” Okorodus explains. His area of focus has remained giving back in every way you can. He reveals, “since I was called upon by Sam Ovraiti in 1998 to participate in a group exhibition in Lagos, where we launched a campaign against Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, I, continually, have been campaigning using arts against FGM and other human rights violations.
I believed that arts is an integral tool in campaigning against such barbaric and senseless act being carried out on girls and women especially in Africa and other parts of the world. Art is a mirror people can relate with in life – changing decisions.”

since I was called upon by Sam Ovraiti in 1998 to participate in a group exhibition in Lagos, where we launched a campaign against Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, I, continually, have been campaigning using arts against FGM and other human rights violations.

Another vital reason why my relocation was important was that it gave me the opportunity to concentrate on my life passion which is rendering humanitarian services in my own little way to the world and my focus ever since I was called upon by Sam Ovraiti in 1998 to participate in a group exhibition in Lagos campaigning against FGM ( Female Genital Mutilation) has been campaigning using arts against FGM and other human rights violations.
I believed that arts is an integral tool in campaigning against this barbaric and senseless acts carried out on girls and women especially in Africa and other parts of the world.”

In highly profound moments, since 1998, Godfrey Williams – Okorodus, has been fully engaged in changing the dastardly act known as Female Genital Mutilation through various organised workshops and exhibitions. He still recounts vividly, “ right from 1998, this campaign has been so dear to me and I have engaged several artists, especially male artists in different countries in workshops in Nigeria, Benin Republic, Togo, Ghana, Senegal and Belgium where artworks are created and produced to raise awareness against FGM.” And he maintains all the works have been globally exhibited at different locations across the world. Several exhibitions have been held at the United Nations Headquarters in Geneva, Oxford University in the UK, Monestary in Gent, Belgium and several other locations in Europe.
He remarked the role of mentorship in his life by appreciating the effort of individuals who added values to his life and career path. “My campaign endeavours have been made possible largely because I have the most wonderful friends and supporters of the cause. Such as Professor Tobe Levin, an American Professor of Literature based in Frankfurt Germany. She happens to be a strong and high vocal campaigner against Female Genital Mutilation, FGM, and other human rights violations. She loathes the act of dehumanising fellow humans. I have been privileged to have met and call her a friend she is my mentor,” concludes Okorodus

Words/Ireho Aito/Don’t Keep Your Art in the Finger!/Pictures/Godfrey Williams – Okorodus archives and gallery.