The Lagos art scene is currently celebrating a living legend. The inaugural Uncle Sam Amuka (USA) Art Exhibition opened its doors at the prestigious Alexis Gallery on Victoria Island, Lagos, on December 16, 2025. This vibrant celebration of words, visuals, and legacy is dedicated to the iconic media figure, Samson Oruru Amuka-Pemu, popularly known as Uncle Sam Amuka. The exhibition is set to conclude on December 20, 2025.
A Tribute from a Renowned Artist
Organised by Tourists Club International (TCI) in partnership with Vanguard Newspapers, the exhibition is headlined by the esteemed Professor dele jegede, a Nigerian-American painter, historian, and critic. In a powerful tribute, jegede placed Amuka among Nigeria's most distinguished nonagenarians. He described the co-founder of The Punch and founder of Vanguard Newspaper as possessing moral probity, ascetic discipline, and purposeful living, ranking him alongside greats like Jose, Jakande, Solarin, and (Akinola) Aguda.
"Uncle Sam has earned his stripes, and richly so," jegede stated. He humorously certified the "hip, avuncular, and companionable journalist" we once knew as Sad Sam as "a living legend." He reflected on the intensely fervid and vibrant journalism of the 1960s Nigerian press that Amuka helped shape.
The Exhibition's Core and Vision
Titled 'The Beginning', the show features approximately 25 works from artists who have collaborated with Amuka throughout his career. These include pieces by Professor dele jegede (USA), Albert Ohams, Greg Onyeka, Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo, and Fidelis Atumah. A significant highlight is the display of the first-ever published copy of Vanguard Newspaper, juxtaposed with an edition from the exhibition's opening day, visually narrating a journey of growth and elevated standards.
Also gracing the display are two works by the Ghanaian master, Professor Ablade Glover. The curator and President of Tourists Club International, Dr. Osa Mbonu-Amadi, explained that the exhibition's essence transcends aesthetics. It tells a profound story of legacy, art, and creative expression intertwined with Uncle Sam Amuka's life.
A Lasting Legacy in the Art World
Dr. Mbonu-Amadi revealed that this event marks the start of an annual series. "The USA Exhibition — standing for Uncle Sam Art Exhibition — will now be a yearly art exhibition series," he announced. He shared the exhibition's organic genesis, which began when a cartoonist, who had followed Amuka's career from The Punch to Vanguard, approached them to sell his artwork. The team saw beyond a transaction, recognizing a deeper narrative worth showcasing to the public.
This exhibition successfully bridges Nigeria's rich journalistic history with its dynamic contemporary art scene, ensuring that the legacy of a press icon continues to inspire through the powerful medium of visual art.
