CORRECTED-Nigerian artist creates rotting exhibit as coronavirus warning

(Corrects spelling of artist's name to Omokeko, not Omomkeko)
By Seun Sanni
LAGOS, Feb 5 (Reuters) - Nigerian artist Olufela Omokeko
carefully arranges fresh peppers on wooden boards hanging in a
bare room. Instead of providing spice in a meal, he wants them
to encourage people to obey measures that will stop the spread
of the coronavirus.
His pieces, comprising of red, yellow and green peppers
mounted on boards and tomatoes hanging from nets, will rot
during the lifespan of the exhibition in Lagos. The decay
reflects the food wasted during lockdowns last year, said the
30-year-old artist.
"I created this art space as a reflection of the scarcity...
and numerous challenges that we experienced at the early stage
of the pandemic," Omokeko said.
Lockdowns were imposed from late March until early May last
year in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub, and the capital, Abuja.
The restrictions, coupled with a ban on nationwide interstate
travel, disrupted supply chains which led to widespread hunger,
while food rotted in fields or at depots. "I don't want us to go back to that stage again and my only
advice is for the masses to use their face masks just to avoid
another lockdown," he said.
He fears authorities may enforce more restrictions as the
country grapples with a second wave of COVID-19 infections that
has seen the number of cases rise sharply in recent weeks.
Public health officials have repeatedly warned that
Nigerians are failing to heed guidance on observing social
distancing and wearing masks. Many opt to wear masks around
their chin, rather than over their mouth and nose.
Omokeko hopes the sight of his rotting peppers, oozing
liquids and giving off a pungent smell, will provide a visceral
warning of what may happen if safety advice is ignored.
"I'm not wasting this material," he said. "I'm using it to
raise the consciousness of the masses."