Meet Ladi Dosei Kwali, the woman on 20 naira noteMany Nigerians are oblivious to the story of the woman whose picture adorns the back of 20 naira note they spend on a daily. At the back of the 20 naira note is Ladi Kwali’s picture, a celebrated potter who hailed from the northern part of Nigeria. Ladi Kwali was born in the village of Kwali, which is located in the Gwari region of present day Abuja, where pottery was indigenous female tradition. Kwali who grew up in a family in which womenfolk made pots for a living, learnt to make pottery as a child from her aunt. READ ALSO: RETRO: The Life and times of Ajala, the first Nigerian to travel round the world Kwali's younger brother, Mallam Mekaniki Kyebese, said: “Even in the early years of pottery making, Ladi Kwali excelled in the crafts and her wares were often sold even before they were taken to the markets” Read also Funsho Adeolu throws star-studded carnival-like final burial for late mum, Pasuma, others sighted in video She produced pottery pieces that were influenced by the Gbagyi tradition during her first professional years. With the help of a famous English studio potter, Michael Cardew, Kwali came to international prominence for her talents in the 1950s. Cardew, who was appointed to the post of pottery officer in the department of commerce and industry in 1951, launched the Abuja Pottery Training Centre along with Kwali in 1952 and spent the following fifteen years teaching and learning from Nigerian potters. Kwali would later join the Abuja pottery and become its first female potter. She later became an instructor Ladi’s pots were noted for their beauty of form and decoration. The Emir of Abuja, Alhaji Suleiman Barau acquired several pots made by Ladi. In the palace of the Emir was where Michael Cardew saw Ladi’s work in 1950. Ladi Kwali would later become prominent after this discovery by Cardew Read also Iftar: Rare photos reveal foods President Buhari eats at break of Ramadan fast Her pots became art objects and were also featured in international exhibitions of Abuja pottery organised by Cardew in 1958, 1959 and 1962. Her pottery was also displayed during Nigeria’s independence celebrations in 1960. Kwali and Cardew toured America in 1972, and at the Berkeley Galleries in London, her works was shown to great acclaim. Her works - glazed dishes, bowls and beakers, which she created with stylised animal sgraffito, were the works for which she was best known. These works were a great asset in the popularity of Abuja pottery beyond the shores of Africa. Below is the list of her awards and achievements: Read also FG announces date for 2021 Eid-ul-Maulud public holiday PAY ATTENTION: Install our latest app for Android, read best news on Nigeria’s #1 news app After Cardew died the previous year, Kwali died on August 12, 1984 at the age of 59 in Minna. Faces of Nigeria: Meet multi-talented 10-year-old who makes images with toothpicks - on Legit.ng TV Source: Legit.ng Many Nigerians are oblivious to the story of the woman whose picture adorns the back of 20 naira note they spend on a daily. At the back of the 20 naira note is Ladi Kwali’s picture, a celebrated potter who hailed from the northern part of Nigeria. READ ALSO: PAY ATTENTION: