Culture

IPADA Initiative Celebration 2025 Inspires Cultural Renaissance

Published

11 months ago

October 18, 2025

IPADA Initiative Celebration 2025 promises a powerful cultural renaissance at La Campagne Tropicana, celebrating Africa’s art, theatre and heritage

IPADA Initiative Celebration 2025 is generating palpable excitement as preparations intensify for the 10-day cultural festival scheduled to take place from 28 November to 7 December 2025 at the La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Ikegun Village, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

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The globally acclaimed event, conceived by Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, Founder and President of La Campagne and Motherland Beckons, continues to cement its place as one of Africa’s grandest celebrations of heritage, identity and tourism.

This year’s edition promises a powerful blend of culture and creativity, with theatre taking centre stage.

The highlight will be two original plays written by Cash Onadele Aiye-Ko-Ooto, performed by a talented cast of professional Nigerian artistes known for their mastery of live performance.

The organisers described the forthcoming festival as “not just a carnival, but a cultural awakening — a renaissance of art, a celebration of heritage, and an affirmation of African identity.”

According to them, IPADA 2025 will be ten magical days and nights of Africa Rising, where the continent’s theatrical heritage unfolds in its purest form — complete with drama, music, dance, costumes and lighting that recreate the splendour of African storytelling.

“Aiye-Ko-Ooto’s stories elevate theatre; they are Africa’s stories — yours, mine and ours,” the organisers said. “You don’t just come to watch; you come to become part of history, part of destiny.”

They described the performances as “a cultural revolution — a rebirth of heritage and a reclaiming of Africa’s pride.” Each drumbeat, each movement, they said, echoes one truth: “Africa is the shell to the soul of man.”

The IPADA Initiative Celebration— meaning mass exodus of people—was established to reconnect people of African descent with their roots and to reimagine Africa as a thriving hub of tourism, investment and creativity.

Supported by the Federal Government of Nigeria, various state governments, corporate bodies, and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, the event has President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its Global Ambassador, Chief Host and Grand Patron.

Akinboboye explained that the initiative is designed to attract millions from the African diaspora back to the continent.

“We have over 200 million people of African descent across the world. IPADA presents Africa in a single basket — an African shopping mall — where our brothers and sisters from the Diaspora can reconnect, invest and add value to the continent,” he said.

Lagos and Abuja have been designated as gateways to the continent, offering year-round programmes that culminate in the annual grand celebration at La Campagne Tropicana.

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As the countdown begins, anticipation builds for an unforgettable experience that promises not only entertainment but a renewed sense of cultural pride and connection to Africa’s roots.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

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Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”