Culture

Olubadan-designate Vows to Restore Ibadan’s Lost Glory

Published

12 months ago

September 25, 2025

Olubadan-designate Oba Rashidi Ladoja pledges to restore Ibadan’s past glory, promising inclusive leadership and crime reduction

Olubadan-designate Oba Rashidi Ladoja has assured the people of Ibadan of dedicated and inclusive leadership as he prepares for his coronation.

Also read: Oyo Restricts Traffic for Olubadan Rashidi Ladoja’s Coronation Ceremony

In an interview with City People Magazine, the former governor said his priority would be to restore Ibadan’s past glory, strengthen community participation and create a safe, welcoming environment for residents and visitors.

“They should expect a lot. I am coming to work. I know what I want Ibadan to be. Let’s bring it back to its old glory, when it was the capital of the old Western Region,” he said.

Reflecting on his professional journey, Ladoja recalled his early career at Total Nigeria before moving into entrepreneurship and politics.

He noted that Ibadan is blessed with capable individuals, both indigenes and non-indigenes, who must be fully engaged in the city’s progress.

Citing examples, he praised former minister Frank Nweke Jnr for his role in completing Ibadan’s channelisation project, despite not being of Ibadan origin. He also recalled Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s fond identification with the city.

The monarch-designate stressed his desire to see an Ibadan free of crime and guided by integrity, recalling the carefree childhood days when children roamed the city singing Were music without fear.

“I want Ibadan to be what I used to know… But now, crime is increasing,” he lamented.

He revealed that he has already begun engaging Mogajis and Baales, encouraging them to live among their people to provide guidance and support.

“Essentially, we want to bring back an Ibadan that was acceptable and welcoming. When they say Ibadan ngba onile, o ngba alejo, that is because they are accommodating.

I believe we can still create that, particularly with the setup we have now,” he said.

Also read: Olubadan Coronation: Tinubu, Royals, Ladoja Set for History

With his coronation approaching, Oba Ladoja has set high expectations, positioning himself as a monarch committed to inclusivity, unity and the revival of Ibadan’s rich heritage.

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks 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.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

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.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

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.”