Culture

Osun State Pledges Global Recognition for Olojo Festival

Published

12 months ago

September 24, 2025

Osun State pledges global recognition for Olojo festival as government and sponsors commit to sustaining Nigeria’s cultural heritage

Osun State pledges global recognition for Olojo festival as the government and major sponsors reaffirmed their commitment to promoting the historic celebration beyond Nigeria’s borders.

Also read: Adron Homes Partners Olojo Festival 2025, Promotes Yoruba Culture, Unity

The assurance was made during an engagement with the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, held at his palace in Ile-Ife over the weekend.

The event brought together sponsors, media representatives, and cultural stakeholders ahead of the 2025 edition of the festival.

The Olojo Festival, regarded as one of the oldest cultural celebrations in Yorubaland, will run from 20 to 29 September in Ile-Ife under the theme “Tourism for Inclusive Growth with Cultural Rebirth.”

Representing Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Osun State Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Ojo Abiodun, pledged continuous support for the festival.

“The government will continue to provide annual support and promote the Olojo Festival even beyond Nigeria’s borders,” he said.

An elated Ooni expressed gratitude to sponsors for their sustained backing, offering prayers for national development and urging corporate bodies and well-meaning Nigerians to partner in advancing the yearly celebration.

“The Yoruba race remains the largest worldwide, with the Olojo Festival as its strongest natural heritage,” the monarch declared.

Sponsors including MTN, Seaman’s Schnapps, Adron Homes and Properties, and Nigerian Breweries commended the Ooni’s leadership and promised continued sponsorship.

Adenike Ajobo, Managing Director of Adron Group, described the Olojo Festival as more than a celebration, but “a heritage treasure that projects Ile-Ife as the cradle of Yoruba civilisation and Nigeria’s rich traditions to the world stage.”

Also read: Olojo Festival: Ooni pleads with Nigerians to support Tinubu

She added that this year’s theme captures the festival’s role in strengthening local economies, fostering unity, and positioning culture as a driver of both social cohesion and economic progress.

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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.”