Culture

Abia Hotels Get Free Grading in State Initiative

Published

7 months ago

February 19, 2026

Abia State launches hospitality grading exercise at no cost to hotels, bars, and restaurants to boost tourism and industry standards

The Abia State Government has announced that owners of hotels, bars, lounges, and restaurants in the state will not pay any fees for the upcoming hospitality grading and classification exercise.

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The announcement was made on Thursday by Chibuzo Ehiemere, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, during a stakeholders’ engagement meeting in Aba.

The meeting, organised to reposition the state’s hospitality industry, followed a recent Memorandum of Understanding signed between the government and Amena Hospitality and Tourism Innovative Technology to digitise and standardise hospitality services across Abia.

Addressing stakeholders, Ehiemere reassured business owners that the grading exercise will be fully funded by the state.

“I know that the unspoken question in your hearts is, ‘How much is government going to ask you to pay?’ But His Excellency has decided that this grading will be fully funded by the state and not by you,” she said.

Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mathew Ekwuribe, highlighted Governor Alex Otti’s vision to unify and promote the hospitality sector.

“The main purpose of this grading is to bring all the hospitality industry together and expose them to travellers, so visitors can have confidence in where they are going to stay,” Ekwuribe explained.

He added that the initiative also aims to develop 55 natural heritage sites, including Azummiri River, Aro Waterfall, and giant caves, into tourist centres.

Edosa Eghobamien, Managing Director of Amena Hospitality and Tourism Innovative Technology, said the exercise would help establishments meet global best practices.

“The Hospitality and Tourism Grading and Classification is a systematic evaluation process assessing service delivery, facility infrastructure, operational efficiency, hygiene, safety, and customer experience benchmarks,” he said.

Also read: AFRI-LATAM CONNECT 2026 Launches UK Travel Roadshow

Eghobamien noted that the initiative will enhance competitiveness, boost investor confidence, and position Abia State as a preferred tourism and hospitality destination in Nigeria and beyond.

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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.

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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.”

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.”