Culture

Adamawa Cultural Festival Promotes Native Identity

Published

11 months ago

October 5, 2025

Adamawa Cultural Festival promotes native identity as Nigerians are urged to adopt native names to preserve culture and celebrate unity in diversity

Adamawa Cultural Festival has once again brought Nigeria’s cultural richness to the fore, as calls for citizens to adopt native names to preserve their heritage echoed powerfully across Yola on Saturday during the 2025 World Tourism Day celebration.

Also read: Adamawa to host ADAFEST 2025 as Governor Fintiri revives cultural showcase

The event, themed ‘Tourism for Sustainable Transformation’, gathered various ethnic groups including Fulani, Bachama, Igbo, Tiv, Margi, and Laka, who paraded the streets of Yola in colourful traditional attire from the Total Flyover to the Unity Flyover and Underpass near the Government House.

President General of the Igbo Cultural Union in Adamawa State, Chief Emmanuel Nwabueze Aneke, told journalists that the revival of native naming traditions was essential to preserving Nigeria’s cultural roots.

“On this World Tourism Day, I am advocating that we use our native names,” Aneke said. “That’s why I add Nwabueze to my name. Everyone needs to go back to their roots. We must embrace our heritage.”

The state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Aloysius Babadoke, also spoke during the celebration, emphasising that the Adamawa Cultural Festival symbolises unity in diversity and supports Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s transformation agenda.

Babadoke said the event not only showcased the harmony among the state’s ethnic groups but also underscored tourism’s growing role as a catalyst for economic growth and social transformation.

He noted that Adamawa’s rich traditions and evolving tourism landscape continue to attract attention across Nigeria, reflecting the power of culture to unite people and strengthen identity.

Also read: Adamawa State Partners With Monarchs To Promote Cultural Heritage

As the sounds of drums and dances echoed through Yola, the Adamawa Cultural Festival stood as a vivid reminder that embracing cultural heritage beginning with native names remains a vital path toward preserving Nigeria’s collective identity.

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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.”