Culture

Adamawa Government Revokes Atiku Waziri Adamawa Title

Published

1 year ago

June 25, 2025

Adamawa State Government revokes Atiku Abubakar’s Waziri title under a new policy that restricts emirate titles to indigenes of specific districts

Adamawa revokes Atiku title in a move that has sparked widespread conversation about identity, tradition, and politics in Northern Nigeria.

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The state government, led by Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has formally withdrawn the prestigious traditional title of Waziri Adamawa from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

This decision, outlined in an official circular dated 20 June 2025, was signed by Adama Felicity Mamman, the Permanent Secretary of the Department of Chieftaincy Affairs.

The policy is part of a wider restructuring of the traditional institution, following the creation of several new chiefdoms across the state.

Under the new directive, only those indigenous to Yola South, Yola North, Girei, Mayo-Belwa, Song, and Zumo districts are eligible to hold emirate titles or serve on traditional councils in the Adamawa Emirate.

It is not personal. The restructuring is aimed at protecting the cultural integrity of each chiefdom.

Atiku, who hails from Jada Local Government Area within the Ganye Chiefdom, is therefore disqualified by the updated criteria.

The Waziri Adamawa is second only to the Lamido in the traditional hierarchy of the Adamawa Emirate.

Its revocation from such a nationally prominent figure underscores the state’s commitment to localised representation within its chieftaincy structure.

Although no direct statement has been issued by Atiku Abubakar or his aides, the development has drawn mixed reactions across political and traditional circles.

While some view it as a bureaucratic reorganisation aimed at cultural preservation, others interpret it as a political slight, given Atiku’s longstanding influence in the region.

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For now, the Adamawa Government maintains that the policy is designed to streamline traditional governance in accordance with cultural boundaries and emerging administrative needs.

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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.”

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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.”