Culture

ADUN Lagos set for 12th biannual Awka Day 2024

Published

2 years ago

July 9, 2024

ADUN Lagos set for 12th biannual Awka Day 2024

The Awka Development Union, Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, the umbrella body of indigenes of the community in Lagos, has outlined a series of events to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and traditions of Awka town in Anambra State at its 12th biannual Awka Day celebration.

The events lined for this year’s celebrations are weaved together with tradition, regality, and opulence.

Chief Francis Sequence Anagor, Chairman of Awka Day 2024 Planning Committee, said that the weeklong event will feature youth day, couples’ night and empowerment day for indigents of the community.

According to Anagor, the event will end on November 23 with a march past by all the villages as well as awards to some deserving members of the community.

He said: “Importantly, there will be live display of our blacksmithing craft.

“Like you are aware, blacksmithing products of Awka of different shapes adorn homes, offices and museums across the world especially in British and American museums.

“All of these tell the story of the Awka man as the originator of blacksmithing trade across the world.

“The event is very important to us because it brings together seven Igbo groups sharing common blood lineage divided into two sections.

“Ifite Section, the senior section, comprises four groups, Ayom-na-Okpala, Nkwelle, Amachalla, and Ifite-Oka followed by Ezinator section, which consists of three groups, Amikwo, Ezi-Oka and Agulu. Each of these groups has a number of villages. All together, Awka comprises 33 villages.”

Anagor said that ADUN Lagos has been an agency through which innovations and development purposes are achieved for the community.

As an agent of social change, ADUN Lagos has demonstrated that, through collective action, it can improve on their material conditions of existence, mobilise against the out-group, and defend a common cause.

Awka is the capital of Anambra State and the region in ancient times was the site of the Nri Civilisation that produced the earliest documented bronze works in Sub-Saharan Africa around 800 AD.

Prior to the 20th century, Awka was famous for metal working.

Its blacksmiths were prized throughout the region for making farming implements, weapons and tools.

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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.”