Culture

Afiolu Nnewi Festival Celebrates Culture, Resilience

Published

1 year ago

September 3, 2025

Afiolu Nnewi Festival celebrates Igbo culture, youth empowerment, and heritage with massive turnout, innovations, and royal support

Afiolu Nnewi Festival lit up the historic city of Nnewi, Anambra State, as traditional leaders, dignitaries, and cultural enthusiasts gathered to celebrate Igbo heritage, youth empowerment, and resilience in grand style.

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Held at the vibrant Nkwo Nnewi Triangle, the 2025 edition of the age-old New Yam Festival drew massive crowds over a four-day celebration, climaxing with a spectacular closing ceremony powered by Life Continental Lager Beer.

“Culture and tradition are fundamental to the development of human society,” said HRH Igwe Dr Kenneth Orizu III, represented by Crown Prince Obianefo Orizu.

“This festival unites our people, promotes peace, and strengthens our agricultural identity.”

More than just a cultural celebration, the Afiolu Nnewi Festival has evolved into a dynamic platform for promoting community unity, youth development, and economic growth.

The festival showcased traditional music, dance, crafts, and culinary displays rooted in Igbo customs.

Prince Jude Osumuo, President General of Nzuko-Ora Nnewi, thanked all contributors for making the event exceptional, with special recognition given to Life Beer for introducing creative innovations that particularly engaged the youth.

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo, represented by Commissioner for Tourism and Culture, Don Onyenji, praised the festival’s transformation into a tourism magnet.

“The participation of Life Beer has elevated Afiolu Nnewi to the level of international cultural tourism,” said Onyenji.

Sarah Agha, Marketing Director of Nigerian Breweries Plc, expressed the brand’s joy at being warmly received by the people of Nnewi.

“The values of Life Continental Lager Beer align with the ambition and resilience of the Ndi Igbo. We are proud to celebrate this culture and will continue to support it,” Agha said.

The 2025 edition delivered a rich cultural experience, including:

Traditional wrestling competition (won by Uruagu-Nnewi)
Yam-based cooking contest and culinary displays
Masquerade parades and music performances
Souvenir giveaways by Life Beer
Festival cake-cutting and artistic showcases

The presence of key personalities like Chief Cletus Ibeto (Omenkannaya), Senator Emma Nwachukwu, Chief George Moghalu, Olisa Metuh, and other notable figures further underscored the event’s prestige.

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The Afiolu Nnewi Festival remains a powerful symbol of unity, agricultural pride, and Igbo identity, with this year’s edition setting new standards through thoughtful corporate partnerships and community participation.

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As Nnewi looks to the future, the successful 2025 celebration affirms the community’s commitment to preserving its cultural legacy while creating modern opportunities for growth and development.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

4 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.”