Culture

Akwa Ibom promotes arts, culture, language revival at children’s summit

Published

1 year ago

June 17, 2025

Akwa Ibom Children’s Arts and Culture Summit

At the 2025 Children’s Arts and Culture Summit, Akwa Ibom urges youth to embrace culture, hard work and revive the state’s fading indigenous language

The Akwa Ibom Children’s Summit kicked off with a vibrant display of culture and renewed calls for the revival of the State’s indigenous language.

Also read: Akwa Ibom to host world tourism summit in September

The 2025 Children’s Arts and Culture Summit, hosted by the Centre for Arts and Culture in Uyo, brought together secondary school students from across the State to celebrate heritage, creativity and identity under the theme For Every Child: Culture My Motivation, My Voice.

Speaking at the event, the State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Anieti Udofia, emphasised the need for children to embody the values of hard work, resilience, integrity and excellence.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Grace Akpan, the Commissioner urged schools to incorporate indigenous languages into their curriculum, warning that vernacular in Akwa Ibom is nearing extinction.

“We want you to be proud of your identity and culture as a true son and daughter of Akwa Ibom State,” the Commissioner said, commending the Centre’s Director, Dr. Unwana Joshua, for a well-organised summit aligned with Governor Umo Eno’s ARISE Agenda for tourism development.

The three-day summit features debates, indigenous cuisine contests, cultural performances and the cutting of the 2025 Children’s Festival cake. One of the highlights was the presentation of an Award of Honour to IniAbasi George Essien, popularly known as Mighty George.

In his remarks, the Commissioner reiterated the Governor’s commitment to cultural development, describing Pastor Umo Eno as a tourism-friendly leader who has prioritised the creative economy as a tool for youth empowerment.

Also read: Akwa Ibom Government pledges to protect heritage sites for tourism development

The event attracted wide participation from government officials, tourism stakeholders, educators and culture advocates, with former Commissioner Otuekong Emmanuel Ibiok serving as Chairman of the occasion.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 month 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.”