Culture

Ataoja Debunks Osun Groove Sale Allegations, Urges Festival Investment

Published

1 year ago

July 13, 2025

Ataoja debunks Osun groove sale allegations, calling for infrastructure, protection and more investment from Osun Osogbo Festival sponsors

Ataoja debunks Osun groove sale claims made by critics, insisting that no part of the sacred land has been sold or encroached upon. Oba Olanipekun Jimoh Oyetunji, the Ataoja of Osogbo, addressed the issue during a summit held ahead of the 2025 Osun Osogbo Festival in Osogbo.

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Speaking at the summit themed Tradition, Trade and Transformation: Building Africa’s Global Cultural Future, Oba Oyetunji assured stakeholders that the integrity of the UNESCO-recognised Osun groove remains intact.

“The land separated by the state government for UNESCO for the Osun Osogbo groove has not been encroached upon. The land is still intact and under the watchful eyes of the Osun groove custodians,” he stated.

The monarch urged festival sponsors to invest in permanent structures and protective walls to safeguard the heritage site. He noted this would stop any potential encroachment and reduce bush burning risks.

On his part, Osun State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Abiodun Ojo, described the summit as an opportunity to showcase the state’s commitment to preserving its cultural identity.

“Culture is all about identity and promotion. Osun Osogbo is one of the major cultural heritages and one of the two UNESCO-recognised heritage sites in Nigeria,” Ojo said.

Also read: Your Leadership is Model for Progressives, Says Senator Husain to Osun APC Chairman

He also highlighted the need for a creative economy to provide opportunities for youth while calling attention to the sacrifices made in maintaining and sponsoring the festival.

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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.”

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.”