Culture

ATPN endorses Things Fall Apart Festival 2025

Published

1 year ago

June 7, 2025

Nigeria’s leading tourism body, ATPN, has officially endorsed the Things Fall Apart Festival 2025, elevating it to a major national tourism and cultural event

Things Fall Apart Festival 2025 has received a significant boost with an official endorsement from the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN), the nation’s leading tourism association.

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This pivotal endorsement positions the festival, organised by the Centre for Memories Enugu, as a major national tourism event, complementing its already robust celebration of literature and culture.

The endorsement was formally conveyed during a courtesy visit to the Centre for Memories in Enugu by an ATPN delegation, led by Deputy President Mr. Wilson Uche Ugwu, who was representing ATPN President Mr. Adetunji Femi Fadina. Mr. Iheanyi Igboko, Executive Director of the Centre, warmly welcomed the delegation, highlighting the visit as a crucial step in fostering collaboration between Nigeria’s dynamic tourism sector and vital cultural preservation initiatives.

The ATPN delegation expressed profound admiration for the Centre’s unwavering dedication to memory, identity, and heritage. They recognised its vital role in promoting sustainable tourism throughout Nigeria, extending far beyond just the South East region.

During the visit, Mr. Ugwu officially presented the letter of endorsement for the Things Fall Apart Festival 2025 on behalf of Prince Adetunji Oluwafemi Fadina, the National President of ATPN.

The letter explicitly emphasised the strong alignment of the Centre for Memories’ work with ATPN’s core mission to promote and sustain Nigeria’s rich cultural and historical tourism assets.

“This endorsement marks a significant milestone for the Things Fall Apart Festival 2025,” stated Prince Fadina, “transforming it into a nationally recognised tourism event with a profound and lasting impact.”

He further pledged maximum collaboration, announced the Centre’s admission into ATPN membership, and generously donated souvenir bags as a gesture of support for the Festival.

The Centre for Memories expressed its considerable enthusiasm for this burgeoning partnership and reiterated its commitment to strengthening ties with key stakeholders across both the tourism and cultural sectors. As the festival, scheduled for June 29 – July 5, 2025, draws closer, excitement continues to build.

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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.”