Culture

Ayodele Olawande Praises Youth for Boosting Ekiti Tourism

Published

12 months ago

October 3, 2025

Ayodele Olawande praises Nigerian youth, saying their creativity can unlock Ekiti’s tourism potential and drive economic growth

Ayodele Olawande has praised Nigerian youth, describing their creativity as a vital force in driving the growth of the country’s tourism sector.

Also read: Ekiti International Theatre Festival to Attract 50,000 Tourists

The Minister of Youth Development spoke in Ado-Ekiti during the unveiling of Visit Ekiti, a new platform designed to showcase the state’s cultural heritage and natural attractions to the world.

Represented by Adedamola Ogunmola, Olawande said the initiative aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to create opportunities for growth, innovation and prosperity.

He described Ekiti as a state rich in cultural and natural treasures, stressing that the Visit Ekiti project would not only promote local pride but also generate jobs and economic opportunities for young people.

“Tourism thrives on the ingenuity of young people, whether as guides, marketers, cultural curators or entrepreneurs. With Visit Ekiti, these treasures will be polished, packaged and presented to the world,” Olawande said.

Creative Director of Visit Ekiti, Ayodeji Ogunro, said the project was more than a tourism campaign, describing it as a “strategic blueprint for economic transformation” that would attract investment and empower communities.

The initiative received praise from lawmakers and stakeholders who hailed it as a laudable effort capable of transforming the state’s economy.

Also read: Ikoyi-Ekiti Cultural Festivals Celebrate Unity, Ancestral Pride

By placing young people at the centre of tourism growth, Olawande believes Ekiti can rise as a premier destination in Nigeria and Africa

Up Next

Lagos World Tourism Day 2025 Celebrates Coastal Beauty

Don't Miss

Cross River Tourism Collaboration Urged for Growth

Click to comment

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.”