Culture

Bello Rallies Ede Sons, Daughters Worldwide To Participate In AjilalaOso Festival

Published

3 months ago

May 25, 2026

We will not deviate from Ajilala Oso festival objectives – planning committee chairman assures

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Hon. Adejare Bello, has called on Ede sons and daughters across the world to participate actively in the upcoming AjilalaOso Day Festival 2026.

Also read: Ashmusy Shares Why She Feels Secure About Motherhood Without Rushing Marriage

Bello, who holds the title of Oluomo of Edeland, made the call while hosting the Prince Adewale Laoye-led planning committee for the Ajilala Oso Festival 2026 at his residence in Osogbo on Friday.

The former Ambassador to Mexico lauded the royal leadership of the Timi of Edeland, Munirudeen Adesola Lawal, Laminisa I, over the development being witnessed in the ancient town.

He prayed for the long reign of the monarch and wished Edeland continuous development and success for its indigenes across the world.

The former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, while recalling the level of development in Ede during his younger days, said, “I thank God for the development of Ede and the support being provided by all of us as indigenes.“When we were growing up, this was not how Ede was. Development has now extended to areas where we never imagined it would reach in our lifetime.

“I thank God that what our forefathers dreamed about is now becoming a reality” he added.

In his remarks, Prince Adewale Laoye appreciated Hon. Bello for his continuous support for programmes focused on the development of Ede and the empowerment of its people.

Speaking on the importance of the Ajilala Oso festival, Prince Laoye said the committee would remain committed to the festival’s objectives of promoting Ede culture and training younger Ede sons and daughters in traditional crafts associated with their forefathers.

According to him, the initiative is designed to provide sustainable livelihoods for youths while preserving the cultural heritage of the town.

He added that the promotion of well-packaged Eko ati Ila capable of attracting cultural enthusiasts from across the world also forms part of the objectives of the festival.

Also read: Ede Women Wing Donates Bedsheets in Community Support Drive

Prince Laoye further encouraged Ede indigenes in the diaspora to use the festival as an opportunity to reconnect with and learn more about the rich cultural heritage of their forefathers.

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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.”