Culture

CHRICED Hails Oba Ewuare II for Rejecting Iyaloja Title

Published

11 months ago

October 6, 2025

CHRICED hails Oba Ewuare II for rejecting the Iyaloja title, calling his stance a bold defence of Benin tradition and indigenous governance

CHRICED hails Oba Ewuare II for what it described as a bold and principled defence of Benin culture following the monarch’s rejection of an attempt to impose the Iyaloja structure on Edo State markets.

Also read: Oba of Benin New Yam Festival Begins Sept 30

The Centre for Human Rights and Civic Education (CHRICED), in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Dr Ibrahim M. Zikirullahi, commended the Oba of Benin for “his courageous and culturally grounded response” to what it termed an “alien imposition.”

The group said the monarch’s decision marked “a pivotal moment in the defence of indigenous governance and democratic accountability in Nigeria.”

According to CHRICED, the proposal led by Mrs Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, seeking to install Pastor Josephine Ivbazebule as Iyaloja of all Edo markets, was an attempt “to transplant a Lagos-Yoruba-rooted title into the sacred commercial spaces of the Benin Kingdom, disregarding centuries of tradition and spiritual order.”

Dr Zikirullahi lauded Oba Ewuare II for reaffirming that Benin markets are traditionally governed by the Iyeki leaders selected by traders and confirmed by the palace.

“Oba Ewuare II’s response was clear, courageous, and culturally grounded. He reaffirmed that the Iyeki are not mere administrators but custodians of sacred shrines and emissaries of the Oba’s spiritual authority,” the statement read.

CHRICED noted that, unlike the Iyaloja-General system common in the South-West, especially Lagos, the Benin model is decentralised, based on communal consensus and spiritual stewardship.

“To undermine this system is to desecrate the very identity of the Benin people,” the rights group warned, urging respect for the cultural and spiritual sovereignty of traditional institutions.

CHRICED further called on political actors to desist from imposing external cultural frameworks on indigenous communities, saying such acts threaten Nigeria’s plural heritage.

Also read: Oba of Benin Council Bill Opposition Sparks Edo Outrage

The group reaffirmed its support for the Oba’s stance, describing it as a significant stand for cultural dignity, self-determination, and the preservation of ancestral values.

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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.”