Culture

Coronation ceremony for the 49th Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland set for May 23, 2025

Published

1 year ago

May 1, 2025

The coronation of Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, the 49th Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, will be a week-long celebration culminating in the formal ceremony on May 23, 2025, in Ilesa, Osun State

The ancient kingdom of Ijesaland is set to witness a momentous occasion as the coronation ceremony for its 49th Owa Obokun Adimula and Paramount Ruler, His Royal Majesty Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, will commence on May 16, 2025.

Also read: Culture Minister congratulates new Alaafin on coronation

The week-long celebration will culminate in the formal coronation of the esteemed former Deputy Governor of Osun State on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Owa’s Palace in Ilesa.

Chief Shola Oshunkeye, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the Coronation Committee, announced the schedule of events in a statement released on Thursday.

He emphasized that all activities will be held in Ilesa, the heartland of Ijesaland, promising an “iconic representation of royal pageantry rarely witnessed in this clime.”

The coronation festivities will begin on Friday, May 16, with a Jumat service at the Ilesa Central Mosque at 1 p.m. This will be followed by a vibrant cultural celebration at the Obokungbusi Hall on Saturday, May 17, and a grand Isese Night at the palace courtyard later that evening.

Strong indications have already emerged that the epoch would be an iconic representation of royal pageantry rarely witnessed in this clime,” stated Chief Shola Oshunkeye, Chairman of the Media and Publicity Sub-Committee of the Coronation Committee.

The week’s program continues on Monday, May 19, with royal visits to various Ijesa zones between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, will feature the grand finale of coronation sporting activities, commencing with the Owa Ajimoko III Ijesa Marathon at 7 a.m., followed by the final of the coronation football competition, medal presentation, and awards ceremony at the Ilesa Grammar School Sports arena from 10 a.m.

Wednesday, May 21, will be dedicated to charity, with visits to orphanages in and around Ilesa by eminent personalities starting at 10 a.m. The day will also include a video documentary and workshop organized by the Ijesa Mineral Resources Development Forum (IMRDF) at the University of Ilesa in the afternoon.

Sporting events return on Thursday, May 22, with a golf kitty and a symposium at the Royal Park International Hotel, Iloko-Ijesa, where the Ajimoko III Foundation will unveil its scholarship and empowerment scheme.

The highly anticipated coronation ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 23, followed by a grand reception at the Ilesa Grammar School at 1 p.m. The events are expected to draw a distinguished array of dignitaries from across Nigeria.

The week-long celebrations will conclude on Sunday, May 25, with a thanksgiving service at the Methodist Church, Otapete, Ilesa.

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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.”