Culture

De Landro, Trinidad & Tobago High Commissioner, Installed Aare Atunluto Of Ilara Kingdom

Published

3 years ago

July 17, 2023

All roads led to the sprawling palace of the Alara of Ilara Kingdom in Epe, Lagos State, last Friday.

It was the installation of the High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago to Nigeria, His Excellency Wendell De Landro, as the Aare Atunluto by His Royal Majesty, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo (Telade IV).

Friday’s honorary chieftaincy totle installation was the culmination of a two-day ceremony that also witnessed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Kabiyesi and the High Commissioner.

The signing of the MoU therefore signifies the beginning of a special relations between Ilara-Epe of Lagos State and Trinidad and Tobago.
As the Aare Atunluto, H.E Wendell is expected, and has promised, to facilitate a series of mutually-beneficial measures between Ilara-Epe and the tourism-friendly country in the heart of the Carribeans.

The soft-spoken High Commissioner says his impact will be felt in the areas of trade and investment, education and human capacity development as well as culture and tourism.

“Trinidad and Tobago is considered the most heterogeneous island in the Carribeans and can be considered a melting pot when it comes to the cultural and ethnic make-up of its people,” the diplomat said.

To demonstrate his commitment to the MoU and strengthening of the 60-year-old bilateral relations between Nigeria and the beautiful country on the Carribean Island, Oba Ogunsanwo will next week lead a delegation to this year’s edition of the Trade & Investment Conference in Trinidad and Tobago.

Ogunsanwo was Chairman of the Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) before his installation as a traditional monarch.

Friday’s ceremony was witnessed by several chiefs of Ilara Kingdom like Chief Jelil Olayemi, Asoju Oba of Ilara; Chief Charles Keshinro, Odofin of Ilara; Chief Owolabi Talabi, Olisa of Ilara and Chief Azeez Balogun, Ekeji of Ilara.

Others were Col Rotimi Vaughan, Honourary Consul Designate of Trinidad & Tobago; Mr. Steve Ayorinde, former Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts & Culture; Engineer Adejuwon Badejo and, of course, the wife of Kabiyesi, Olori A. Ogunsanwo, who beautifully hosted the reception.

Source: TCN

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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.”