Culture

Economic Prosperity: Plans Underway to Rejuvenate Ogbomosoland Cultural Heritage, Says Former Presidential Aide

Published

2 years ago

August 12, 2024

Economic Prosperity: Plans Underway to Rejuvenate Ogbomosoland Cultural Heritage, Says Former Presidential Aide

Former Special Adviser on Information and Culture to former President Muhammadu Buhari, now Chair, Ogbomosoland Committee for Arts and Culture, Prince Williams Adeleye, has revealed plans are underway to rejuvenate the cultural heritage of Ogbomosoland.

This will also include showcasing its cultural values to the outside world, with the intent of promoting peace, creating jobs, and developing the city economically.

Ogbomosoland consists of five local government councils in Oyo State. They are Ogbomos South LGA, Ogbomoso North LGA, Surulere LGA, Ogo Oluwa LGA and Orire LGA.

Speaking with Akonitv in Ilorin over the weekend on the sideline of the recent meeting of the committee, Adeleye stated: “Many countries, including the United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Kenya, South Africa, and Rwanda, have thrived on tourism.

“And we are aligning with the position of the federal and state governments in promoting domestic tourism, arts and culture.

“Apart from the rich cultural heritage, Ogbomosoland is blessed with a wealth of tourism potential, historical relics, and artifacts, including ancient palaces, shrines, cultural festivals, deities, masquerades, and various forms of cuisine that attract both local and foreign visitors”.

“Ajomogbodo, the Egungun that is supernaturally capable of sitting comfortably in air or space without the aid of a stool or chair, Danafojura, whose mystery is bathing in fire while shouting of cold, Ayilere whose attribute is wallowing in any available muddy water; Arenugbongi with a mouth protruding like birds’ beak, the energetic Lobanika, the king’s Egungun that brandishes poisoned sword and many more are still much more around and they will display during the festival.

“Festivals are celebrated annually in Ogbomosoland. The Egungun festival and Odun Oole Oba, a special cuisine festival, have been particularly popular, attracting tourists from both within and outside the country.

“We are now working towards rejuvenating the cultural heritage and showcasing it to the world, with the intent of promoting peace, creating jobs, and developing the city economically”.

He therefore said that, the committee has lined up series of activities scheduled to hold between December 19 and 24, 2024 in the town so as to showcase the cultural and tourism potentials of Ogbomosoland.

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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.

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.”