Culture

FCMB reaffirms Ojude Oba support, citing festival’s role in economic growth

Published

1 year ago

May 30, 2025

FCMB Group Plc reaffirms its nearly 25-year commitment to the Ojude Oba festival, highlighting its role as a platform for cultural expression, trade, investment, and inclusive growth, ahead of the June 8, 2025 celebration

FCMB Group Plc has reiterated its longstanding commitment to the iconic Ojude Oba festival, emphasizing its role as a crucial platform to drive trade, investment, and foster inclusive and sustainable growth through arts, crafts, tourism, and hospitality.

Also read: Unlocking Nigeria’s Tourism Potential through Ojude Oba Festival

Speaking ahead of this year’s event, which follows closely on the heels of the Sallah celebration, FCMB’s Divisional Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Diran Olojo, highlighted the financial services firm’s view of the festival as both a vibrant cultural expression and a catalyst for economic development.

This year’s festival, themed ‘Ojude Oba: Celebrating Our Roots, Preserving Our Future’, is scheduled for Sunday, June 8, 2025.

With a rich history spanning over a century, the festival traditionally attracts thousands of participants and observers from across Nigeria and the diaspora.

It has evolved into a significant convergence point for traditional leadership, burgeoning businesses, and communal identity, underscoring the vital intersection of culture and development.

In a statement made available on Thursday, Olojo elaborated on FCMB’s enduring support. “’Ojude Oba’ reflects the type of society we’re working to build, one that values legacy, unity, and long-term prosperity. Our support, which began nearly 25 years ago, is rooted in the vision of our late founder, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, who believed in the role of culture in enterprise development and community advancement. This belief remains a cornerstone of our purpose – to connect people, capital and markets,” he said.

Ojude Oba’ reflects the type of society we’re working to build, one that values legacy, unity, and long-term prosperity.

FCMB has pledged to deepen its engagement by actively participating in various traditional activities, including the vibrant ‘regberegbe’ parade and the revered homage to the Awujale, the traditional ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

Olojo clarified that the bank’s involvement extends beyond mere sponsorship. “We see our role as helping to reinforce traditions that have socio-economic value. Festivals like Ojude Oba create demand across tourism, hospitality, and small business sectors while preserving the culture that binds us,” he noted.

Olu Okuboyejo, Chairman of the Ojude Oba Festival Organising Committee, praised corporate sponsors like FCMB, acknowledging their crucial role in showcasing cultural continuity and promoting religious harmony.

“This year, 25 warrior families will demonstrate their horse-riding prowess alongside colourful ‘regberegbe’ displays. The festival remains a gift from Ijebuland to Nigeria and beyond,” he proudly stated.

Mr. Sesan Fagbayi, Ogun State’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, further emphasized the state government’s focus on expanding the festival’s international appeal and economic significance.

He concluded, ”Ojude Oba is not just a celebration – it’s a strategic cultural asset. We’re working to ensure this year’s edition delivers lasting value.”

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week 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.”