Culture

I run to promote tourism, humanity, says ‘World Wrapper Man’

Published

2 years ago

May 8, 2024

An adventurer, Adjarho Obaro, popularly called “World Wrapper Man”, says his decision to embark on running across the nation and other countries is to promote tourism and humanity.

It was reported that Obaro is a multiple marathoner and he is known as the “World Wrapper Man” because he has participated in several runs – not in tracksuits or conventional athletic gear – but in his native Uhrobo attire, which comes with a 37-yard wrapper.

In 2015, he spent 22 days running from Lagos to Abuja.

Others are Lagos to Makurdi, 900km, 40 days; Lagos to Onitsha, 650km, 17 days; Lagos to Ughelli, 506km, 12 days, and Abeokuta to Lagos 102km, three days.

Also, he has participated in the Bucharest City Marathon (2010), Bucharest International Marathon (2011), Club Marathon (2011), Bucharest International Marathon (2012), Bucharest Half-Marathon (2012), Triathlon Challenge, and the Lagos Half-Marathon (2015).

55-year-old Obaro in an interview with NAN in Lagos on Tuesday, said that each of his marathon activities were purposefully done to draw attention to certain issues that should be addressed in the society.

He said it was also meant to promote domestic tourism as many Nigerians preferred to travel for leisure rather than looking inwards.

He noted that aside his love for running, he had also realised it was the easiest form of exercise anyone could embrace to keep fit, stay healthy and improve one’s mood.

“I started running to showcase Nigerian culture, promoting tourism and humanity in 2015.

“In Nigeria, I have been to 32 states including the Federal Capital Territory. I have not been to Jigawa, Borno, Taraba and Katsina states.

“Lagos to Abuja took me 22 days and that was when I created awareness on the essence of education; Lagos to Onitsha was done in 19 days when I campaigned against piracy.

“Lagos to Makurdi was to draw attention to the flood victims then in Benue state; Lagos to Ughelli in Delta state was done in 12 days, to create awareness on the essence of education, and Abeokuta to Lagos was done in three days to raise funds for the blind in the society,” he said.

Obaro called on the Federal Government and well meaning Nigerians to support and sponsor his cause.

According to him, his next project will be running around the ECOWAS countries to draw attention to visa procurement issues.

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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.”