Culture

Iba Gani Adams Champions Cultural Harmony, Calls for Tolerance

Published

10 months ago

November 6, 2025

Iba Gani Adams urges religious leaders to foster peace and cultural tolerance, promoting Yoruba heritage through the global Olokun Festival

Iba Gani Adams has called on religious leaders to encourage peace and allow their members to participate in cultural practices without prejudice, stressing that culture and religion, though interconnected in human life, are distinct and should never be confused.

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The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland and Chief Promoter of the Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) made the appeal while speaking about the enduring significance of the annual Olokun Festival.

He emphasised that culture defines identity and that diminishing traditional heritage weakens a people’s moral and spiritual foundation.

Adams, revered as a custodian of Yoruba culture, noted that many of today’s global crises—including insecurity, poverty, and religious intolerance—stem from ignorance and the erosion of traditional values.

He warned that religious conflicts in particular often leave lasting scars on communities.

Highlighting the powerful essence of the Olokun Festival, now in its 23rd year, Adams described it as a celebration that brings abundance, wealth, fulfilment, and good health to its faithful participants.

“The blessings of the festival are encompassing,” he said. “It symbolises prosperity and divine grace for those who honour their roots.”

He revealed that the foundation has acquired a permanent site, Kakanfo Falola Beach, which he described as spiritually inspired.

He assured that the location would soon evolve into a world-class tourism and cultural destination, reflecting the growing global influence of the festival.

Also read: Igbo Day Ghana 2025 Postponed by Organisers

Through his advocacy, Iba Gani Adams continues to stand as a voice for cultural pride and interfaith understanding, championing the message that peace and progress thrive where heritage and faith coexist with mutual respect.

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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.”

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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.”