Culture

Isese Day: Ogun govt commits to fostering inclusiveness of all religions

Published

2 years ago

August 22, 2024

Isese Day: Ogun govt commits to fostering inclusiveness of all religions

The Dapo Abiodun-led administration has said it will continue to promote religious tolerance and ensure peaceful co-existence among various adherents in the state.

Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Oluwasesan Fagbayi, stated this during the 2024 ‘Isese’ Day celebration held in Abeokuta on Tuesday.

Fagbayi maintained that celebrating the rich cultural heritage and traditions, giving necessary support to traditional institutions, as well as enhancing the promotion of Indigenous tradition would preserve Yoruba traditional religion.

The Commissioner represented by Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Quudus Yusuff, noted that the colourful display by different traditional religious sects at the celebration was proof that the Day was worthy of being recognised as an international event, to attract tourists across the globe, thereby enhancing the tourism potential of the state.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Ogun State Alternative Medicine Board, OGAMB, who is also the Alawoerin of Egbaland, Chief Nurudeen Olaleye, enjoined all traditional worshippers across the country to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity and stability of the state and the country in general.

Speaking on the theme of the event, “Vengeance”, at Oke-Abola mountain, Saje, Abeokuta, the guest lecturer, Ojubona Akanbi, admonished people to desist from taking vengeance as the consequences were usually destructive and could hinder progress, adding that love and unity among people would prevent people from hurting others.

He charged youths to avoid acts capable of disrupting the peace and progress of the society, tasking them to add their quota to the development of the state and the nation.

Akonitv reports that August 20 was declared ‘Isese’ Day in some Western states to celebrate the Yoruba traditional religion and traditions since 2023 and is being observed simultaneously across all states in the southwest.

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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.”