Culture

Kwara Speaker Pledges Legislative Backing For Culture, Tourism

Published

3 years ago

November 7, 2023

Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Engr. Yakubu Danladi- Salihu, has pledged requisite legislative support for the state government to harness the potential in the cultural and tourism sector.

Danladi-Salihu made the pledge while speaking with newsmen at the 2023 Gaani Festival of Gwanara Emirate in Baruten local government area of the state.

The speaker urged the people of the state to rally round Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq in his quest to make the state economically viable with culture and tourism as a catalyst.

He noted that AbdulRazaq’s administration has shown its commitment to use culture and tourism to stimulate the state economy, especially with heavy investment in the creative industry.

He explained that the governor has also given priority to promotion of culture in the three senatorial districts of the state through annual celebration of festivals of local communities.

The speaker commended the people of Gwanara for trooping out in large numbers for the commemoration of Gaani festival.

“As far as culture is concerned, Governor of Kwara has been doing wonderfully well to promote our cultural heritage. I know since 2019 till date, the state government has been contributing to Gaani and festivals in other senatorial districts, and obviously, the direction of these festivals are changing.

“We urge the governor to keep up the work, and as legislators, we will support him to promote culture and tourism”, the speaker said.

The Emir of Okuta and chairman, Baruten Emirate Council, Alhaji Idris Abubakar Shero, said the festival was not new to the people of Batonum, describing it as an inheritance from the progenitor of Borgu kingdom.

The Emir of Gwanara, Alh Abdullahi Sabi Idris, who spoke through Magaji Ngeri of Gwanara, Alh Ahmed Aliyu, recalled that the festival was fashioned out of Eid-el-Maulud, the period designated for the celebration of birth of Prophet Muhammad in Islam.

He said the occasion provided a rare opportunity for a reunion among the people of the town beyond its economic impact.

Up Next

Monarch tasks Nigerians on community development

Don't Miss

Cross River community protests nonreinstatement of suspended traditional ruler

Click to comment

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.”