Culture

Lagos hosts 100s of returnee Africans Oct 19 in Badagry

Published

3 years ago

October 11, 2023

Badagry, an ancient city in Lagos State, will host a historical, spiritual and economic event, tagged ‘Fourth Door of Return’, where hundreds of Diaspora Africans are returning next week Saturday.

High point of the event would see Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu walking through the door to welcome the returnees, led by Dr. Julius Marcus-Garvey. In a statement, yesterday, the programme would be held from October 19 to 21 in the historic town.

Addressing the press in Ikeja, Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, noted that the event would not not only be of economic, physical and spiritual benefits to Lagos residents, but also to the people living abroad.

She said various activities had been lined up and dignitaries invited to positively project Lagos as a tourist attraction and culture hub to the world.

Dabiri-Erewa, who commended the governor for his administration’s tremendous support for the event, reiterated that the programme promises economic, physical and spiritual benefits to signify a return to the door of joy, peace, prosperity and progress.

She stated: “What Bagadry has, no place in the world has it. Door of Return is going to be the biggest tourism event from Badagry, Lagos and Nigeria.”

Also speaking, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, restated the government’s commitment to unveiling the hidden treasures of Badagry and the state to the world through the programme.

Decrying the inhumane treatment meted out to the ancestors over 400 years ago, she reassured that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration is committed to restoring the joy of every black man.

Chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tourism and Culture, Solomon Bonu, pledged lawmakers’ support for the project.

Related Topics:Badagry Culture Featured Lagos

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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.”