Culture

Nigerian Army Honours Olota of Otta for Security Leadership at 81 Division Combat Proficiency Competition 2025

Published

1 year ago

August 22, 2025

The Olota of Otta, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, was honoured at the 81 Division Inter-Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition 2025 for his dedication to security and community collaboration.

The Nigerian Army’s 81 Division has successfully concluded the Inter–Brigade Combat Proficiency Competition 2025, a four-day event showcasing tactical excellence, endurance, and professional readiness among troops.

Also read: Olota honoured with City People Lifetime Achievement Award

The closing ceremony, held at the 192 Battalion in Owode-Yewa, was elevated by the presence of the Royal Guest of Honour, His Majesty, Oba (Professor) Adeyemi Obalanlege, Ph.D. (Lanlege Ekun II, Arole Iganmode), Olota of Otta, Aworiland.

Welcoming the Olota was the Royal Host, Oba Mathew Akindele, the Olu of Owode-Yewa, who hosted a grand reception for dignitaries and top military brass.

In recognition of his tireless contributions to community safety and advocacy for peace, the Olota of Otta was conferred with a Leadership Merit Award by the Nigerian Army.

This distinguished honour celebrates his ongoing support of military-security collaborations and his efforts to ensure the safety of Otta and surrounding communities.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 81 Division, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, lauded the importance of the competition in instilling:

Discipline
Emotional resilience
Physical and tactical readiness

“These values are the core of professionalism in the Nigerian Army,” the GOC stated, while commending participants and the royal dignitaries for their unwavering support.

Other notable royal figures and community leaders present included:

High Chief Olarenwaju Bashorun, the Seriki of Otta
Oba Maroof Adio Alagbe, the Elegushi of Egushi Otta

Oba Alagbe was also honoured for his **steadfast contributions to grassroots security** and community development.

This year’s *81 Division Combat Proficiency Competition reinforced the Nigerian Army’s commitment to:

Rigorous training
Operational preparedness
Community engagement

Also read: Ogun governor, Dapo Abiodun, honours Olota of Ota on his 58th birthday

The participation and recognition of traditional institutions, such as the Olota of Otta, added cultural significance and moral encouragement to the military’s professional journey.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

3 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.”