Culture

How Adenuga’s Belief in Indigenous Culture Elevated Ojude Oba to Global Fame

Published

1 year ago

June 27, 2025

Chief Mike Adenuga’s belief in indigenous culture has elevated the Ojude Oba festival to global relevance, driving tourism, heritage, and cultural pride

Ojude Oba global relevance has been steadily established over the past two decades, thanks to the unwavering belief of Chief Mike Adenuga in preserving and promoting indigenous culture.

Also read: Maltina Joins Zaria Durbar Festival In Celebration Of Culture, Unity

In a rapidly modernising world where trends in entertainment, sports, and technology reshape daily life, festivals rooted in heritage have become crucial for identity and continuity.

Chief Adenuga, founder of telecom giant Globacom, has played a transformative role in rebranding the Ojude Oba festival from a small Islamic homage into a grand spectacle that draws international attention.

His respect for Yoruba tradition, coupled with Glo’s consistent sponsorship, has helped position the festival as a flagship event on Nigeria’s cultural calendar.

Before Glo’s intervention, Ojude Oba was primarily a religious gathering.

Today, it is a vibrant celebration of fashion, tradition, and community pride that unites diverse ethnicities and faiths.

Tourists from around the world now attend the Ijebu Ode-based festival, bearing witness to the colourful pageantry and age-grade parades that define the event.

Glo’s sponsorship of Ojude Oba goes beyond branding; it is a cultural repositioning for global recognition and authentic heritage.

More than just sponsorship, Glo’s involvement represents a strategic cultural investment. It revitalises tradition, supports local entrepreneurship, and promotes Nigeria’s image to a global audience.

Chief Adenuga’s belief in the power of indigenous identity has not only preserved a community tradition but turned it into a driver of cultural tourism.

His commitment extends beyond Ojude Oba. Glo also supports other iconic events like the Ofala Festival in Onitsha, Lisabi Festival in Egbaland, the Eyo Festival in Lagos, and the Greater Lagos Music Fiesta each an expression of Nigeria’s diverse cultural wealth.

This cultural stewardship has made Adenuga a modern patron of Nigerian heritage.

His vision proves that individual belief, backed by corporate support, can elevate local traditions to global platforms, ensuring their survival and continued relevance in a changing world.

Also read: Lagos, Philippines cultural partnership strengthened at Independence Day celebration

Through the lens of Ojude Oba, Chief Adenuga has shown that heritage and innovation can coexist and when they do, they create enduring legacies that unite past, present, and future.

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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.”

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.”