Culture

Okota Festival: Yoruba Leaders Urge Support for Heritage Preservation

Published

1 year ago

July 23, 2025

Okota Festival Yoruba heritage calls made as leaders urge South-West governors to support cultural festivals and boost tourism through site preservation

Traditional rulers and cultural leaders have urged South-West governors to prioritise cultural festivals and heritage site preservation to protect Yoruba identity and drive economic growth.

Also read: Top Festivals You Should Attend in Nigeria for Culture and Celebration

The appeal was made at the 2025 edition of the Okota Festival, held in Arigidi-Akoko, Ondo State.

The event, organised by the Olokun Festival Foundation, featured key figures including the foundation’s founder and Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, the Owa of Ogbagi, Oba Victor Adetona, and the Zaki of Arigidi-Akoko, Oba Yisa Olanipekun.

Adams called on the Ondo State Government to elevate the Okota Festival’s status and develop the Okota River site into a global cultural destination.

“Yorubaland is richly blessed with numerous heritage and tourism sites. If well developed, these sites can drive economic growth and transform our communities,” he said.

He stressed the role of traditional rulers in cultural promotion and urged them to differentiate clearly between religion, tradition, and culture. “Across the world, nations that embrace their heritage thrive. Asia is a great example,” he added.

Oba Adetona praised Adams’ cultural advocacy and announced plans to begin an annual festival in Ogbagi. He called for state backing to ensure its success.

Similarly, Oba Olanipekun appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Adesoji Afolabi, for stronger institutional support.

He noted the burden faced by monarchs and called for a return to financial and material aid for traditional rulers.

Also read: Ojude Lasu Cultural Festival Dazzles With Fashion, Rich Tradition

Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Ogunbi Abiodun, praised the festival’s success and promised to support its 2026 edition. He encouraged monarchs to keep praying for the progress of their people.

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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.”