Culture

Olómú Festival Attracts Wider Support Amid Rising Community Pride

Published

9 months ago

December 8, 2025

Olómú Festival gains strong backing as Ito Omu prepares a major eco cultural celebration for 2026

Coordinator of the Olómú Festival, Olori Ololade Oshin, has announced in Ito Omu that traditional rulers, community leaders, and local institutions have endorsed the Olómú Festival, confirming its maiden 2026 edition as a major eco cultural celebration.

Also read: Nihotour Gastronomy Festival Gets New Date in Bold World Record Push

The Olómú Festival is positioned to strengthen environmental awareness, cultural preservation, and sustainable development across the Epe Division of Lagos State.

Olori Oshin, who also doubles as the Iyalaje of Ito-Omu Kingdom, explained that the organisers intend to use the festival as a cornerstone for broader community growth.

She revealed that Ito Omu plans to build a tourist village on its vast land, an initiative designed to elevate the festival’s profile and attract both local and foreign visitors.

She added that the community intends to expand agricultural cultivation to improve its contribution to food supply in Nigeria, while also advancing its fishing sector and harnessing the economic potential of its rich palm resources.

She stressed that achieving these ambitions will require committed support from both government institutions and private sector partners.

The coordinator noted that Ito Omu’s cultural heritage, natural wetlands, forested landscapes, and interconnected creek networks provide a compelling foundation for the festival.

She stated that the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Waterways Authority, Epe Local Government, and the region’s revered monarchs have already offered strong backing.

His Royal Majesty Oba Kamorudeen Animashaun, Oloja of Epe; Oba Taiwo Yusuff Gbadamosi, Onitoomu of Ito Omu Ancient Town; and Oba Nurudeen Ebudola Alugbin, Oniladaba of Ladaba, all described the festival as an important driver of cultural revival and sustainable tourism.

A lively boat regatta added colour to the announcement, giving attendees a vibrant preview of the festival’s cultural energy and community spirit.

As preparations continue toward the inaugural 2026 edition, Olori Oshin invited corporate sponsors, development partners, and private organisations to participate in the initiative.

Also read: Olómú Festival Attracts Wider Support Amid Rising Community Pride

She affirmed that supporting the Olómú Festival offers a meaningful opportunity to promote environmental care, youth empowerment, cultural pride, and long term regional development.

Olómú Festival Attracts Wider Support Amid Rising Community Pride

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week 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.”