Culture

Oluwo Names Daughter After Only Female Olofin Adimula, Luwo Gbagida

Published

3 years ago

March 24, 2023

The Oluwo of Iwoland, Adewale Akanbi (Telu 1), has named his newborn daughter after the Olofin Adimula of Ile-Ife, Luwo Gbagida

Luwo Gbagida was the only female Olofin Adimula of Ile-Ife and the mother of Adekola Telu, who founded the ancient city of Iwo.

Conducting the naming ceremony himself amid traditional rulers, religious clerics, community leaders and well-wishers, Oluwo named the child Luwo, Adewumi, Sultana, the Fatimoh, and Grace.

The Oluwo wedded Firdaus Abdullahi, a princess of the royal family of Kano, at a colourful ceremony in the ancient city in March 2022

The bride is the daughter of the late ‘Madakin Kano’, Abdullahi Sarki Sani Yola, and the granddaughter of the late Emir Ado Bayero.

They welcomed their daughter on the 15th of March.

Oluwo described Luwo Gbagida as a bold, confident, and visionary first female king in the universe.

A statement by Oluwo through his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, read: “Today, I’m making a great history by naming my daughter after an Amazon, Iya wa (our mother), Luwo Gbagida..”

“Luwo Gbagida was the only female Olofin Adimula of Ile-Ife. Her credible marks and confidence produced Iwo. He gave the crown to her only son, Adekola Telu, to found a city of truth (Ilu Ayekooto), Iwo.”

Her decision and the perseverance of Telu with his entourage produced the Iwo of today..”

“LUWO was a genuine descendant of Oduduwa. She acted like Oduduwa, and the sundry monumentally felt her reign..”

“I’ve many things in common. She was the 16th Olofin Adimula Ile-Ife while I’m the 16th Oluwo. My coronation was on 16th January 2016.”

“Many miracles were seen in my new daughter. Her birth is a blessing, not only to my harem but to Yoruba and tension. She is a gift to humanity.”

Luwo Gbagida (sometimes spelt as Luwo) was a paramount traditional ruler of Ile Ife in Nigeria, the ancestral home of the Yoruba people.

She succeeded Ooni Giesi and was succeeded by Ooni Lumobi. Ooni Luwoo’s reign remains the only one by a female in Ife to date.

Up Next

Ooni of Ife, Tinubu, Oba of Lagos, Other Dignitaries To Grace 5th Annual World Omoluabi Day In Lagos

Don't Miss

Ooni travels to Brazil and issues a certificate recognizing Quilombola as Yoruba territory.

Click to comment

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.”