Culture

Ooni, Alaafin Launch Joint Council to Promote Unity, Cultural Preservation

Published

11 months ago

October 25, 2025

Ooni and Alaafin unite for Yoruba peace, launching a Joint Council to foster unity, cultural preservation, and progress across Yorubaland

Ooni and Alaafin unite for Yoruba peace in a landmark show of solidarity aimed at strengthening harmony, cultural pride, and development across Yorubaland.

Also read: Ooni of Ife Launches AI Centre to Empower Youths

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, met in Lagos on Friday at the Eko Hotel Signature Building, reaffirming their shared commitment to unity and mutual respect among Yoruba monarchs.

The historic meeting, convened by the Odole Oodua of The Source, Sir Dr Kessington Adebutu, formed part of his birthday celebration but quickly became a symbolic moment in Yoruba history.

In a joint communiqué released after the session, both royal fathers announced the creation of a Joint Council for Yoruba Unity, a new body dedicated to peacebuilding, cultural preservation, and socioeconomic advancement across the Yoruba nation.

“Today marks a defining moment in our shared history. We are committed to promoting harmony among Yoruba sons and daughters and upholding the sacred values of mutual respect and brotherhood bequeathed to us by our forebears,” the communiqué stated.

The meeting was attended by eminent Yoruba leaders, traditional rulers, and cultural custodians, all of whom praised the two monarchs for demonstrating reconciliation and leadership at a critical time.

In their closing prayers, the Ooni and Alaafin jointly sought divine guidance, peace, and prosperity for Yorubaland, Nigeria, and Africa as a whole. The session concluded with the exchange of royal blessings and expressions of goodwill between the revered thrones.

Sir Adebutu lauded the event as “a milestone that will strengthen peace and progress among the Yoruba people,” while Aare Dr Kola Oyefeso, Secretary of the Communiqué Drafting Committee, confirmed that the document was jointly signed by both monarchs and witnessed by Sir Adebutu.

Also read: Alaafin of Oyo Plans Return of Artefacts Looted by Britain

This renewed alliance between the two powerful thrones is being hailed as a powerful step towards lasting unity in Yorubaland, reflecting a shared vision of cultural preservation and collective progress.

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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.”