Culture

Ooni of Ife warns against choosing poor traditional rulers

Published

1 year ago

May 26, 2025

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, stated on Friday that oracles choosing poor individuals as traditional rulers will face consequences, advocating for successful monarchs to drive community development, while commending Governor Adeleke’s choice of Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, on Friday issued a stern warning that oracles responsible for selecting traditional rulers who are not financially prosperous will bear the consequences.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2024: Ooni of Ife praises sponsors, calls for tourism development

The prominent monarch made this assertion during the inauguration ceremony of the Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland, Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, in Ilesa, Osun State.

Speaking directly in Yoruba, the Ooni emphasized that oracles are now endowed with clearer foresight in their decisions regarding monarchical selections.

Oracles that choose poor people as traditional rulers will suffer the consequences.

He explicitly stated that the choice of successful candidates as traditional rulers would significantly contribute to the development of their respective communities.

Oba Ogunwusi further lauded the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, for what he described as an excellent decision in the selection of Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup as the new Owa Obokun.

His statement, delivered with conviction, elicited strong and audible responses from the large audience gathered in the expansive hall where the reception was held, indicating a notable reaction to his pronouncement.

The Ooni’s remarks signal a potential shift in the discourse surrounding traditional leadership selection, placing a renewed emphasis on the economic standing and perceived capacity for development of chosen monarchs.

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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.

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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.”