Culture

Oyo govt. honours Oguntoye twins as Cultural Ambassadors

Published

2 years ago

April 20, 2024

Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye of Twins Tourism fame have received the prestigious Oyo State Governor’s Tourism Award for their special contribution to tourism development of the Pacesetter State.

Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye were honoured at a special ceremony at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, where they were recognised with “Special Contribution to Oyo State Tourism Award – Cultural Event Ambassadors.”

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State conferred the honour at a dinner and award ceremony organised by the state government to recognise and celebrate stakeholders in the tourism industry, at the ongoing International Tourism Summit.

The Twins also known as the Most Famous Twins in African Tourism had, over the years, initiated and developed various creative events and activities that had immensely projected and set Oyo State on the global tourism map notably among others is the famous annual World Twins Festival, Igboora which is the largest gathering of twins and multiple births in this part of the world.

Other awardees at the event include Engr. Dotun Sanusi of Ilaji Resorts; Evangelist Ajibola Ogunkeyede of U -Fit -Fly; Dr. Adebayo Faleke, Erelu Funmi Rotiba & Royal Entertainment Cruise, Eleyele, among others.

Governor Makinde, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr. Bayo Lawal, while congratulating the awardees, charged them to see the honour as a call for more work in making Oyo State a preferred tourism destination.

Receiving the Cultural Event Ambassadors, the Oguntoye brothers expressed appreciation the Oyo State government and noted the effort of the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, whom they said “is doing his best to see that culture and tourism promotion works in Oyo State.”

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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.”