Culture

Oyo Marks Isese Day August 12

Published

2 years ago

August 12, 2024

Oyo State Government is set to host the annual Isese Day celebrations and the World Sango Festival to showcase, promote, and preserve the rich heritage of the state.

Addressing journalists at the Cultural Centre, Mokola, Ibadan, the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, disclosed that the celebration of the day has been decentralised across the state.

He explained that the Isese Festival has started in the Oke-Ogun Zone on August 10, while the Ogbomoso Zone would host the festival on August 12, 2024.

According to him, the Ibarapa Zone will celebrate the festival on August 14, and the Oyo Zone on August 16, this month.

Dr Olatunbosun stated that the grand-finale of the Isese Festival would be held on August 20, at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex in Ibadan.

“This day has been declared a public holiday in Oyo State by Governor Seyi Makinde to honor the Isese tradition.”

“The World Sango Festival, which celebrates the Yoruba deity Sango, will be held from August 8 to 17, 2024, in Oyo Town. This festival was recently approved for inclusion in the UNESCO Representative List for Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.”

“As part of the World Sango Festival, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism will host a symposium on August 13, 2024, at the Bode Wasimi residence in Ibadan, titled “Sango’s Heritage: The Duro Ladipo Theatrics.” This event will celebrate the renowned theater icon Duro Ladipo and his popular work “Oba Koso.”

“The 2024 World Sango Festival is being organized by a Steering Committee comprising representatives from the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Industry, the Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the Deputy Governor’s Office, the Oyo State House of Assembly, and other stakeholders, including cultural ambassadors, local government representatives, and Sango devotees.”

“The festival will feature performances, exhibitions of arts and crafts, indigenous cuisines, and the participation of envoys from countries such as Portugal, Cuba, Brazil, and Spain.”

“The Ministry of Culture and Tourism invites the general public to attend these celebrations and experience the rich cultural heritage of Oyo State, a premier tourist destination,” Olatunbosun stated.

It would recalled that Governor Seyi Makinde had in August 2023, approved that the 20th day of August annually be observed as a public holiday in Oyo State in honour of Isese Day which had hitherto been set aside by traditional adherents as a day of worship annually.

Up Next

World Elephant Day: Wild Africa urges better elephant protection in Nigeria

Don't Miss

Economic Prosperity: Plans Underway to Rejuvenate Ogbomosoland Cultural Heritage, Says Former Presidential Aide

Click to comment

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 month 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.”