Culture

Oyo Restricts Traffic for Olubadan Rashidi Ladoja’s Coronation Ceremony

Published

12 months ago

September 24, 2025

Oyo State closes major routes around Mapo Hall to secure Olubadan Rashidi Ladoja’s coronation, with cultural festivities marking the historic event

Oyo State government has announced the closure of major roads around Ibadan’s historic Mapo Hall starting 7:00 am on Friday, September 26, to ensure security and smooth proceedings for the coronation of the 44th Olubadan, Oba Rashidi Ladoja.

Also read: Ooni of Ife Pays Courtesy Visit to Olubadan-Designate Rashidi Ladoja

The announcement came from the coronation organising committee, set up by the state government, which revealed that key routes including Beere Junction towards Mapo Hall, Born Photo Junction and Idi-Arere Junction inwards Oja’ba, as well as Itamerin Junction heading to Mapo Hall, will be closed to traffic.

In preparation for the event, only the convoys of President Bola Tinubu and Governor Seyi Makinde will be permitted to access roads leading to Mapo Hall, highlighting the significance of the occasion and the attendance of the nation’s leader.

Three official car parks have been designated for guests: Ibadan North Local Government Area car park near the Immigration Office at Agodi, the football field beside Yemetu Police Station, and Liberty Stadium at Oke Ado.

Buses will ferry invited well-wishers from these points to the venue.

Vendors have been advised to arrive between 6:00 am and 6:45 am to prepare for the event, while the committee urged cooperation to ensure a smooth and memorable coronation ceremony.

Ahead of the coronation, cultural celebrations have already begun.

On Monday evening, a play titled Arusa was performed at the Apex Event Centre, Agodi, showcasing Ibadan’s rich royal heritage.

The play, written by Gbemi Faleti and produced by Biodun Latinwo Eleni, recounts the legacy of Arusa Ogungbenro, a legendary figure who defied tradition to reshape the destiny of Oke-Agala.

The production featured renowned actors such as Dele Odule, Taiwo Ibikunle, and Toyin Adegbola, captivating audiences with themes of resilience, leadership, and destiny.

Masqueraders from across Yoruba-speaking states also converged in Ibadan on Tuesday to celebrate Oba Ladoja, demonstrating the deep cultural pride surrounding his ascension.

The President-General of the Concerned Citizens of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Ajeniyi Ajewole, described the Olubadan as a custodian of culture and a statesman with a vision to elevate Ibadan to global excellence.

The 44th Coronation Committee Chairman, Bayo Oyero, echoed this sentiment, emphasising that the week-long events tell the story of Ibadan’s identity, resilience, and courage.

The official coronation will take place on Friday, September 26, one day after Oba Ladoja’s 81st birthday, at the revered Mapo Hall.

He succeeds the late 43rd Olubadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, who passed away on July 7, 2025.

Also read: Olubadan Coronation: Tinubu, Royals, Ladoja Set for History

This landmark event is set to reaffirm Ibadan’s cultural heritage and mark a new chapter in the city’s storied history.

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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.”