Culture

President Tinubu Celebrates Olubadan at 90 Lauds Leadership Legacy

Published

1 year ago

July 4, 2025

President Tinubu celebrates Olubadan at 90, praising his leadership, wisdom, and dedication to unity as he marks one year on the throne

President Bola Tinubu has celebrated the 90th birthday of Oba Akinloye Olakulehin and the first anniversary of his coronation as the 43rd Olubadan of Ibadanland.

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The President’s message came on Friday through a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled President Tinubu celebrates Olubadan, Oba Akinloye Olakulehin at 90.

The President Tinubu celebrates Olubadan tribute commended the monarch’s lifelong dedication to peace, cultural preservation, and national unity.

“Your Imperial Majesty, Oba Olakulehin, as you mark nine decades of a life well lived in service, sacrifice, and stewardship, and on your first anniversary on the throne of your forefathers, we honour not only your longevity but also your immense contributions to community development and national unity,” President Tinubu stated.

We honour your long life of service, sacrifice, and your immense contributions to unity and development.

He further praised the Olubadan as a traditional ruler whose reign embodies wisdom, peace, and steady progress.

“At 90, His Majesty embodies the rare blend of age-old wisdom, service, and enduring leadership through decades of selfless dedication to nation-building and community development,” the President added.

President Tinubu also extended his prayers for continued health, peace, and grace in the monarch’s reign.

“May your reign be peaceful, prosperous, and impactful,” he wrote.

Joining the people of Ibadanland and the wider Nigerian community, the President honoured the Olubadan’s legacy as a custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition.

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The President Tinubu celebrates Olubadan message has drawn admiration from traditional institutions and political leaders alike, who recognise Oba Olakulehin’s remarkable contributions to cultural identity and harmony.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

3 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.

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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.”

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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.”