Culture

Reno Omokri writes on culture of respect in Yoruba people

Published

3 years ago

May 30, 2023

If former President Olusegun Obasanjo wants to greet the Ooni of Ife, he would actually prostrate to him at his age of almost 90 and with his accomplishments as the first man to have administered Nigeria three times.

Omoluabi Yoruba have several levels of respect. The way a Yoruba man talks to his older brother, even when the elder is wrong, is respectful. The way both of them speak to their parents is reverential. Then the way the children and their parents talk to God, whether Christian, Muslim, or Ifa worshippers, is so venerable.

And this culture of respect going upwards is why blessings rain downwards on the Yoruba.

Whether in Nigeria, in Africa, or the rest of the world.

Today, the most influential Nigerians on Earth are not President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima, both of whom I pray our petition will unseat at the Supreme Court.

Rather, the most influential (influence is different from power) Nigerians are Wally Adeyemo, who is Deputy Secretary of the Treasury in the cabinet of President Joe Biden, and Kemi Badenoch, who was almost Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, and now is that country’s Secretary of State for International Trade.

In Nigeria and abroad, people of Yoruba descent are the most successful Nigerians. For example, since 1999 to date, a Yoruba man has either been President or Vice President, except for the five years between 2010 and 2015. And outside Nigeria, the highest-ranked diaspora Nigerian politicians have been of Yoruba origin (Wally Adeyemo and Kemi Badenoch).

In business and industry, four out of the ten wealthiest Nigerians within Nigeria are of Yoruba origin. Outside Nigeria, the top two wealthiest diaspora Nigerians are Yoruba, in the persons of Tope Awotona and Adebayo Ogunlesi.

Not only do they have the highest adult literacy in Nigeria, but they have also produced the first African military ruler to have successfully and voluntarily handed over to civilians: Olusegun Obasanjo, the first African Nobel laureate: Professor Wole Soyinka, the first Nigerian Pulitzer winner: Dele Olojede, and Nigeria’s first four Grammy Awards winners, including, Sade Adu (1986), Babatunde Olatunji (1991), Sikiru Adepoju (1991) and Seal (1996).

If you go to South Africa, Nigeria and Nigerians sadly have a horrible reputation. But Yorubas are very highly thought of by South Africans. It is almost contradictory. But it is true.

So, if you want upward mobility, you are well advised to study the Yoruba. What unique cultural markers set them apart and ahead of other Black Africans?

That culture of respect. And that is why they are enjoying levels of influence in Nigeria and abroad that are far above that of other Nigerian ethnicities.

A particular group of people may now insult me, as is their usual group practice.

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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.”