Culture

Sanwo-Olu: We Are Intentional About Making Lagos Preferred Tourism Destination

Published

3 years ago

October 25, 2023

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his administration’s commitment toward making the State a tourism station in the world in line with the Entertainment and Tourism pillar of the THEMES+ developmental agenda.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said his government is intentional about making Lagos State, particularly Badagry, a preferred tourism destination.

He spoke on Monday while receiving the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa who led a delegation of Nigerians in the Diaspora for a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Ikeja.

The delegation included Dr. Julius Marcus Garvey Jnr., son of foremost civil rights leader, Marcus Garvey, and the Jogbe of Badagry kingdom, David Anderson, among others.

The delegation visited Governor Sanwo-Olu to appreciate him and the Lagos State Government for a successful celebration of this year’s edition of the Diaspora Festival, dubbed, ‘Door of Return’ in Badagry.

The Door of Return, initiated to help some Black Diasporas trace their roots to Nigeria and Africa at large, was celebrated last Saturday in the ancient city of Badagry, Lagos.

Speaking during the courtesy visit, Governor Sanwo-Olu said his administration will partner with relevant stakeholders, especially the people in the Diaspora to grow and strengthen the Door of Return festival and promote the cultural heritage of Badagry, Lagos and Nigeria at large.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also commended the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, for the initiative of the Door of Return and her efforts in championing the interest of Nigerians in the Diaspora.

Speaking earlier, Dabiri-Erewa commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his support towards the celebration of Door of Return and the actualisation of the Diaspora Festival that took place in Badagry last Saturday.

The NiDCOM boss urged the Lagos State government to support the project by building a Permanent Door of Return in Badagry to attract more people in the Diaspora willing to trace their roots to Nigeria.

Also speaking, Julius Garvey and David Anderson, hailed Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for their tremendous support for the festival and for showing keen interest in tourism.

They also expressed their joy for the success of the Door of Return Programme, which gave opportunities to many Nigerians in the Diaspora to visit Nigeria for the first time

Garvey and Anderson, who promised to partner with Lagos State on tourism, expressed their continued support to preserve African culture and heritage.

Related Topics:Culture Featured Sanwo-Olu Tourism Destination

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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.”