Culture

Tinubu unveils new ministers, as Tourism finally gets stand-alone ministry

Published

3 years ago

August 17, 2023

President Bola Tinubu has unveiled his new ministers following their confirmation by the senate, last week.
Ms Lola Ade-John

The Senate last Monday, August 7, it would be recalled, confirmed 45 ministerial nominees out of the 48 nominees forwarded to it by President Bola Tinubu.

The confirmation followed the consideration and approval of the nominees during the Monday plenary.

Highlight of the Wednesday’s unveiling was the appointment of a new Minister of Tourism, a development which followed intensive clamouring by industry operators and other stakeholders in the country over the neglect of the sub- sector of the economy for decades by subsequent administrations.

Stakeholders had mounted an appeal, including intensive lobbying for a separate ministry of Tourism in the country.

The new ministry is headed by Ms Lola Ade-John, described as a banker and a seasoned Information and Technology expert.

Ms Ade-John is regarded as a leader in designing, integrating, deploying, and managing core systems for global banking institutions.

With the creation of a Tourism ministry, it is expected that more agencies and parastatals will be added to it to beef up the new ministry, in addition to the existing two agencies operating in the Old Ministry of Culture and Information.

It would be recalled that country’s immediate past minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who also oversaw affairs of Tourism, was recently officially appointed the Special adviser to the Secretary General of the United Nations World tourism Organisation (UNWTO), Zurab Pololikashvili.

Related Topics:Culture Featured new ministers Tinubu

Up Next

Alara Of Epe Makes Historic Visit To Antigua And Barbuda, Set To Explore Tourism Offerings

Don't Miss

Lola Ade-John emerges Minister of Tourism

Click to comment

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.”