Culture

Traditional dance festivals promote national unity – Ahmed Mohammed

Published

3 years ago

November 9, 2023

The Artistic Director, National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN), Mr Ahmed Mohammed, says traditional dance festivals promote national unity and cultural identity of different ethnic groups in Nigeria.

Mohammed who stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, revealed that traditional religious festivals were part of the spirit of the Nigerian identity in spite of the country’s diversity.

According to him, the greater parts of the spiritual dances are simulated in the NTN’s dances to show their beauty, color, and expression of the worshippers’ worldview.

He said d that such beauty, color, and expression helps to cement and bond Nigerians as a people of one nation.

He emphasised on the need for intense research into identifying the prospects of ritualistic festivals in fostering unity among Nigerians.

Mohammed described as a “Sad reality” on how ritual festivals were occasioned with violence and restrictions on many communities during the festivities, saying that such sanctions add pain to the society.

He explained that NTN had toured over 40 countries in the world, presenting Nigeria’s best dances, music, and drama.

“Yemoja won us the best drama prize at the 2002 Cervantino International Festival in Mexico.

“Few among the countries visited by the Troupe included the U.S., Japan, China, North and South Korea, Germany and Portugal.

“Others were UAE, Mexico, Brazil, Cote D’ Ivoire, Ghana, and just recently in August, Antigua-Barbuda Caribbean Island, “he said.

He said the troupe was able to present Nigeria as the black race cultural hub with its variety of performances.

Mohammed said that such created a bond between Africans in the diaspora with Nigeria as well as attracted tourists to Nigeria.

“We have also demonstrated Nigeria’s resilience to the world, the wax that bonded us in unity in spite our diversity,” he said.

Related Topics:Culture Featured Festivals Traditional dance

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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.”