Culture

We can’t perform traditional rites on two monarchs, Osun community tells Adeleke

Published

3 years ago

January 26, 2024

The ruling houses in Iree, Boripe local government of Osun state have warned governor Ademola Adeleke not to disrupt the peace that has reigned in the community.

The community rejected the white paper that asked for a fresh selection process for the Aree of Iree Kingship saying they can not perform traditional rites on two kings.

The people of Iree also vowed not to accept any other person aside from Oba Raphael Oluponle, who has gone through the processes and performed all traditional rites.

The state government in a white paper suspended some monarchs and directed the Chiefs in Iree to withdraw their suit in court to allow commencement of the selection process afresh in line with due process.

The Secretary of the six ruling houses who were all represented, Gbenga Olatunji, at a press conference in Iree, Wednesday, described the white paper as a move to cause violence in the community, vowing that the action of the state government will be resisted.

“We are here today to express our total rejection of the pronouncement and call on well-meaning Nigerians especially our royal fathers in Yorubaland to prevail on the governor not to debase traditional institution.

“To further complicate the matter, the state government in flagrant disobedience to the ongoing court process before Justice Oluwasami Adeleke of the Osun State High Court released the so-called white paper which is an apparent contempt of court.

“For your information, parties have called witnesses, tendered evidence, and adopted written addresses and only awaiting the Judgement which was already fixed for December 14, 2023, but for the protracted JUSUN strike.

“We see the decision of Governor Adeleke as politically motivated, ill-conceived, and capable of destabilizing the peace of Iree. It is an unpopular decision meant to serve the interest of a very tiny set of people who have decided to feed fat on the Obaship matter,” the ruling houses said.

Also, Asalu of Iree, Taiwo Oguntobi, who explained that all rites had been performed before the installation of Oba Oluponle, insisted that another person can not be taken through the process while the monarch still lives.

“If the government decides to select another king today, we will not perform another ritual. This is because we can’t perform another ritual for another person so far the king is still alive,” Oguntobi said.

The Olaromoye ruling house was represented by Azeez Agboola, Olubounku represented by Alhaji Suliaman Olaniyan, Ojo Ayagaga represented by Muraina Olalounku, Oyekun represented by Pa Micheal Olatunji, Iyohanola represented by Alhaji Jimoh Lawal and Afolabi Kazeem stood in as youth leader of the ruling houses.

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Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

2 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”

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.”