Events
Ile Ife Ready For Olojo Festival, Celebrating The Dawn Of The First Day
The Olojo Festival is set to showcase a rich Yoruba cultural celebration that is geared towards the promotion of cultural values, global peace and prosperity. It will celebrate the ancient magnificent and splendour of Ade-Aare Crown in the public square, exhibitions of Yoruba antiquities, display of cultural troupes, other materials of the culture and much more for all visitors and residents to enjoy the weekend of September 30 to October 2, 2017. Olojo Festival cultural weekend will be held at convenient locations near the Palace at Enuwa in Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
The Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba AdeyeyeEnitanOgunwusi (Ojaja II) is calling on all visitors far and wide to come and celebrate the official Yoruba New Year in Ile Ife, Nigeria, as he explains: “with my global outreach initiative which is creating a new epic movement, I’ve been travelling out of my kingdom to visit other nations around the world to share our own stories, delivering academic lectures, re-charting the leading role of Yoruba nation in the world and to reignite the immortal Yoruba spirit of enlightenment as the glowing fountain of knowledge that gave birth to the world civilisation”. He further stated that, “the existence of Ile-Ife as the source of humanity has been genetically studied and attested to by the scientific work of Dr. Etienne Papin and his 24 man-team at Institut Pasteur in Paris, France. The studies corroborate the genetic existence of the Yoruba collective in Nigeria at more than 100,000 years ago-with two distinct main groups, Khoe-San of South Africa splitting away at 87,000 years ago and Mbuti of DRC parting from Yoruba at 56,000 years ago respectively”.
Therefore, and according to Ooni “Olojo is notably the foremost festival that the world has ever known. It existence was a triumphant initiative from divinity to humanity as it was also the primal source to the creation of other festivals. Olojo celebrates the dawn of the first day of existence on earth, as described and reference in many holy and religious books when God said let there be light and there was light. I am keen to use the event as an opportunity for the world to come and experience our authentic cultural festivities.”
The Festival as a traditional and cultural event was attended by approximately 250,000 people last year 2016, placing the event as the third largest biggest festival in the world after Rio Mardi Gras in Brazil with 500, 000 attendees and Holi in India receiving the most visitors at 2 million plus. The Olojo festival is unique as it centres on the once-a-year wearing of the Ade-Aare Crown which is arguably the oldest monarchic crown in existence; as it has been strictly maintained over millennia and 51 successive Ooni’s wearing the exact same crown.
Brian e Ebden, Communications Consultant for the Olojo Festival said: “within the next five years, there is no reason for the Olojo Festival not to attract over a million visitors to the spiritual homeland of Yoruba people. As an African celebration, it is second to none as it draws upon an extremely wide variety of exotic traditions in terms of clothing, music, dancing and customs and is a visual spectacular.”
Prince Babajide Fadiaro, CEO of House of Oduduwa Foundation, stated: “Olojo Festival continues to be an event that the city of Ife can be proud of, as it represents many of the qualities that make Ile Ife so unique. I invite and encourage our residents and visitors to take time to enjoy some if not all parts of the festival and engage with the many visiting as they share their culture with us.”
Dr.Ayobami O. Oyedare of Oonirisa of Ile- Ife Global Outreach commented: “The Olojo festival has reinvented itself from being a seemingly insular cultural meeting point to a global fountain of togetherness and connectedness that is dispensing formidable heritage appreciation, cultural intellectualism and contemporary engagement towards the mission of world peace and unity. The result of this is a global amalgamation of people of all ages, races and backgrounds championing new cultural frontiers, transforming economic development, and reconstructing the chronicles of the human race which its source and expansion began from the Yoruba nation- Ile-Ife.”
Let the below whet your appetite:
OLOJO FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
Saturday, 30 September 2017
- Okemogun day, the Are’s culturalprocession
Sunday, 1 October 2017
- Grand finale of Olojo Festival2017
Monday, 2 October 2017
- The closing ceremony, which will feature Oonirisa ancestral traditional propitiation cultural trade/art exhibition
For more information about the festival and the full programme of events, email festival@olojo.org or visit www.olojo.org.
Events
10 fun spots in Lagos to take your kids this Christmas
Lagos, a vibrant and bustling city, offers many exciting holiday fun spots for kids, catering to different interests and age groups. These holiday spots in Lagos are designed to provide a safe and entertaining environment for children to play, learn, and make new friends.
Whether you’re looking for adventure, education, or fun, there’s something for every child in Lagos.
Let’s quickly look at some standard features of holiday spots for kids. They include:
- Playgrounds with swings, slides, and climbing frames.
- Amusement parks with thrilling rides and games.
- Water parks with swimming pools, water slides, and splash pads.
- Indoor play centres with trampolines, ball pits, and arcade games.
- Zoos and wildlife parks with a variety of animals and interactive exhibits.
- Museums and science centers with hands-on activities and educational displays.
- Public parks with picnic areas, playgrounds, and walking trails.
These holiday fun spots offer a range of benefits for kids, including:
i. Promoting physical activity and outdoor play.
ii. Encouraging socialisation and interaction with other children.
iii. Fostering learning and exploration through interactive exhibits and activities.
iv. Providing a safe and supervised environment for children to play and have fun
The Holiday Spots Includes:
1. Funplex Resort
– Location: Beside Center for Management Development) CMD road, Shangisha, Ikosi, Lagos, Nigeria
– Features: Amusement park, playground, swimming pool, and arcade games
– Specific Interests: Suitable for kids who love adventure and games
– Individual Benefits: Develops social skills, encourages physical activity, and enhances problem-solving skills
– Reasons to Try: Funplex offers a variety of fun activities for kids, making it an ideal spot for a fun-filled day.
2. Hi-Impact Planet
– Location: Km 12, Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Lagos
– Features: Amusement park, water park, and arcade games
– Specific Interests: Suitable for kids who love thrill and water activities
– Individual Benefits: Develops confidence, encourages teamwork, and enhances physical fitness
3. Dreamworld Africana
– Location: Km 20, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki, Lagos
– Features: Amusement park, zoo, and botanical garden
– Specific Interests: Suitable for kids who love animals and nature
– Individual Benefits: To develop empathy, encourage curiosity, and enhance knowledge of wildlife
– Reasons to Try: the spot offers a unique opportunity for kids to interact with animals and learn about nature.
4. Lekki Conservation Centre
– Location: Km 19, Lekki-Epe Expressway, Lekki, Lagos
– Features: Nature reserve, canopy walkway, and bird-watching
– Specific Interests: Suitable for kids who love nature and the outdoors
– Individual Benefits: To develop an appreciation for nature, encourage physical activity, and enhance knowledge of wildlife
– Reasons to Try: Lekki Conservation Centre offers a unique opportunity for kids to connect with nature and learn about conservation.
5. Get Arena
– Location: 34, Tony Anegbode St, Victoria Island, Lagos
– Features: Indoor play centre, trampoline park, and arcade games
– Specific Interests: Suitable for kids who love active play and games
– Individual Benefits: Develops physical fitness, encourages socialisation, and enhances problem-solving skills
– Reasons to Try: Get Arena offers a fun and safe environment for kids to play and socialise.
6. UPbeat Recreation Centre
– Location: 11, Admiralty Rd, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos
– Features: Trampoline park, playground, and arcade games
– Specific Interests: Suitable for kids who love active play and games
– Individual Benefits: Develops physical fitness, encourages socialisation, and enhances problem-solving skills
– Reasons to Try: Upbeat Recreation Centre offers a fun and safe environment for kids to play and socialise.
7. Ndubuisi Kanu Park
– Location: Mobolaji Avenue, Oregun,Ikeja, Lagos
– Features: Public park, playground, and picnic areas
– Specific Interests: Suitable for kids who love outdoor play and picnics
– Individual Benefits: Develops physical fitness, encourages socialisation, and enhances appreciation for nature
– Reasons to Try: The park offers a peaceful and serene environment for kids to play and relax.
8. Jhalobia Recreation Park And Gardens
– Location: Situated in Ikeja, along Muritala Mohammed International Airport Road, between the Hajj Camp and Ajao Estate,
– Features: Public park, playground, and picnic areas
– Specific Interests: Suitable for kids who love outdoor play and picnics
– Individual Benefits: Develops physical fitness, encourages socialisation, and enhances appreciation for nature
– Reasons to Try: Jhalobia Recreation Park and Gardens offers a peaceful and serene environment for kids to play and relax.
9. Apapa Amusement Park
– Location: 34, Randle Rd, Apapa Quays, Lagos
– Features: Amusement park, playground, and arcade games
– Specific Interests: Suitable for kids who love thrill and games
– Individual Benefits: Develops confidence, encourages teamwork, and enhances physical fitness
– Reasons to Try: Apapa Amusement Park offers a variety of fun activities for kids, making it an ideal spot for a fun-filled day.
10. Eko Hotel And Suites
– Location: Plot 1415, Adetokunbo Ademola St, Victoria Island, Lagos
– Features: Hotel, water park, and playground
– Specific Interests: Suitable for kids who love water activities and luxury
Now tell us, which fun parks would you like to try first?
Events
Wizkid performs ‘Troubled Mind’ at British Fashion Awards
Wizkid, the Grammy-winning singer, delivered a breathtaking performance of his new song ‘Troubled Mind’ at the 2024 British Fashion Awards.
This year’s event, held on Monday night at the Royal Albert Hall in London, saw Wizkid perform in the presence of some of the fashion world’s most prominent figures, including British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker, Dior’s Kim Jones, and Tom Ford.
‘Troubled Mind’, which serves as the opening track of ‘Morayo‘, Wizkid’s newly released sixth studio album, thrilled the audience as the singer poured emotion into the performance.
The night saw Jonathan Anderson, the Irish-born designer, clinch the coveted Designer of the Year award for the second consecutive year.
Celebrities including Rihanna and A$AP Rocky also graced the occasion, with Rocky receiving the Cultural Innovator award.
Born Ayodeji Balogun, Wizkid gained prominence in 2011 when he released his debut album ‘Superstar’.
He has released five additional albums including, ‘Ayo’ in 2014, ‘Sound From The Other Side’ in 2017, ‘Made In Lagos’ in 2020, ‘More Love, Less Ego’ in 2022 and ‘Morayo in 2024.
The singer has also received numerous awards, including a Grammy Award in 2021 for his collaboration with Beyoncé on the hit song ‘Brown Skin Girl’.
In October, ‘Made in Lagos’ was recognised as the most-streamed Nigerian album on Apple Music.
Watch Wizkid’s performance here
Events
SEE FULL LIST: ‘Jagun Jagun’ wins six categories at 2024 BON Awards
Femi Adebayo’s epic ‘Jagun Jagun’ has won six award categories at the 2024 Best of Nollywood (BON) ceremony.
The 16th edition of the BON Awards was held on Sunday night at the Sugar Factory Film Studios in Ilorin, Kwara.
Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi, the actress, hosted the award ceremony.
At the ceremony, Femi Adebayo’s epic film ‘Jagun Jagun’ was a standout entry, winning a total of six award categories.
These include “Best Actor”, Best Costume”, “Best Indigenous Film”, “Best Production Design”, and “Best Special Effect”.
Another significant winner was the film ‘Momiwa’, which took home “Best Editing” and “Best Screenplay”.
‘Jagun Jagun’ was nominated in 12 categories.
The Netflix original Yoruba film, released in August 2023, tells the story of a warlord respected within and outside his community.
The arrival of a young man reveals his insecurities, as he fears that his authority may soon be displaced.
See the full list of winners below.
Best Cinematography
- ADIRE
Director of the Year
- BAYO TIJANI & TOPE ADEBAYO (Jagun Jagun)
Best Social Message
- UNLEASHED
Best Short Film
- OUT OF MANY
Best Actor
- FEMI ADEBAYO (JAGUN JAGUN)
Best Actress
- WUNMI DADA (UNKNOWN SOJA)
Best Supporting Actress
- MERCY AIGBE (ADA OMO DADDY)
Best Supporting Actor
- KEPPY EKPENYONG (THE WEEKEND)
Best Editing
- MOMIWA
Best Costume
- JAGUN JAGUN
Best Sound
- OFFSHOOT
Best Soundtrack
- OLOKU ADA
BEST USE OF FOOD
- NWANYI ABACHA
Best Indigenous Film
- JAGUN JAGUN
Best Child Actor
- NIFEMI LAWAL
Best Child Actress
- DARASIMI NADI (UNKNOWN SOJA)
Most Promising Actor
- OZECHI FRANKLIN IZUCHUCHUKWU
Most Promising Actress
- CHIOMA OKAFOR
Best Production Design
- JAGUN JAGUN
Best Screenplay
- MOMIWA
Best Use of Food
- ORISA
Best Kiss
- HALIMA GANIYU & DAVID AKANDE (ETI KETA)
Best Special Effect
- JAGUN JAGUN
Best Documentary
- IS IT YOUR MONEY?
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