Events To Hold In Abeokuta, London In Honour Of Wole Soyinka At 91
The Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) is set to hold its 16th edition this July, with activities taking place in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. The theme for the 2025 edition is 鈥淒ecolonisation of Nigerian Youth: Agenda for Our Future Leadership鈥, and it seeks to examine how young Africans can reclaim their cultural identity and play more meaningful roles in leadership.
The annual programme, inspired by the legacy of Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, is scheduled to begin on July 13 in Abeokuta, Ogun State, before moving to London, United Kingdom, for a two-day event on July 24 and 25.Organisers say this year鈥檚 edition will spotlight youth voices and artistic talents, while also fostering cross-cultural exchange and intellectual dialogue on postcolonial leadership in Africa.
The Nigeria leg of the event kicks off on July 13 in Abeokuta with the Youth Talent Showcase, tagged Do Your Own Thing (DYOT). It will feature performances in music, dance, spoken word, drama, and visual storytelling by young Nigerians.Also lined up are: Female Talking Drummers Showcase, celebrating the leadership and cultural expression of young girls through traditional drumming;Cultural Exhibitions and Mentorship Sessions, including an interactive gathering to mark Professor Soyinka鈥檚 91st birthday;Africa Youth Literature, Communication and Arts Workshop, co-facilitated by Ayo Aladekomo and Abolore Sobayo, to engage young people in cultural discovery and collaborative creativity.From July 24 to 25, the programme continues at The Africa Centre in London with a thought-provoking Advocacy Session titled 鈥淭he Artist as Postcolonial Agent: Canvas of Leadership Nuances.鈥 The session will explore the role of the artist in shaping political and cultural consciousness in African societies.Keynote speakers include Professor Wilson Mano and Dr. Vanessa Iwowo, while Chief Olu Alake, CEO of The Africa Centre, and Dr. Samantha Iwowo of Bournemouth University will anchor the sessions.A Cultural Night is also scheduled in London to showcase African creativity through live performances and visual arts. Featured artists include:Kayefi, Afro-folk singer, Aduke, Neo-soul and African fusion artist, Segun Akinduro, visual artist and performer, Abolore Sobayo, multidisciplinary artist, Eyinju Eledumare, poet and storytellerIn his remarks, Dr. Olateju Kareem, Executive Producer of WSICE and MD/CEO of ZMirage Multimedia Company, reaffirmed the initiative鈥檚 mission of cultural unity and mutual respect.鈥淎s culture continues to be our pride, let a better understanding of each other鈥檚 cultures yield respect and tolerance鈥攍eading to unity and the advancement of our shared humanity,鈥 he said.
He also paid tribute to Professor Wole Soyinka, describing him as a mentor and inspiration to young people.
鈥淲e deeply thank Professor Soyinka for lending not just his name to this initiative, but for personally receiving youth participants each year at his home, and for attending both the Nigerian and UK editions of the programme,鈥 Kareem added.
WSICE 2025 is produced by ZMirage Multimedia Company, under the leadership of Dr. Olateju Kareem, alongside co-executive producers Professor Segun Ojewuyi and Dr. Kareem. The programme is organised in partnership with local and international cultural institutions.
The Nigeria-based production team includes Mr. Jahman Anikulapo (Head of Communications), Dr. Tunde Awosanmi (Creative Director), and Professor Razinat Muhammed (Head of Adjudication), among others.