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  • How African Drum Festival inspired me

    How African Drum Festival inspired me

    • From Olorunshola Osasona

    A Nigerian visual artist, Ajuwon Ajibola, and director of Ajuwon Art Gallery, shared a compelling experience on how the Ogun State Drum Festival—implemented under the Ibikunle Amosun-led government—inspired his distinctive artistic expression.

    The Ogun Drum Festival, which garnered global attention, began in April 2016 with the unveiling of the world’s tallest drum, measuring 17 feet. Due to popular demand, it evolved into the African Drum Festival. Subsequent editions of the festival have seen drums and music from across Nigeria, Africa, and the Diaspora coming together in a vibrant celebration.

    The event held different meanings for various attendees. For some, it was an opportunity for economic gain—an avenue to showcase their products, artworks, Adire fabrics, Aso Oke, and food. For others, it was a tourism-driven experience, allowing them to indulge in the festival’s lively atmosphere and to explore Ogun State’s tourism potential. Still, for many, it was a socio-cultural gathering—an occasion for connection, networking, and shared cultural expression.

    While everyone viewed and interpreted the festival through their unique lens, Ajuwon saw something bold: an idea waiting to be explored. He recognized an opportunity to harness his artistic instincts and inject fresh creativity into the art world. Inspired by the rich diversity of drums at the event—representing various cultures worldwide—he sought to domesticate the festival’s spirit into a new artistic concept called Iluism. This innovative idea involves transforming drums into miniature art forms that reflect creativity, innovation, identity, and originality. Ajuwon envisions this art as a lasting testament—artworks that viewers can keep, hang on their walls, and continue to relive the festival’s multifaceted experience.

    Ajuwon, an Oyo prince, began his artistic journey as an undergraduate. His passion for art was sparked during a visit to a former president of the National Association of Oyo Students at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife—Mr. Tunde Bolarinwa. During his visit, he was captivated by a piece of artwork in the studio that arrested the attention of another visitor, igniting his imagination and inspiring him to pursue a career in the arts. Encouraged by Mr. Bolarinwa, he sought further mentorship from Mr. Omidiran Gbolade, where he gained foundational skills and training that laid the groundwork for his artistic ventures.

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    For Ajuwon, the drum transcends being merely a musical instrument; it is a symbol of cultural identity—an emblem of communal unity and historical connection. Drums are central to every aspect of Nigerian socio-cultural and religious life: when people are joyful, they beat the drums; in times of sorrow, they do the same. They serve as a unifying heartbeat, a language that transmits stories across generations.

    His Oyo heritage significantly influences his cultural expression. He affirms that drums embody the very essence of Oyo identity. Believing strongly in the power of art to combat unemployment, Ajuwon hopes to partner with the Oyo Palace to promote arts awareness and foster youth engagement through strategic workshops and exhibitions.

    While he admires renowned artists who have made significant marks in the field, he acknowledges that the drummers who played on streets and in communities inspire him the most—helping him connect deeply with his roots and fueling his creativity.

    He expressed concern over the festival’s decline and called on the Ogun State government to revive this global event, which once showcased the state’s vibrant culture on the international stage. Beyond its tourism appeal, he sees the festival as a vital platform for revenue generation, employment, and economic stimulation. If the festival inspired him to create his unique artistic path, he believes many others are waiting for similar inspiration.

  • ‘Ekiti ready for African Drum Festival’

    EKITI State Council of Arts and Culture Director-General, Mr Wale Ojo-Lanre, has said the state Cultural Troupe would participate in this year’s edition of the African Drum Festival, opening in Abeokuta tomorrow.

    The third African Drum festival, which ends on April 27, a cultural event initiated by the Ogun State government, is a global pot of cultural convergence of creative arts stakeholders with opportunities.

    Speaking with reporters at the Cultural Centre, Ado Ekiti, Ojo-Lanre said Governor Fayemi has mobilised the Council to ensure quality participation at the global cultural event.

    He revealed that the level of preparedness of the state cultural troupe is encouraging, pointing out that the troupe was ready, not only to participate, but also to coast home with honour and trophy.

    He said: “The troupe is oiling its rehearsals and toiling night and day to stage the best performance during the festival and I am sure its effort will translate into victory at the festival and another cultural event in the country.”

    Ojo-Lanre added: “Part of my plans as the DG is to enhance the performance of this wonderful troupe, promote its activities and ensure its prominence in events within and outside shores of Nigeria.

    “The vision of our Governor Kayode Fayemi is to rejuvenate, showcase and promote the cultural values of Ekiti to the whole world and he has promised to give us necessary moral and financial empowerment to pursue and achieve this.”

    The DG also pledged the Council’s readiness to construct an art village and gallery as well as create enabling an environment for the development of talents and creativity to thrive in the state.

    Ojo-Lanre, however, called on indigenes to support the Council of Arts and Culture in promoting the rich and unique cultural values and heritage of Ekiti people and Nigeria at large.

  • African Drum Festival gets Fed Govt’s nod

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has pledged the Federal Government’s support to the government of Ogun State in its efforts to take the African Drum Festival to a higher level.

    “We will continue to support this festival by making all our media platforms available to create awareness for it,” he said, at the opening of the 3rd edition of the festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, last Thursday.

    “We will also ensure that it is included in our national calendar of festivals, when the calendar, which we are working on now, is ready.

    “The drum festival keys into our objective of turning the creative industry into a thriving industry, one that provides jobs and boosts the economy, and that’s why we will continue to support it. I will also like to appeal to the corporate world to partner with Ogun State and to support this festival through sponsorship.”

    Alhaji Mohammed commended the Ogun State government for “this brilliant and intellectual addition” to the festival, in reference to the decision to convene a conference and an exhibition as part of the festival this year.

    He said the annual drum festival is very important because “it provides an avenue for us to showcase our rich cultural heritage and to attract global tourists to our country.”

    “The festival also plays a critical role in not just recognising the development and curation of the art  form of indigenous drum poetry but, more importantly, the preservation of drum culture for future generations,” the minister said

    Alhaji Mohammed also used the occasion to announce that Nigeria will be hosting the 61st meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)/Commission for Africa (CAF) in Abuja from 4-6 June 2018, and that Tourism Ministers from 51 African countries, top executives of the UNWTO and tourism stakeholders are expected to attend the event.

    “We want to sincerely thank the Ogun State government for agreeing to partner with us in our quest to host a successful meeting, which will be used to showcase our rich cultural heritage and tourism destinations. As you are aware, culture and tourism are intertwined.”

  • FG offers support for African Drum Festival

    The Federal Government has offered its support to the Ogun State government in its efforts to take the African Drum Festival to a higher level.

    The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, gave the assurance at the opening of the 3rd edition of the festival in Abeokuta, Ogun State, last Thursday.

    “We will continue to support this festival by making all our media platforms available to create awareness for it,” he said.

    “We will also ensure that it is included in our national calendar of festivals, when the calendar, which we are working on now, is ready.

    “The drum festival keys into our objective of turning the creative industry into a thriving industry, one that provides jobs and boosts the economy, and that’s why we will continue to support it. I will also like to appeal to the corporate world to partner with Ogun State and to support this festival through sponsorship.”

    Alhaji Mohammed commended the Ogun State government for “this brilliant and intellectual addition” to the festival, in reference to the decision to convene a conference and an exhibition as part of the festival this year.

    He said the annual drum festival is very important because “it provides an avenue for us to showcase our rich cultural heritage and to attract global tourists to our country.”

    “The festival also plays a critical role in not just recognising the development and curation of the art  form of indigenous drum poetry but, more importantly, the preservation of drum culture for future generations,” the minister said

    He used the occasion to announce that Nigeria will be hosting the 61st meeting of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)/Commission for Africa (CAF) in Abuja from 4-6 June 2018, and that Tourism Ministers from 51 African countries, top executives of the UNWTO and tourism stakeholders are expected to attend the event.

    “We want to sincerely thank the Ogun State government for agreeing to partner with us in our quest to host a successful meeting, which will be used to showcase our rich cultural heritage and tourism destinations. As you are aware, culture and tourism are intertwined,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

    ncredible. Speaking at the opening ceremony of a two-day seminar organised by the Motion Picture Practitioners Association of Nigerian (MOPPAN) with the theme “Film Making: Opportunities & Challenges in Nigeria”, which took place in Kaduna,  on Tuesday, April 17 and Wednesday, April 18, Dr. Chidia Maduekwe, NFC’s Managing Director said that Nollywood has and remains Africa’s most prevalent movie industry with an average production of 50 movies per week and 1500 – 3000 films per year.

    Delivering a paper titled ‘Developing Quality Content for Television & Cinema in Nigeria’ Maduekwe said that the growth in film production in Nigeria can only be sustained through training and capacity building of practitioners in the film sector.

    “The film industry has continued to provide content for the cinema and television stations in the country, through the sustained activities of practitioners, who have been able to sustain the narratives as well as the expressions of the depth and breadth of not only Nigeria’s but Africa’s cultural diversity,” he said.

    Dr. Maduekwe listed measures being put in place to address the challenges of the film industry to include, the introduction of tax breaks for filmmakers; development of co-productions treaties, fast tracking of the implementation of Nigeria’s copyright law; sustenance of a robust Nigerian film industry; through the interventions of the Nigerian Film Corporation, curbing and fight against piracy and copy right infringement; promotion of effective marketing and distribution framework and most importantly, the transformation of the Nigerian Film Corporation to a Film Commission in line with Global, and Continental best practices.

    The NFC helmsman decried the dearth of skilled manpower for the industry, which has been inundated with thematic obsession and repetitive themes and storylines, poor funding windows, infrastructural deficiencies, poor marketing and distribution framework as well as lack of safety nets for investments in the sector.

    However, impressed by the objectives of the seminar and the enthusiasm exhibited by participants at the seminar, who were mainly MOPPAN members drawn from the 16 Northern States of the Federation, Dr. Maduekwe announced that the NFC will make the National Film Institute, Jos, available for the next training workshop/ seminar for members of MOPPAN.

    Earlier, the President of MOPPAN, Alhaji Abdullahi Maikano Usman explained that the objective of the seminar was to shore up the competencies of filmmakers in the pursuit of their profession. He expressed the appreciation of members of MOPPAN to the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies, including the NFC, BoI, NFVCB, NeximBank for the support and assistance extended to film practitioners in the country.

  • Nigeria faces major food crisis if …….. – Soyinka warns

    Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka on Friday expressed grave concern over the continued displacement of the nation’s farming population in various parts of the country by rampaging violent herdsmen.

    Soyinka warned that if nothing is done urgently to stem the tide of killings and sacking of farmers by herdsmen, the dark cloud of violence could plunge the country into a major food crisis.

    The Playwright and author of Kongi harvest, who spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, during a conference session on African Drum Festival, said a period like the on – going drum festival, demands a moment of sober reflection on the onslaught by herdsmen against the primary producers of food in the country.

    Soyinka who is the Consultant for this year’s African Drum festival,  however, added that the appalling situation should not be allowed to completely dampen the spirit of creativity.

    He called for the immediate restoration of displaced farmers to their traditional base, as a first step towards ensuring that this country is good habitation for people .

    The Chief host, Governor Ibikunle Amosun in his address observed that the intellectual angle to the festival is an innovation powered by the Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka thanking him for the putting the event together.

    Some of the participants include Dr. Sylvanus Kwashie Kuwor from Ghana, Laolu Akintobi , Mufu Onifade, Chief Muraina Oyelami, Professor Jeleel Ojuade, Dr. Tunde Adegbola, Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi, Solomon Terkura Adaa,  and some of the interventionists include , Wanle Akinboboye, Brenda Uphopo, Akin Adejuwon, Olu Adewale Adeniran among others .

  • 14 countries, 20 states for African Drum festival

    NO fewer than 20 states, 14 countries and 70 private troupes will converge on Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, for this year’s African Drum Festival designed to bring together Black people from across the globe.

    The festival, which will hold from April 19 to 21, is being coordinated by Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka, who is chief consultant to Ogun State Government on the festival.

    The participating countries include Haiti, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, Republic of Benin, Senegal and Togo.

    Two years ago, in appreciation of the importance of drum in the life of the Yoruba, the Ogun State Government mooted the idea of celebrating African drums as a unique way of bringing Black people across the world together.

    On the festival theme, “Reviving our culture in drums”, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun underscored the importance of drums in the African traditional settings, saying the yearly African Drum festival has been structured to hold in the third week of April. He noted that the date has been etched in the festival calendar of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.

    “Africans have a rich culture. We have drums that predate African civilisations and this is what makes Africans to be great. The drum is very important beyond entertainment. Indeed, I want to relate it to or situate it with what the social media is, as important to us as with what drums did then. In the days of our forebears, it was the drums they used to disseminate information to talk to one another. They used drums during wars to say something that was about to happen. They have social drums. Even our traditionalists, the masqueraders, they have different drums because the way they will drum it will be different from others. “We can use drums for so many things. These days, different kinds of drums are used for different reasons. In Ogun State, we have chosen drums to showcase our richness when we started expanding them beyond the shores of Nigeria a year ago.

    “It was that small seed that we planted that has blossomed internationally. The festival is a way of bringing our black people together. We are happy it is happening here in Ogun state, the cradle of civilisation. We are using the usefulness of drums to tell the whole world their importance. We will continue to do this event annually. This is a unique platform for all Africans, may be, because we are blacks. And we have been doing great things to drive home our rich culture and tradition. Intellectuals, cultural enthusiasts and everybody will be coming to grace the occasion.

    “We use drums for so many occasions. There are some drums that it is only once that they beat them, especially coronation drums. So, we are using drums for so many things. And that is why we believe as a state, we should bring everybody here in our own little ways as an avenue to arouse the consciousness of our people as a whole. When we started in 2016, we started with the Nigerian drums. It was so hugely successful. We now sat down and asked ourselves, why should we limit it alone to Nigeria because we are Africans? And the next edition, we called it African Drum festival.

    Amosun assured that the festival would not only use drums for what they are, but to make a strong statement about Africans as well as to forge unity among the people. He extolled the contributions of notable artistes from Ogun State, such as Hubert Ogunde, Ayinla Omowura, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, Baba Haruna Ishola, Jimi Solanke and Ebenezer Obey who used drum to make great impact on social life.

    Chairman 2018 African Drum festival, Mrs Yetunde Onanuga, who is also Deputy Governor, reminisced on the advent of the annual event which began in 2016.

    According to her, “the journey started two years ago. The maiden edition was in 2016 as Nigerian drum festival and the second edition was in 2017 as African Drums Festival. This is the third edition, which we are having as African Drums Festival 2018. This year’s edition will be bigger and better as it has assumed international dimension”.

    She disclosed that 20 states had confirmed their attendance, adding that more than 70 private troupes were being expected. “Also, 17 foreign troupes from African countries have also confirmed their attendance. On Friday, April 20, we will be having a conference/workshop and an exhibition, which will be convened by Soyinka at the Olumo Rock Tourist Complex. The conference is tagged Drumming for advancement. And this is to conceptualise the festival for better understanding.

    ‘’On Saturday, April 21, is the grand finale and the closing ceremony. All troupes will feature; also, traditional rulers as well as other important dignitaries will attend. Other attractions for the festival was an endurance trek,  with the theme Walking for drum. The festival promises to be the best  that has ever happened in Africa and beyond. I urge you all to be part of the festival. Let the drums roll,” Onanuga said.

    Representative of the consultant, Soyinka, Mr Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo highlighted the programme that has been lined up for the African Drum festival.

    He said the conference was conceived as a new dimension to the yearly African Drum festival, specifically to bring intellectual flavour to the character and content of the project. The main objective is to begin to position the drum as a tool for education, socialisation, cultural and economic advancement.

    “This session will hold in two formats: conference and workshop exhibition. The conference is to create a platform through which the very nature and character of drum and the vocation of drumming can be distilled in order to rediscover its potentialities as a significant instrument for advancing the cause of the society.

    “The theme Drumming for Advancement; sub-theme: Drumming for socio-economic development; and prologue: and ‘Drumming up for food security by Prof Wole Soyinka, the Festival Consultant. Everything great begins from Ogun State …well, take Fela’s AFRO-BEAT. It all began right here before he disseminated it to Lagos and the rest of the world. So, I am not surprised that Ogun State has initiated this festival that calls attention to the significance of the drum in the life of humanity, and especially the African world.

    “Many people do not recognise the centrality of rhythm, but rhythm is both entrancing and eloquent. It is a sophisticated possession of human beings. We all live on a world of rhythms, right from birth it is both heartbeat and pulse. Rhythm is simply-life,” he said.

    Resource persons expected at the occasion include Dr Sylvanus Kwashie Kuwor, Mr Laolu Akins Akintobi, Dr Tunde Adegbola, Dr (Mrs) Bukola Bello Jaiyesimi, Mr Muraina Oyelami, Dr Jeleel Ojuade among others.

    Expected to feature in the event are demonstrations, and interventions by Dr Olu Adewale Adeniran, Mr Akin Adejuwon, Chief Tunde Kelani and Mr Wanle Akinboboye.

    The rapporteurs are Lillian Amah-Aluko, Dr Tunde Awosanmi, Dr  Razinat Talatu Mohammed and Mr Mufu Onifade.

    For the workshop, the event is to impart knowledge about the various techniques of drumming, especially in the young ones, to ensure that the vocation begins to manifest its purposed education and entertainment values. Resource persons expected for this segment are Peter Adegboyega Badejo and Isioma Williams.

    Other activities being lined up are performances to be led by Olalekan Babalola and Eko Brass Band, while the exhibition segment, which will feature the archives and memorabilia of Fela Sowande, including his publications, recordings, and collection of photographs.