After 11 years of empowering over thousands of models and 11 queens, Nigeria beauty pageant, Sisi Oge, is rebranding and would now be called ‘Culturati’.
Speaking about the new initiative, Aregbe Idris, the brain behind the project, CEO, No. 1 Heritage Solutions said: “It is great to know that people are familiar with the name Sis Oge which is an annual cultural event but after celebrating the 11th edition which was a resounding success, we decided to rebrand for the 12th edition hence we now have Culturati. It is not just an annual event but is designed to sustain our culture and of course, we are also incorporating SMEs and expanding our scope. The objective is to see how we can also empower Nigerians. We are looking at culture from the prism of business and trying to tell the world that Culturati is not just about beauty pageants, not just about events but promoting our culture with a perspective to also explore the business angle of culture.”
He said “The notion behind Culturati 2019 is to explore nature’s creative beauty, create a renaissance of our cultural heritage, raise cultural ambassadors, and grow SMEs in the creative industry.
The cross-cultural event he said was rebranded to accommodate the existing cultural diversity of the Nigerian culture and to create a renaissance of our fading cultural heritage to the influx of western domination
“To that extent, build-up programmes are ongoing to create the right momentum for the major event. Some of the ongoing programmes are training sessions, workshop programmes, cultural exhibitions, and creative seminars.”
Idris disclosed that unlike Sisi Oge, Culturati will be a three-day-event which commences June 28 and runs through June 30th. It will hold at the Nike Art Gallery, Lekki, Lagos and Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
On the unique selling point of Culturati, Aregbe explains; “This lies in the robust ideas and core values of Heritage Solutions, with a committed and highly experienced team, in alignment with the active involvement of experienced and well-to-do stakeholders across Africa.”
“There is absolutely no doubt that culture is imponderable, as it remains invariably sacrosanct in recreating and re-experiencing the life and times of our forebears, hence sustaining these cultural legacies are the bedrock of Culturati’s existence,” he further narrated. Culturati is well on course in establishing itself as a global umbrella brand for celebrating values and uniting Africa.
Culturati according to him stands for C- Celebrating Culture; U- Uniting People; L: Living Legacies; T- Transforming Arts Through Innovation; U; Utilising our Rich Arts; R- Raising Cultural Ambassadors; A- Appreciating Cultural Icons; T- Training Cultural Enthusiasts; I- Integrating Diverse Cultures
When he looks back 12 years, did he believe it was going to be this massive? “It is not easy to do 11 straight events unless you are focused especially when you are not doing it for the money or fame but out of a desire to serve and empower. It is all about passion. The objective is to make sure this outlives me.”
He also said the event would feature a cultural festival and a gala night. Aregbe explained, “We have a highly a committed and experienced team. There is absolutely no doubt that culture is imponderable; so, sustaining these cultural legacies are the bedrock of Culturati’s existence,” Aregbe concluded.
