LAGOS, Nigeria—- Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA), a foremost Nigerian cultural organization and social enterprise, will on Monday April 29th, 2024, hold its flagship programme Freedom Vibes Series. In its eighth edition, Freedom Vibes 8.0 is scheduled to take place at the Freedom Park, Lagos Island. Starting by 2pm prompt, attendance is strictly by invitation.
The two-fold event will feature a colloquium with the theme: Inspiring Women to Drive Social Change Through Arts, it kicks off by 2pm and ends by 4pm at the Kongi’s Harvest Art Gallery. While the “Cultural Evening” commences by 4:30pm at the Mainstage of the Freedom Park, as the name suggests, the cultural evening will be a celebration of diverse art forms. The cultural evening will be hosted in partnership with Children and The Environment (CATE), Beach Samaritan (BS), Aritsoge and Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA).
“This edition of the Freedom Vibes Series”, says Ayodele Ganiu (UVA Executive Producer) “aims to inspire women in driving meaningful change in the society by highlighting Green Queen-Sola Alamutu (writer, freedom of artistic expression and environmental justice advocate) who has become a role model to many women through multiple platforms and unwavering commitment to the arts.”
“We dedicate this outing in honor of the indomitable spirit of the UVA Research and Advocacy Manager, Sola Alamutu, on her 60th birthday. A colloquium tagged “Inspiring Women to Drive Social Change Through Arts” will take place from 2pm to 4pm. This will be followed by a cultural evening starting from 4:30pm. The colloquium presents a unique opportunity to use Ms Alamutu’s story as an activist, social and culture advocate to inspire female artists and other women striving for social impact” Samuel Osaze, UVA’s Program Manager stated.
The colloquium will feature an all-female panelists including: Ejiro Sharon Okotie (A gender, social inclusion, disability rights advocate and founder of the Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youth with Disabilities (HIFWYD), Evelyn Osagie (AKA Evelyn D’Poet- performance/spoken word poet, and arts journalist at the Nation Newspaper), Doyinsola Ogunye, (Emerging Nigerian radical environmentalist and founder of Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC), and Iquo DianaAbasi ( Nigerian creative writer, performance/spoken word poet and social activist). Nnenna Fakoya-Smith (AKA Ajala Nene– Tourism promoter and visibility strategist) will moderate the panel discussion. The event compere at the colloquium is Olajumoke Alawode-James (broadcaster, accomplished event producer, showbiz entrepreneur, former TVC ‘Your View’ Co-host and social advocate).
Meant to be a potpourri of artistic performances, the cultural evening will parade drama by the renowned Crown Troupe of Africa under the leadership of Segun Adefila, live music by Abbey Trombone and the Abinibi Groovy Band, and Efik Ekombi Dance by the bubbling Efik Dance Troupe. An array of spoken word performances and goodwill messages, it will also serve as platform to network and reconnect for old and new friends of the honoree who has expressed deep appreciation and eagerly looks forward to a remarkable diamond Jubilee.
“I feel honored to be receiving my flowers while I am still alive, and privileged to be chosen as a case study at a Colloquium that aims to impact the lives of young creatives for social transformation”, said Ms Sola Alamutu popularly known as The Green Queen of Africa.
Freedom Vibes 8.0 serves as a platform to further the conversation on women’s empowerment in the realm of arts and advocacy while amplifying Alamutu’s legacy. Through a diverse fusion of exhibitions, spoken word, panel discussion, music, dance, drama and a myriad of artistic expressions, the event aims to inspire women while igniting dialogue and driving social change.
