Africa’s Dance exponent Onikeku on N100m drive to complete The QDance Hub
By Editor
THE Founder and Artistic Director, The QDance Center, Mr. Qudus Onikeku, needs N100 million to build a world class dance facility in Lagos. The centre for contemporary and innovative dance clocks 10 in August, Mr. Onikeku is aiming to make the milestone anniversary a grand one. As “2024 marks a pivotal moment in our journey as we embark on a remarkable endeavour: the creation of The QDance Hub, a groundbreaking four-level structure dedicated to nurturing creativity right in the heart of Lagos city,” he said in his appeal for funds from friends, donors and art lovers all over the world. “This initiative is a long held dream; it’s a testament to our commitment to fostering a vibrant artistic community in Nigeria. The QDance Center is investing in this visionary project, but we need your support to turn this dream into a reality. We invite you to join us in this adventure by contributing to our fundraising campaign.”
No doubt, Onikeku has great ambition for Africa’s dance expressions, which he has demonstrated in many ways in the last 10 years of practicing dance on a global scale. He has single-handedly taken African dance to the global scholarly community such as Harvard University, Boston, US and the entire Europe, teaching, training, coaching and mentoring dance enthusiasts. Onikeku has steadily grown his dance artistry such that he has become a household in the global dance community. But he’s a man rooted in his roots, as he always returns to his Lagos Island base after each tour of duty abroad spreading the gospel of African dance in far-flung places. From his humble beginning at an Ikoyi suburb just after Obalende, Onikeku would move his QDance Center company to City Mall, Onikan, where he continues to invest his talent and resources to build up young dancers.
And now Onikeku is taking his dance expertise to a higher level with the actual construction of a dance edifice that boosts of all modern amenities dancers need to excel in their chosen vocation.
Founder/Artistic Director of The QDance Hub, Qudus Onikeku
“Our vision for the QDance Hub is bold and transformative,” Onikeku said in the statement. “Designed by the acclaimed architect Papa Omotayo, this architectural marvel will house state-of-the-art facilities, including a rooftop theatre with a capacity for 300 audience members, four spacious dance studios, live and digital recording studios for audio-visual and new media projects, costume conceptualisation room, light design space, and a cutting-edge Dance and AI lab. This lab will serve as a hub for research in culture tech, supporting creatives across the continent and the Diaspora in their innovative endeavours.
“The hub will be officially opened on the 4th August 2024, to coincide with our 10th year anniversary. We can however, not do this alone. Our fundraising goal is to reach 70,000 Euros (100 million NGN) by June 30, 2024, and we need your generous contributions to make it happen. Whether you can donate financially or provide material support such as light projectors, dance mats, office furniture, or sound equipment, every contribution counts.”
Onikeku and QDance Center will show gratitude to donors with a special award planned, noting, “your donation will be an essential contribution to the socio-cultural development of our community. By supporting the QDance Hub, you are not only investing in artistic infrastructure but also empowering creatives to thrive and flourish. Together, let’s shape a brighter future through the power of the arts and community development. Share our campaign with your friends, family, and networks, and join us in building a legacy that will impact generations to come. Thank you for your unwavering support and commitment to the arts.”
