Freedom Vibes 8.0: Unchained Vibes Africa set to inspire women through arts
By Editor
NIGERIA’S cultural organization and social enterprise, Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA), will on Monday, April 29, 2024, hold its flagship programme Freedom Vibes Series. In its eighth edition, Freedom Vibes 8.0 is scheduled to take place at Freedom Park, Lagos Island, starting from 2pm prompt. The two-fold event will feature a colloquium with the theme: Inspiring Women to Drive Social Change Through Arts, and kicks off @2pm at Kongi’s Harvest Art Gallery. While the ‘Cultural Evening’ commences @4:30pm at the Mainstage of Freedom Park. As the name suggests, the cultural evening will be a celebration of diverse art forms, and 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 UVA Executive Producer, Ayodele Ganiu “aims to inspire women in driving meaningful change in the society by highlighting Green Queen, writer, freedom of artistic expression and environmental justice advocate, Sola Alamutu, who has become a role model to many women through multiple platforms and unwavering commitment to the arts.”
According to UVA’s Programme Manager, Samuel Osaze, “We dedicate this outing in honor of the indomitable spirit of the UVA Research and Advocacy Manager, 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 Alamutu’s story as an activist, social and culture advocate to inspire female artists and other women striving for social impact.”
Green Queen, Sola Alamutu
The colloquium will feature an all-female panelists including, gender, social inclusion, disability rights advocate and founder of the Hope Inspired Foundation for Women and Youth with Disabilities (HIFWYD), Ejiro Sharon Okotie, performance/spoken word poet, arts and culture journalist at The Nation newspaper), Evelyn Osagie (aka Evelyn D’Poet), emerging Nigerian radical environmentalist and founder of Mental and Environmental Development Initiative for Children (MEDIC), Doyinsola Ogunye, and Nigerian creative writer, performance/spoken word poet and social activist, Iquo DianaAbasi. Nnenna Fakoya-Smith (aka Ajala Nene – tourism promoter and visibility strategist, will moderate the panel discussion. The event compere at the colloquium is broadcaster, accomplished event producer, showbiz entrepreneur, former TVC ‘Your View’ Co-host and social advocate, Olajumoke Alawode-James.
Meant to be a potpourri of artistic performances, the cultural evening will feature 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, the event 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 honoured 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 Alamutu, popularly known as 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.
Unchained Vibes Africa is a cultural organization and social enterprise committed to developing arts and culture projects geared towards social causes. UVA’s mission is to leverage the power of the arts to promote civic education, human rights, cultural diversity, and the spirit of solidarity in Africa. For more information about Unchained Vibes Africa, please visit the website www.unchainedvibesafrica.com.
