Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA) is set to host its flagship programme, Freedom Vibes Series, on Monday, April 29th, 2024.
The eighth edition, Freedom Vibes 8.0, according to the leading Nigerian cultural organisation and social enterprise, will take place at Freedom Park, Lagos Island, beginning promptly at 2 pm. Attendance to the event, which will comprise two main segments, is strictly by invitation only.
The first, a colloquium themed “Inspiring Women to Drive Social Change Through Arts,” will run from 2 pm to 4 pm at Kongi’s Harvest Art Gallery. This will be followed by a “Cultural Evening” starting at 4:30 pm at the Mainstage of Freedom Park. In partnership with Children and The Environment (CATE), Beach Samaritan (BS), Aritsoge and the Committee for Relevant Arts (CORA), the cultural evening will celebrate diverse art forms.
“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 honour 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 Programme 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 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 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.
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 our website www.unchainedvibesafrica.com