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The United States government, through the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Senate, has honored Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka and Chief Nike Okundaye of Nike Art Gallery for their significant contributions to art in Nigeria and globally.
Soyinka received “Distinguished Honors” for his contributions to literature, culture, and human rights, while Okundaye was praised for pioneering the Adire resist-dyeing technique, blending ancestral motifs with modern aesthetics.
The honors were presented on March 26 during the unveiling of the African Cultural Festival 2025, set for September 19 to 20, 2025. The Senate lauded Soyinka’s role in modern African literature and advocacy for democracy, while the House commended Okundaye for empowering over 5,000 women through traditional crafts.
Wole Adeniyi, the CEO of ACI234, discussed the festival’s aim to celebrate African heritage and enhance international collaboration. He expressed gratitude to Pennsylvania for recognizing these artistic icons.
The festival will feature the launch of Duduplugs, a digital platform by ACI234 Entertainment LLC, designed to connect creative industries across continents. Festival Director Foluke Michael described the event as a celebration of Africa’s rich heritage and contemporary expression, highlighting the Lagos State Government’s role in initiating this cultural movement.
The official countdown to the 2025 festival will begin in Lagos at the end of April, setting the stage for a global celebration of African excellence.
