By Bayo Adeoye,

An Unsung Compass and a Man of Principle

Today, I celebrate not merely a birthday, but a remarkable life of scholarship, principle and public service.

Dr. Goke Adegoroye, a Prince of Akure, a former lecturer at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, former Director-General of the Bureau of Public Service Reforms and Permanent Secretary in the FCT, is one of those rare men whose influence extends far beyond the offices he has occupied.

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For me, he has been an unsung compass in public service administration -one of those trusted voices I call whenever I encounter a complex issue.

Sometimes, I call without even knowing precisely what the solution is; yet, somehow, a word from him often becomes the solution. His wisdom has a remarkable way of turning complexity into clarity.

There are people one consults because they occupy an office, and there are those one consults because they possess knowledge. Then there are the very few one consults because their judgment has earned something more valuable than either office or knowledge: trust. Dr. Adegoroye belongs to that rare category.

His counsel is rarely loud, but it is often profound, and his ability to bring perspective to difficult questions is one of the qualities I have come to value most in him.

I have often wondered why fate did not make him Head of the Civil Service of the Federation or Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He had the intellect, experience, temperament and integrity for either office. But fate, as they say, has its own handwriting.

Perhaps his greatest legacy, however, is not to be found merely in the offices he has occupied, but in the minds he has sharpened, the institutions he has helped to strengthen and the many people who have found direction through his counsel. That, to me, is the deeper meaning of public service.

On this special birthday, I pray that Almighty God will grant you many more years in sound health, peace, fulfilment and renewed strength. May He preserve your wisdom, enlarge your influence, bless your household, and reward the many lives you have touched through your scholarship, service and counsel.

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May your compass continue to point towards wisdom, your path towards peace, and your life towards even greater fulfilment. May you enjoy the fruits of your labour, and may God continue to make you a blessing to your family, your community, Akure, Nigeria and all of us privileged to know you.

Happy 76th Birthday, Sir. Many happy and blessed returns.

Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, OON
_Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ondo State_

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The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

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Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”