Richard Elesho
A Kogi state-born culture and entertainment exponent, Juwon Olorunnipa, aka Jumabee, has urged media practitioners to escalate vital aspects of Nigerian art and culture as vehicles for economic growth.
Olorunnipa, who is also the Special Adviser on culture to the Kogi State Governor, Usman Ododo, gave the charge during his advocacy visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Press Centre, in Lokoja on Monday. He used the opportunity to harp on aspects of his global activities and human capital interventions at home, disclosing that all is set for the sixth edition of his pet initiative, Jumabee Inspires, in the state.
The event will commence on Thursday, 19th June 2025, with the album listening of his latest release, Son of Margaret, at Golden Royale Hotel, Lokoja. This will be followed by the first Kogi Entertainment Summit. Scheduled for Friday, 20th at AKK Hotels Lokoja, the summit will feature discussions on how to boost the music, fashion, event planning, and movie industries in the state.
He explained that the Jumabee Inspires Concert will be held on Saturday, 21st June 2025, at the Children’s Amusement Park, Lokoja, at 7:00 pm with over forty home-based Superstars and international singers performing live.
He said the program, which is part of his birthday package, is envisioned to promote Kogi as a tourism destination. “Without a doubt, Kogi is blessed with great potential. It is time to change the narrative and consciously reveal who we are to the world. Kogi is a blessed state with a unique history.”
The culture ambassador added that the program will also feature skill acquisition training and scholarship awards for hundreds of deserving youths and students from across the three senatorial zones of the state.
Jumabee, while acknowledging the immense financial implications of the project, called for partnership from corporate bodies and well-meaning individuals who may share in his dream.