……..Jakande, Ajala Advise Youths To Discover Talent, Shun Vices And Build Their Future Through Creativity
Emmanuel Clement
Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye,Lagos— It was an afternoon of art, culture, colour and celebration in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye as the Executive Chairman of the LCDA, Dr. Seyi Jakande, declared open Season 5 of the Art Exhibition by Duke Oladipo Akinsete, titled ITAN: Homecoming
The exhibition attracted a large turnout of party leaders, stakeholders, art enthusiasts, youths, women and residents who came to witness creativity at its finest and celebrate one of their own. Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 
 Also in attendance was Hon. Rasaq Olusola Ajala, Deputy Director-General of the PBAT & KOH APC Campaign Committee,Dr Seyi Jakande,Executive Chairman of Odiolowo/Ojuwoye LCDA,alongside other top political leaders and well-wishers who graced the occasion.
Guests were treated to an impressive display of paintings, drawings and creative masterpieces, with many acquiring pieces to appreciate and support the work of Akinsete, who serves as the Senior Special Assistant on Protocol and Public Affairs to the Executive Chairman.
From the moment guests walked into the venue, one thing was clear: this was not just another exhibition. This was a homecoming. This was a story returning to where it began.
Speaking with newsmen at the exhibition, Akinsete took time to explain the title of the collection so that the public would understand it correctly.
He said the title is ITAN: Homecoming, which means “The Story of the Return.”
According to him, the exhibition represents the return of the history of the elders to town. The elders may not be physically visible, but their history, their values and their legacy remain alive in the community.
He explained that the exhibition is called Homecoming because it is the first time he is bringing his exhibition home, after four previous editions held elsewhere.
“The work is representing the return of the history of the elders. They are not visible, but it took them to agree with the land and nature for me to be able to do it after season 1 to 4, I could be able to do season 5 at home,” he said.
“This is the return of the elders back to town. That is my homecoming exhibition, that is the meaning,” he added.
One of the most striking features of the works on display is that many of the figures are faceless. To Akinsete, that is deliberate — and deeply spiritual.
He said the significance of the works lies in honouring those who have gone, including his father, the Latin Deacons, the Agalas, and the fathers of Yemi Ali and others, whose images and history still remain.
He said the artworks are faceless by design, but they portray the dignity, belief and hope that the present generation still holds for its forefathers.
“When we remember our story, our itan, we always remember that there are forefathers who laid the foundation for people like us to be involved,” he said.
In other words, the elders are not gone. They live in the story. They live in the land. They live in every young person who dares to dream and create.
As visitors stood before the faceless elders, many saw their own grandfathers, grandmothers and ancestors reflected back at them — a quiet moment of reflection that defined the afternoon.
Akinsete said all the works are dear to him, but two pieces stand out Taiwo and “Ibeji”
He disclosed that he has a twin, and his twin sister, Taiwo, is often his model when he paints.
“There is one I did for her and it is called Taiwo. Then I also have one there, it is called Ibeji. Those two works have a lot of message to me. 
In fact, reluctantly, I don’t want to sell them because the message is stronger to me than any other thing,” he said.
For Akinsete, Taiwo and Ibeji are not just paintings. They are family. They are memory. They are love framed on canvas.
In his remarks, Hon. Rasaq Olusola Ajala commended Akinsete for his creativity and dedication to promoting art and culture.
He described the exhibition as a beautiful initiative that showcases the rich talent in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye and Lagos at large.
He also lauded Dr. Jakande for supporting youth development and creating an enabling environment for talent to thrive in the LCDA.
Ajala, speaking directly to the youths in attendance, urged them to look inward and discover what God has deposited in them.
“Every young person here has something special. Talent is wealth. If you discover it early and work on it, it will open doors that money cannot open,” he said.
He warned youths against wasting their youthful years on idleness, peer pressure and social vices, stressing that the future belongs to those who prepare for it today.
“Don’t wait for government to do everything for you. Start with what you have, where you are. What Duke has done today started as a small passion. Look at where it has brought him,” Ajala said.
He added that art, like any other skill, can become a source of livelihood, pride and global recognition if taken seriously.
“This is what we want to see more of in Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye — young people turning their gifts into greatness and making our community proud,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Seyi Jakande hailed Akinsete for his consistency, passion and vision in using art to tell the story of Odi-Olowo/Ojuwoye to the world.
He noted that the exhibition is not just about art, but about promoting youth talent, preserving culture and positioning the LCDA on the global stage.
Dr. Jakande charged young people in the LCDA to discover and develop their God-given talents, stressing that creativity remains a powerful tool for empowerment, growth and community development.
“Your talent is your identity. Don’t hide it. Don’t be ashamed of it. The world is waiting to celebrate what you carry,” he said.
He urged youths to be disciplined, focused and patient, noting that greatness is not built in a day.
“Don’t chase quick money. Chase excellence. Chase value. When you build value, money will follow you,” Jakande said.
He also encouraged parents and community leaders to support their children’s talents instead of forcing them into careers they have no passion for.
“Not every child will be a doctor or a lawyer. Some will be artists, some will be musicians, some will be designers. Our duty is to nurture them, not kill their dreams,” he said.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting arts, culture and youth initiatives, and congratulated Akinsete, wishing him even greater exploits ahead.
Guests at the event described Season 5 as the best edition yet bigger, deeper, bolder and more spiritual than ever before.
Akinsete announced his next project after the exhibition taking Itan to the street.
He said he plans to commit 20 to 25 per cent of the profit from the exhibition to engage children who do not have access to art, equip them and train them to become artists.
“After Itan,I’m going to sit down, maybe the next one or two weeks, sit back, and I’m taking Itan to the street. Itan is going to the street by December,” he said.
It is a promise that drew applause art returning to the street, to the child, to the future.
Duke Akinsete went further to speak directly to young people, with the honesty of a man who lives his art every day.
“My message to the youth is, everybody has a talent. Don’t let it die. It’s simple. This is my talent. I’ve been painting, I can’t remember.
Even I have other jobs, my hobby is painting, my life is painting, my dislike is when I don’t paint, and when I’m down, my art makes me happy,” he said.
That, in one sentence, is the story of Duke Oladipo Akinsete,a man whose life is painting, whose painting is life, and whose homecoming has now become a celebration of elders, history and the next generation.
