Arts & Design

Unchained Vibes Africa Congratulates Jahman on UNESCO Recognition

Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA) has congratulated culture activist, Jahman Anikulapo, on being honoured with the 2024 Recognition for Cultural Rights Defenders by the International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights (CIPDH) under UNESCO’s auspices.

 

In a press statement dated January 6th, 2025, UVA acknowledged Jahman’s contribution to upholding fundamental rights.

 

It read: “This prestigious award underscores his unwavering commitment to promoting and defending human rights through cultural expression. Jahman’s visionary leadership and advocacy resonate deeply with UVA’s mission, and we are immensely proud of this milestone. Congratulations on this well-deserved honour.”

 

The honour of the Defender of Cultural Rights Award highlights his unwavering dedication to cultural advocacy, leadership in fostering Africa’s creative industries, and relentless efforts to promote and preserve our cultural heritage.

 

Jahman’s transformative work uplifts African narratives globally, empowering literary communities and creatives alike. This achievement not only honours him but elevates Nigeria and Africa on the global stage.

 

Anikulapo studied Theatre Arts in University of Ibadan. He began his art journalism career at The Guardian (Nigeria) as the arts and media editor in 1993. He worked as the arts and media editor until 2003, then worked as the Editor of The Guardian on Sunday and The GuardianLife Magazine from 2003 to 2013. He was mentored by Dapo Adenuga, a theatre critic and playwright at the University of Ibadan.

 

He is also a cultural activist involved in the Committee for Relevant Art, CORA, which has been organizing the quarterly « Art Stampede aka Artists Parliament » since June 1991. In 2011, Jahman created IREP, a documentary film festival, with former President of the Independent Television Producers Association of Nigeria, Femi Odugbemi, and Director of the Lagos Film Bureau, Makin Soyinka. They are all members of the West African Documentary Film Forum (WADFF).
He is currently president / director of CORA, which won the 10th anniversary of the founding of Prince Claus for the cultural debate in 2006.
He has been involved in many international programmes supervised by international organizations:
– member of the subcommittee on culture of the Tony Blair Commission for Africa,
– member of the Culture Review Committee of the Commonwealth Foundation,
– resource person for UNESCO review of Cultural Policies, as for many other Nigerian cultural organizing committees.
A globetrotter, he has footprints in Africa, Europe, Asia and the United States of America.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *