Art x Adẹ

Mr. Olushola Medupin, CEO, Enish Group of Restaurants  One of my greatest joys was the day Shola opened his first restaurant in Lewisham. When he first hinted at his intention to open a restaurant, I was rather sceptical. I shared my reservations with him, but he seemed determined to go ahead. All I could do was offer him my prayerful support. When his search for a suitable location began in earnest, he took me to visit a few premises. Eventually, he settled on one in Lewisham. Quite honestly, it was the last place I expected him to choose. The building, which previously housed a Chinese restaurant, was completely run-down. It had been vacated, left unoccupied and allowed to become derelict for more than five years.  Looking at it, I struggled to see what Shola saw. Once again, I expressed my reservations. But he remained convinced that this was the place he wanted. That moment, in retrospect, says something profound about the young man and his journey. Vision is o...

Nigeria urgently needs a fundamental restructuring of its federation. The country needs a genuine realignment that brings government closer to the people and makes each level of government more responsible for its own development. Every state should have greater fiscal and political autonomy to generate and manage its own resources, while determining its development priorities according to its human, natural and economic resources. A state blessed with agriculture should be able to build around agriculture. One with mineral resources should develop its mining sector responsibly. Another with a strong human-capital base may choose to prioritise education, technology and services. The principle should be simple: the more responsibility you have for your development, the more responsibility you must accept for generating the resources to achieve it. Where two or more states individually lack the population, economic base or resources to remain viable, the Constitution should provide a ...

From what you have seen and read about my paintings and my book, you may have noticed that neither is offered for sale in the conventional sense. Over the years, I have carefully curated a selection of my paintings for display at my solo exhibitions. For me, however, these works are more than objects of artistic expression. They have become a means of connecting creativity with compassion, art with service, and personal passion with a purpose greater than myself. I am therefore happy to make selected paintings available to anyone who would like to have one, in return for a voluntary donation towards a charitable cause that is very close to my heart — the Matthew Adekunle Medupin Foundation (MAMF). The Foundation was established with a simple but deeply meaningful purpose: to support widows, orphans, and people living with sickle-cell disease in Ogidi-Ijumu and neighbouring communities in Kogi State, Nigeria. I believe art should not only be something we look at; it can also...

“The mind is like a garden. You can grow flowers or you can grow thorns.” Our minds are gardens, and every thought is a seed. What we repeatedly think about, dwell upon and give our attention to is what we gradually cultivate. If we water our minds with gratitude, kindness, hope, forgiveness and wisdom, something beautiful begins to grow. But if we constantly nurture anger, resentment, fear, envy and bitterness, those too will take root. The important thing to remember is that a garden does not become overgrown with thorns overnight, nor does it bloom in a single day. It is shaped by what we choose to plant, what we choose to water and what we choose to remove. We cannot always control the seeds that life drops into our minds. Pain, disappointment, betrayal and loss may leave behind weeds we never intended to grow. But we can decide whether to keep watering them. Sometimes, cultivating the mind means having the courage to pull out an old thorn, a painful memory, a destruct...

It is difficult to discuss Yoruba political leadership without eventually comparing Chief Obafemi Awolowo and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Their political trajectories share striking similarities, yet their approaches to power could hardly be more different. Both built their political fortunes from the Southwest. Both understood the importance of political organisation. Both created formidable political networks and eventually sought to translate regional influence into national leadership. But here is where the story gets interesting. Awolowo was the visionary; Tinubu is the strategist. Awolowo wanted to transform Nigeria according to a clearly defined political philosophy: Federalism, Education, Social welfare, Regional autonomy and Disciplined governance. He built an organisation around ideas. Tinubu, on the other hand, has demonstrated a remarkable capacity for political calculation, coalition-building and adaptation. His genius, whether one admir...

Each time I think about Nigeria’s worsening socioeconomic reality while listening to the Tinubu administration celebrating improved macroeconomic indicators, I am tempted to ask a simple but profound question:  Who is deceiving whom? The government may point to GDP growth, rising foreign reserves, increased government revenue, exchange-rate stability and other macroeconomic indicators as evidence that the economy is recovering. But the fundamental question is: recovering for whom? Macroeconomic statistics may be reassuring to economists, international financial institutions and foreign investors. But what meaning do they have to the ordinary Nigerian whose income buys less every month, whose food bill keeps rising, whose rent is becoming unaffordable, whose children’s education costs more, whose healthcare is increasingly out of reach and whose sense of security is being eroded by the day? An economy is not an abstract spreadsheet. It is ultimately about people. What is...

Jesus sat quietly near the temple treasury and watched people as thry brought their offerings.  The wealthy came and gave generously, and the sound of their substantial contributions must have attracted everyone's attention.  Then came a poor widow who placed just two tiny coins into the treasury. The amount was so insignificant that, by ordinary standards, it could hardly be called a meaningful giving. Yet Jesus saw something others did not. The wealthy had given from their abundance. Their gifts were large, but giving them did not threaten their wealth. The widow, however, had almost nothing. She was poor. Those two coins represented everything she possessed. Her gift was small in quantity, but immense in meaning. Therein lies the philosophical wisdom of this timeless biblical story. Human beings have a natural tendency to measure worth by quantity: wealth, status, possessions, achievements, influence and numbers.  We often assume that the person who gives t...

“Igi gógóró má gun mi lójú, òkèrè là ti ńwò ó.” “A tall tree should not poke my eyes; it is from a distance that we behold it.” There are people in life whose behaviour, words and attitudes can become toxic to our peace of mind. We may wish to understand them, change them, or remain close to them because of affection, history or obligation. But wisdom sometimes lies not in confrontation, but in distance. Just as we admire a thorny tree from afar without allowing its branches to wound us, we can learn to keep a healthy psychological distance from those whose toxicity repeatedly hurts us. Distance is not always hatred, resentment or rejection; sometimes, it is self-preservation. We cannot always control how others behave, but we can choose how close we allow their behaviour to come to our hearts. Some people are best loved from a distance, some understood from a distance, and some simply left at a distance. Keeping psychological distance from toxic people is knowing that prot...

When we feel hungry, the stomach is not simply sending a command to fill it with whatever will silence the hunger. It is an invitation to nourish the body with the right food: food that will help the entire system function at its best, providing strength, health and wellbeing. But, I see a deeper lesson here. Not everything that satisfies a craving necessarily serves our wellbeing. In life, we are constantly confronted with appetites,  not only for food, but for money, recognition, power, success, pleasure and acceptance. The temptation is often to satisfy these appetites with whatever is immediately comes our way, without considering the consequences. Yet, just as the body needs the right nourishment to remain healthy, the mind, character and soul need the right values to remain strong. Hunger may tell us that we need to eat, but wisdom tells us what is worth consuming. Perhaps this is one of life's greatest lessons: learning to distinguish between what satisfies us mo...

In my search for a truly just and righteous person, one of the most inspiring narratives I have encountered is the story of Socrates and his lamp. It is said that one day, in broad daylight, Socrates was walking through the streets of Athens carrying a lantern in his hand. His unusual behaviour caught the attention of those around him. A passer-by, curious about what he was doing, stopped and asked: “Socrates, what are you looking for?” Socrates continued looking around with his lamp and replied: “I am looking for a just man.” The man, surprised by the answer, asked why he needed a lamp in broad daylight to find a just man. Socrates' response was, in essence: “Although Athens is filled with people, I cannot find a truly just and honest person.” The story is thought-provoking. Many people may appear good, honest and just, but how many genuinely live by those principles when tested?  The same make-believe lifestyle that Socrates observed among some of the people of his ti...

Integrity is a subject I believe should be taught from kindergarten through to university. Children should learn from an early age that integrity means doing what is right even when nobody is watching; keeping their word; taking responsibility for their actions; treating others fairly; and having the courage to stand by what they know to be right. Academic excellence may open doors, but character determines what a person does once those doors are opened. If we want to build individuals, institutions and societies that can be trusted, integrity cannot be left to chance. It must be deliberately taught, modelled and reinforced throughout a person's education.

Should a person's performance be judged or measured against a standard that is above the requirements of the role they were originally employed to fill? Again, the case of the late Professor Jason Arday continues to intrigue me. He was reportedly diagnosed with autism at the age of three, could not speak until he was 11, and only began reading and writing at 18. Despite these significant developmental challenges, he went on to obtain a degree, a master's degree and a PhD from reputable British universities. Considering what we have learned about autism and the wide range of ways in which it can affect individuals, Arday applied for his academic position, was interviewed and went through the institution's established selection processes. One would therefore assume that his circumstances and abilities were considered by those responsible for his appointment and that, having satisfied the requirements, he was deemed suitable for the role. What I find particularly t...

I congratulate Governor Ademola Adeleke on winning his second-term mandate. His opponents were formidable, but he prevailed. If the ferocious campaign of hatred, intimidation and threats unleashed by the APC had been driven by genuine concerns about the incumbent’s performance, one might have been willing to bear it with equanimity. But the truth, as it appeared to many, was that this was less about performance and more about an overriding desire to seize power by all means necessary. It was the “Emi lo kan” mindset taken too far. In their desperation to grab power, some of their utterances and threats crossed the boundaries of acceptable political conduct. In the end, that approach appears to have backfired. Good riddance! Osun people have spoken, and they are the real winners. Democracy works best when the people (not desperation, intimidation or entitlement) decide who governs them.

The exit of Caroline Levitt as Donald Trump’s press secretary has prompted reflection on just how demanding and high-pressure the role can be within his political orbit. Serving as press secretary in that environment often means standing before the media each day while trying to project a unified message in the face of rapidly shifting statements, competing narratives, and frequent disputes over basic facts. The job requires constant adjustment, as yesterday’s explanation can quickly be replaced or contradicted by today’s messaging. For someone like Levitt, or anyone in that position, the role extends far beyond routine communication. It becomes an exercise in managing perception under relentless scrutiny, where every briefing is analysed in real time and inconsistencies are immediately amplified across news cycles and social media. Her departure highlights how the strain of the job is not simply about handling press questions, but about sustaining coherence in an environme...

If we were to coin an “ism” to describe the political philosophy and governing style of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which of the following would you choose? 1. Tinubunomics The economic philosophy associated with his reforms, particularly subsidy removal, taxation, currency reforms and market-oriented policies. 2. Tinubulism The broader political doctrine of political consolidation, strategic patronage, power accumulation and pragmatic alliances. 3. Jagabanism Politics as an elaborate art of building networks, controlling political structures and cultivating political successors. 4. Emilokanism Politics centred on the conviction that “it is my turn”, the idea of political power as the culmination of years of political investment, loyalty and sacrifice. 5. Renewalism The official aspirational version: political and economic “renewal,” reform and restructuring associated with the Renewed Hope agenda. 6. Political Transactionalism Politics understood principally through allia...

Every meaningful journey begins with a single step. The path before us may be narrow, uneven, and uncertain, but it is not the smoothness of the road that determines our destination—it is the courage to keep moving. The setting sun is not merely an ending; it is a reminder that every day concludes with the promise of another dawn. Brick by brick, step by step, we build our future through the choices we make today. The destination belongs not to those who wait for perfect roads, but to those who walk faithfully, even when the horizon seems distant. May we never be discouraged by the length of the journey. Every step taken with hope is a victory, and every obstacle overcome becomes another brick in the path to a brighter tomorrow.

The story of Nigeria's leadership succession often reminds me of the biblical account of King Rehoboam, the son and successor of King Solomon, as recorded in 1 Kings 12:14 and 2 Chronicles 10:14. Ignoring the counsel of the older, wiser advisers who had served his father faithfully, Rehoboam chose instead to listen to the reckless advice of his young contemporaries.  He arrogantly declared to the people: "My father made your yoke heavy; I will make it even heavier. My father scourged you with whips; I will scourge you with scorpions." Those words proved disastrous. Instead of strengthening the kingdom he inherited, Rehoboam fractured it. The northern tribes rebelled, and the once-united kingdom of Israel was divided in two. History repeatedly teaches the same lesson: leadership is not sustained by arrogance, intimidation, or the desire to appear stronger than one's predecessor. It flourishes through humility, wisdom, and a willingness to listen. A nation d...

Inspired by a family photograph, this painting celebrates the enduring environmental legacy of my senior brother, Retired Justice Michael Medupin. Many decades ago, he planted coconut palm seedlings throughout several neighbourhoods of Ogidi. Today, those seedlings have matured into majestic trees that define the landscape and enrich the community. While I have deliberately exaggerated the height and abundance of the palms for artistic effect, the painting reflects a genuine transformation of the environment. It is my tribute to a man whose foresight, love for nature, and quiet service have left a living legacy for future generations. It reminds us that the greatest monuments are not always built in stone—they can also take root in the earth and flourish through time. This painting has significance beyond my family. It documents a local environmental history and honours an act of community-minded stewardship that deserves to be remembered. It is both a work of art and a v...

Tomorrow, the 15th of June, and on the same day each year, my community celebrates the arrival of the New Yam. It is a special day when the first harvest of the new yam is officially presented to and eaten by the traditional ruler of our community. It is a day of thanksgiving and a celebration of the harvest that comes after twelve months of hard work, dedication, and sacrifice by our farmers. The traditional name of the New Yam is “Ẹmindin.” When a tuber of the new yam arrives in a home, everyone present touches the yam with a finger and, with that same finger, touches their chest and says: “Ẹmindin mo ri wọ me tu ku.” This translates to: “New Yam, I have seen you; I will not die.” This beautiful tradition expresses gratitude, hope, and the joy of welcoming a new season of abundance. This painting is my tribute to the hardworking men and women who, despite the many challenges they face, continue to labour tirelessly to ensure that food is placed on the tables of their fami...

There was a time when fear ruled my voice. It was not the fear arising from ignorance. It was not the fear from lack of knowledge. Ironically, my greatest burden was knowing too much and saying too little. For years, I carried within me a vast body of thoughts, of experiences, of questions, and of convictions about life, about humanity, about politics, about justice, about suffering and pain, about faith, about culture, and above all, about the complicated beauty of the human race and existence. In private conversations, words flowed naturally. Ideas connected effortlessly and seamlessly. But the moment an audience appeared, something invisible tightened around my mind and imprisoned my voice. Fear is a strange kind of philosopher. It does not always scream. It sometimes  whispers asking dangerous questions such as: “What if I fail?” “What if I forget my words?” “What if they judge me?” “What if my voice trembles?” “What if I am not enough?” What makes fear powerful is ...