Jahman Anikulapo’s UNESCO Award Celebrated By Stakeholders

Jahman Anikulapo’s UNESCO Award Celebrated By Stakeholders

By Anuoluwapo Lebi

It is a moment of jubilation, recognition and encomium for a Nigerian Veteran journalist, who doubles as a frontrunner culture archivist and the founder of Culture Caucus Advocate (CCA), Jahman Anikulapo, as stakeholders continue to congratulate him for the 2024 UNESCO Defender of Cultural Rights Award, which he recently received.

The award was conferred on Jahman by the International Centre for the Promotion of Human Rights (CIPDH), under the guidance of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), during an event held in the Montevideo Hall of the Legislature of the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, Argentina, on December 13.

In his recorded acceptance speech, Jahman who could not physically make it to the venue of the award ceremony, expressed gratitude to the organizers of the award ceremony. He said “I’m ever convinced that the sanity, dignity, and elevation of our collective humanity can be easily achieved through intentional, appropriate and effective cultural education. I’m indeed doubly honoured to be recognised for the modest work I have done over these decades, and I’m assured that I should not relent in the pursuit of my life’s mission: advocacy for the betterment of our common humanity.”

Nevertheless, celebrating Jahman’s exceptional achievement of receiving the 2024 UNESCO Defender of Cultural Rights Award, Quintessence, an art and culture firm congratulated him via an Instagram post on its official page.

“Quintessence extends its warmest congratulations to Jahman Anikulapo on receiving the prestigious UNESCO Defender of Cultural Rights Award 2024 in Buenos Aires.”, Quintessence posted.

It also invited the Award-winning culture archivist-cum-journalist, Jahman Anikulapo to its upcoming event, saying “We invite you to join us for panel conversations and a celebratory event in honor of his remarkable achievement on Sunday, February 23rd, 2025 at 3:30 PM.”

Adding details of its event, Quintessence noted that “The keynote speakers will be Ojoma Ochai, and the panelists include Chike Maduegbunam, Anwuli Ojogwu, and Lanre Lawal. The proceedings will commence with a poem by Sage Hassan.”

Jahman Anikulapo is the Programme Chairman of the Committee for Relevant Art (CORA) and the organiser of the 26-year-old Lagos Book and Art Festival (LABAF). He is also a former Editor of TheGuardian on Sunday.