About Us

Celebrating The New Yam

  • Art
  • Culture 
  • Tourism 
  • Sports
  • Tradition 

Our Vision

To promote the Peaceful coexistence among all the ethnic Nationalities.

Castledown Arts Center is an organization registered with Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture since the year 2003, with the aim of promoting Tourism,  “Eko Onibaje New Yam Festival” with over a decade of celebrating Africa’s cultural heritage. From Ozunba Nbadiwe, down to Lekki Beach, recently; officials of the Lagos State Task force demolished the arena, spanning 4000sq meters alongside other properties located on that axis of Ibeju-Lekki, near Eleko Junction in Lagos.

But by His grace still waxing stronger live at the present location the Lekki Trade Center, Lekki Epe Expressway IbejuLekki Lagos. Promoting peaceful co-existence among all the multi ethnic Nationalities in Nigeria through Art, Culture, Agro-Tourism, Sport and Music.

Using YAM A VERITABLE TOOL FOR NATIONAL UNITY.

This festival has metamorphosed into a cultural melting pot of all tribal nationalities living in Lagos, with enthusiasts, musicians and tourists across the globe visiting every year.

 

 

The festival, drew people from different parts of the world to one of the most attractive cultural-tourism centers in Lagos, with special recognition by:

  • The Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC)
  • Centre for Black Arts and African Civilization (CBAAC)
  • Ibeji-Lekki Community
  • Government officials
  • Community leaders, and council chiefs
  • Corporate Bodies
  • Small Business Enterprise
  • And Development Authority in Nigeria. The Eko Onibaje New Yam festival with banquet to honour the African cultural heritage having recently got the Lagos State Government endorsement.

The festival celebrates the World Tourism Day within the   3 – 4 days fiesta and features:

  • Children’s Cultural Fiesta
  • Cultural Troupe Performance
  • Fashion Show
  • Arts Exhibition
  • Business Expo
  • Eko Oni Baje Beauty Pageant
  • Grassroots Football Tournament
  • Traditional Wrestling Competition

Yam is one of the staple food items in Nigeria that is universal as all tribes have their unique way of celebration.

Typically, New Yam Festival provides a heritage of dances, feasting, renewal of kinship alliances, as well as marks the end of one agricultural season with a harvest to express gratitude and thanksgiving to the society, God, friends and relations

Castledown Arts Center’s aim of the New Yam festival is to officially present the newly harvested yam to the ancestors and God, as it is an avenue to appreciate God for sustainability in growth and development. It is a call for respect of African traditions and culture.

The New Yam festival is not only an Igbo festival, it is a cultural integration festival that aims in the unification of Nigerians in the world, although it is well known in the South East regions of Nigeria. The unique festival is to celebrate the mystical nature of yam as a symbolism of unity.

“Ife ji oku” is an age long celebration of unity.