Oladele Ayorinde

Music/Anthropology et al. || focus=Music and Political Economy of Everyday Life in Africa/ Black Diaspora/Global Africanness|
Ethno/Musicology l Int. Politics

[Benin Built @Benin_Construit]

🔴 Le jour où Angélique Kidjo a CHOQUÉ le monde entier !

[Oladele Ayorinde @OladeleAyorind1]

Hmm, I like this, and I want to keep it here for the same purpose...

[Osita Chidoka @osita_chidoka]

Advice To Young Nigerians: Don't Let Your CV Define you

"My wish for you is not that Harvard becomes the last thing people know about you, but instead that Harvard becomes the least important thing people know about you"

@ConanOBrien at Harvard University Class of 2026 Commencement

O'Brien gave words to something that has driven me for the past 11 years: that the offices I once occupied should become the least important thing about me. I never inteoduce myself as former anything. I live in the present.

That is what I love about commencement speeches.

For over fifteen years, every May, I have read and now watch commencement speeches from American universities.

Most people see them as a ceremony. I see them as one of the richest free libraries of wisdom anywhere. Long after my own schooling ended, these speeches keep teaching me about life, leadership, failure, and what it means to be human.

This year, I have listened to many. Three have stayed with me so far.

@RayDalio, founder of Bridgewater, the largest hedge fund in the world, returned to his alma mater, Long Island University, and spoke about the three stages of life.

Dr @LisaSu, a triple MIT graduate in engineering and now CEO of AMD, spoke to a generation anxious about AI and the future of work.

And then Conan O'Brien at Harvard. Graduating with Magna Cum Laude (a First Class) from Harvard, everyone expected him to pursue a prestigious corporate or academic career. Instead, he chose comedy and spent years being underestimated because of it.

His wish for the graduates, he said, was that "Harvard becomes the least important thing people know about you."

That is the whole lesson, and I want every young Nigerian to hear it. Also, he gave them these tips.

Acknowledge Luck: it plays a big role in our lives

Be Ready to Pivot: Always be nimble and ready to adapt

Lead with Kindness: Be humble and nice.

Carry your accomplishments lightly. The school, the title, the office, these may be the first things people know about you. They should never be the most important.

What lasts is the character you build, the value you create, and the people you lift after the applause fades.

Stay humble. Stay adaptable. Be kind.

And never let your CV define you.

Osita Chidoka
4 June 2026

[Oladele Ayorinde @OladeleAyorind1]

Genau! Danke, Herr Kanzler. Frohe Ostern auch Ihnen!

[Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz @bundeskanzler]

Ostern steht für Zuversicht und Neuanfang. Ich wünsche Ihnen und Ihren Familien frohe Ostern.

[Bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz @bundeskanzler]

Ostern steht für Zuversicht und Neuanfang. Ich wünsche Ihnen und Ihren Familien frohe Ostern.

[Oladele Ayorinde @OladeleAyorind1]

@DanielAgbiboa Congratulations!

[Oladele Ayorinde @OladeleAyorind1]

In 2024, I saw Fela Kuti and other African jazz legends in the Darmstadt Jazz Institut's archive collections. But people hardly consider Fela in Jazz discussions. I am excited! This collection will further shape my work in jazz, and global Black music and cultures!

[Oladele Ayorinde @OladeleAyorind1]

Jürgen Habermas's work has been influential in discourse on modernity. His argument that modernity is an "unfinished project" is significant and connects with similar theoretical concepts from the Global South, such as Amos Tutuola's (1952) composite nature of things and ideas.

[The Associated Press @AP]

Jürgen Habermas, whose work on communication, rationality and sociology made him one of the world’s most influential philosophers and a key intellectual figure in his native Germany, has died. He was 96. https://t.co/FFI5TO0oGT

[The Nobel Prize @NobelPrize]

When Elinor Ostrom applied for a PhD in economics she was turned away. Undefeated she took on a different doctorate and in 2009 was the first woman to receive the prize in economic sciences.

Learn more: https://t.co/UE2jLwdmzX

#InternationalWomensDay

[Babajide Sanwo-Olu @jidesanwoolu]

Today, we had the honour of hosting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 2025 Adamu Orisha Play Eyo Festival in Lagos. It was a proud moment for me as governor and as a Lagosian to witness the return of this historic celebration after eight years.

The Eyo Festival is one of the clearest expressions of who we are as Lagosians. Seeing the Eyos glide through our streets in white is a reminder of the deep roots and shared values that hold this city together.

This year’s festival was particularly meaningful as it honoured four outstanding figures who helped shape Lagos and Nigeria, including Mama Abibatu Mogaji, whose life reflected the strength and leadership of Lagos women, as well as Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and Chief Michael Otedola.

I am grateful to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwanu Akiolu, our traditional institutions, and the families of the honourees for preserving this heritage. Lagos continues to honour its past while building its future, and the Eyo Festival remains a powerful reminder of that balance.

[The Organ House Concert and Seminar Series @Organhousemusic]

CALL FOR PAPERS!
The 2nd Organ House International Symposium on African Musics

Send an abstract of 200-250 words + a bio of 100-word to:

[email protected]

Kindly click the links for more details:
https://t.co/Ok7TZD4dVH

https://t.co/YuksfQ1HJo

[Nsibidi Institute @NsibidiInstitut]

The Nsibidi Institute Festival: ‘ Rhythms on Film’ A Music Documentary Day, featuring the following film works: ‘

‘My Father’s Book ‘ by @idhebor Kagho Idhebor; ‘Bamidele’ by @Seal_60team Ed Keazor and Muni King-Keazor; ‘The Alchemists’: A celebration of the art of two masters Oja and Ubo virtuoso @Ogbuojaa Gerald Eze Mmaduabuchi and legendary percussionist and drum maker @richardolatunde and ‘Ije Enu’ by @chikeziexploit Chikezie Ifedobi.

1 - 8pm Sunday, September 28, 2025 - Quintessence, 285 Akin Olugbade Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.

[Oladele Ayorinde @OladeleAyorind1]

@NsibidiInstitut @muyiwamajek2 This looks promising. I am looking forward to the festival!

[Oladele Ayorinde @OladeleAyorind1]

@NsibidiInstitut This is great! Thanks so much for this initiative. It is so inspiring to see how you are mediating time, spaces, people, and history. I have always been a fan of my big egbon @Seal_60team and his work! Thanks so much!

[Oladele Ayorinde @OladeleAyorind1]

Join us for the 2nd Àkójọpọ̀ Pan-African Musicians Network Virtual Workshop — a workshop on grant writing/narrative for projects and written communication...

Date: Sunday, August 10th, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM CST | 6:00 PM WAT
Location: Zoom
Register: https://t.co/jRwPmQl77r

[Oladele Ayorinde @OladeleAyorind1]

Thanks to all the presenters, attendees and the keynote speakers, Prof. Kofi Agawu and Prof. Bode Omojola!

[The Organ House Concert and Seminar Series @Organhousemusic]

Last week’s International Symposium on Art Music was 🔥—keynotes, sharp papers, powerful concerts & real community over great food. Huge thanks to speakers, organizers, students & everyone who made it brilliant. recordings on Youtube!🎶✨ #ArtMusic #Musicology #Symposium2025

[Oladele Ayorinde @OladeleAyorind1]

...the scholarship, creative/artistic work and economic discussion around "African Music" have focused on "in digenous" and popular music categories. But, there is the so-called "African art music", a category of modern African popular culture. What, then, is African art music?

[The Organ House Concert and Seminar Series @Organhousemusic]

Are you wondering what AFRICAN ART MUSIC really is?
Well, this symposium is here to provide solutions to your ponderings!
Do not miss out on this amazing opportunity!
#organhouse #music #internationalsymposium

[The Organ House Concert and Seminar Series @Organhousemusic]

We are also elated to have the quintessential scholar, Prof. Olabode Omojola as one of our keynote speakers for our forthcoming symposium, happening from July 16th to 18th, 2025.
Don't forget to register and be a part of this!
https://t.co/Jiloo1lmxN
#organhouse #africanartmusic

[The Organ House Concert and Seminar Series @Organhousemusic]

As we countdown to our much anticipated International Symposium, we are glad to welcome Prof. Kofi Agawu, one of our keynote speakers.
You shouldn't be told about this, you should have a first-hand experience!
Register now: https://t.co/Jiloo1lmxN
#organhouse #africanartmusic

[Siphiwe Mhlambi @sphiwemhlambi]

Dennis Edwards (1943-2018) and the Motown act The Temptations at Standard Bank Joy of Jazz with former state President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki
Newtown Precinct, Johannesburg
22 August 2013

[Oladele Ayorinde @OladeleAyorind1]

Please join us!
We have an interesting (yet critical) lineup of presentations and a special concert on Friday, July 18, featuring some of the best choirs, performers, and ensembles around...

[The Organ House Concert and Seminar Series @Organhousemusic]

The countdown to the African Art Music Symposium begins!
Join us this Thursday for a community information session on the symposium.
Attendance for the symposium is free, Registration is compulsory!
https://t.co/Jiloo1lmxN
Deadline: July 8, 2025
#organhouse #africanartmusic