Ade A. Olufeko

Ade Abayomi Olufeko[lower-alpha 1] (born 1980), is a designer, technologist, and entrepreneur primarily active in West Africa. Consortiums, NGOs, and noteworthy personalities have leveraged his multidisciplinary work in the creative industry. [1]

In this Ijebu name, the family yoruba name is Olufeko.
Ade Olufeko
Olufeko in Queens, 2008
Born1980 (1980)
Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S.
NationalityNigerian
American
Other namesAdéolu, Abayomi
Occupation
  • Technologist
  • entrepreneur
  • author
OrganizationThe Avenue Creative, Ltd.
Known forHumanities and innovation, Founding of Visual Collaborative
Notable work
North Star (2019)
Remember To Rise (2018)
Philosophers Legacy (2017)
Home townSurulere, Lagos
Awards2003 IBM Gerstner Award

His international work in the field of humanities focuses on creative nonfiction, bringing awareness of regional and global issues. During the decade of the 2000s, he created e-commerce solutions and owned digital properties in web hosting, providing white-label services which expanded into Africa. In 2003, he became a recipient of the IBM Gerstner Award for exceptional service during a malware epidemic.[lower-alpha 2] He is the founder of Visual Collaborative, a festival, and publishing platform that partners with artists, scientists, and innovators on socio-economics.[2]

Olufeko's long-standing involvement in technology, exhibitions, keynotes and lectures at institutions such as the University Of Oxford, Yale University and Harvard Business School, has been covered by various media, such as Leadership news and Voice of America.[3][4] In 2017, his research in design and its intersections with culture, led to a journey inside Sungbo's Eredo, bringing the rampart's narrative back into social dialogue.[5][6]

Biography

Early life and education

Ade Abayomi Olufeko, born in Minneapolis, is of Ijebu descent.[2][7] His father, Abayomi Sr. was an accountant, His mother, Olubola, a businesswoman and educator in fashion and textiles.[8][9]  He returned to Lagos with his parents in childhood, growing up in the mainland city of Surulere, during Nigeria's Second Republic receiving his primary education at Unilag staff school and later St. Gregory's College in Obalende for his secondary education.[10] In the mid-1990s he returned to Minneapolis for further studies and International Baccalaureate at MPS, and for a period was a resident of the historic Stevens Square.[2][11] He is an alumnus of Metropolitan State University, where he studied computer science and multimedia.[12][13] He was named Ifihàn ìrawọ in Yoruba by his father, which translates to Epiphany.[14]

Career

Work as technologist, IBM and Visual Collaborative

Olufeko began his technology career in youth during the dot-com era, working in motion graphics, internet infrastructure and hardware for companies such as Ameritech and 3M's Imation.[lower-alpha 3] His focus developed into digital strategy, information architecture and software support, consulting for companies in the mass communications, music, health and finance industries such as Atlantic Records, PayPal, Adobe Systems, Bank of America, Shavlik Technologies and Target; to American celebrities such as Amel Larrieux, Ladybug Mecca and other high-profile personalities.[lower-alpha 4] [2] During the convergence of his work, whilst developing professional connections on the east coast, he relocated to New York City, working for media conglomerate Warner Music Group.[4] In 2007, Olufeko founded Visual Collaborative, a seasonal traveling exhibition.[2][9] The U.S initiated platform draws on the tenets of socioeconomics and intersects Olufeko's vocational interests in diverse media, creativity and technology.[2] Since the launch of the platform, he has collaborated in 20 cities with over 150 artists.[4] In 2015, he returned to serve as the curator of the platform, further showcasing the work of diverse artists and multidisciplinary creatives.[12][15] Following a hiatus from the corporate environment, in 2016 he returned for a few years suspending activities with Visual Collaborative, to work as a management consultant for IBM's Interactive Experience service line.[16]

In the British spring season of 2018, London Business School held its annual business summit, centered around scaling enterprises on the African continent, the institution collaborated with Olufeko, taking place at the Landmark he moderated the socio-cultural panel, It featured renowned fashion designer Ozwald Boateng OBE, media personality Banky W., the manager of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti; Rikki Stein, also joined by an executive of Sony Music West Africa, Michael Ugwu.[17][18][19][20][21]

Interdisciplinary impact, Keynote lectures and panels
Olufeko imparting to scientists on Visual design at American Chemical Society in DC. c.2015

Olufeko's lectures engage technology with contemporary issues such as governance, ethics, innovation and culture.[15] In 2019, Olufeko delivered the opening keynote at the Africana conference for African Peace and Development at Yale University, where he also served as a panelist imparting on topics of Innovation and Development in Africa.[22][23] In April of the same year, he moderated a panel at Columbia University on the business of art and literature.[24] In 2018, he accepted an invitation from Georgetown University and gave a series of talks and a fireside chat on the relationship of the African value chain and cognitive design.[25]

From 2011–2017, Olufeko gave lectures speaking at; Oxford University, Harvard Business School, Carnegie Mellon and Lagos Business School.[16][26][27][28] In 2017, Olufeko spoke at TEDxIkeja on Visual Metaphors and its collaborations.[29][30] He has also appeared on TVC news and Voice Of America, the latter described Olufeko as an expert who advances the cause of humanities in the creative economy.[31][32] According to Business Day, his presentations have been on innovation, multidisciplinary design and collaborations.[9] In 2016, he was invited to join other thought leaders at Covenant University discussing technology and governance in Nigeria.[33]

In 2011, Olufeko spoke in Harlem, New York on a panel about the cultural exchange between the United States and the African continent, a forum put together by the New York African Chorus Ensemble and the Harlem Arts Alliance.[34] His body of interactive work on websites — during the dot-com, incorporated ambient and African music loops, drawing thousands of Nigerian students from college dormitories globally.[35]

Culture shock and advisory work in Nigeria
Olufeko hosted as a keynote by World Economic Forum Global Shapers at the Civic Innovation Lab in Abuja, 2017

In 2008 on the cusp of the Great Recession, Olufeko started on many visits to and around Nigeria reacquainting with the region. Embracing economics of the sub-Sahara's emerging market, he engaged as an independent consultant advising with the branding effort of various indigenous businesses, getting them on the World Wide Web.[36][2] In November 2018, Olufeko was invited by a Senior Special Assistant of the Nigerian President to speak at the Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit.[37][38]

" his expertise in technology engages with Africa and the world. Furthermore, he is the quintessential son of the soil who, even after spending a good part of his life abroad, keeps on finding ways to share his knowledge in Nigeria and with the West African region for its own benefit."

— Soni Irabor and team, speaking about Olufeko, on LTV television interview. The Punch [39]  

In 2017, his observations of the Nigerian technology ecosystem were described by Incubate Africa as an "eye-opener".[40] The same year, Olufeko's interview on prominent Victoria Island radio station Smooth 98.1 FM, "demystified unaddressed African complexes in social interactions".[41] For his fieldwork and as founder of Visual Collaborative, he was invited as a keynote to speak at World Economic Forum initiative; Global Shapers, discussing disruptive Innovation.[42]

Olufeko's public appearances on societal topics like innovation or culture has occasionally been classified with a Zen-like approach.[4][43] In the same year, Vanguard News highlighted Olufeko's business advisory activities in the creative ecosystem, citing his advocacy of African women entrepreneurs, in connection with IWD.[1] His keynote lecture at the March 2018 WordPress conference in Lagos, covered digital cohesion, societal value of interoperable systems and Big data in West Africa.[9][43][44] On August 18, 2018, Olufeko delivered a talk on Design thinking and the intersection of art and design, to a sold-out audience during a TEDxLagos event at the Muson Centre.[45][46][47]

Art

Cognitive style

Self-taught as a digital painter, Olufeko's creative process as an avocation evolved over a decade. Inspired by the convergence of design and technology, 3D geometry, fractals and econometrics are consistent elements in his exhibited work. It explores Afrofuturism, experimental Chaos theory and Counterculture.[10] He is a member of the Society for Neuroscience.[48][6]

Philosophers Legacy heirloom juxtaposed, deep inside Sungbo's Eredo c.2017
A digital painting by Olufeko exhibited on Austin Street in Queens, New York 2011 [49]

In 2012, Olufeko teaming up with anti-oppression activist artist Ben Jones, collaborated with first amendment lawyer Marvin Ammori, classic pianist Berenika, Internet freedom activist Sascha Meinrath and D.C poet Jonathan B. Tucker, in a popup exhibition showcasing new art work and music in Washington D.C.[50]

Influences and public resonance

In various interviews Olufeko credited the social cohesion of Surulere, and places like the National Arts Theatre as leaving lasting impressions during his childhood. According to The Punch his influences have ranged diversely from Luis Barragan for architecture, Hillman Curtis for new media design and Yugo Nakamura for pioneering interactive and motion graphic work.[51]

Olufeko credits his mother an educator and illustrator in fashion and textiles, for her collaborative and business influence, she ran a fashion institute in Surulere during the 1980s and 1990s.[1] Feminine or yin related subjects have appeared in his abstract art pieces, aligning to his advocacy of women and his respect to many matriarchy figures.[52] This subsequently led to several internationally recognized NGOs on Female genital mutilation (FGM) and human trafficking to leverage his artwork.[51]

Selected exhibitions

Literary works

Olufeko served as the guest Editor in Chief for the Polaris open-access e-journal. In 2019, he designed the publication's style guide to conduct over 100 interviews. The catalogue explores creative disciplines, perspectives and intrinsic value of the featured practitioners and how they interact with society.  This collective is said to have been designed to iterate over time as a value-add service model for content providers, academic institutions and incubators.[56]

  • Polaris (Collective's first issue, April 2019) [57]
  • Voyager, Volume 2 (June 2019) [58]
  • Vivencias, Volume 3 (September 2019) [59]
  • Supernova, Volume 4 (December 2019) [60]
  • TwentyEightyFour, Volume 5 (May 2020) [61]

Awards and recognition
  • In 2003, Olufeko received the IBM Gerstner award in Global Business Services.[1][9]
  • NABF (Nigerian American Business Forum) Young entrepreneur achievement Award 2018.[25]
  • In 2019, Olufeko received an award of special recognition serving a judge for the Prof. Ayodele Awojobi design and engineering competition.[6]

Selected bibliography
  • Ade Olufeko and the Resurrection of Cheikh Anta Diop. Pan African Voices for Freedom and Justice – Pambazuka Chika Ezeanya. (Nov, 2016) [44]
  • The Visual Collabo Visionary – Diaspora Quarterly 107,108,109. Lamide Akintobi.[62]

Notes
  1. Simply known as Adé, Pronounced /ɑːˈdeɪ/; ah-DAY Yoruba: Adé Olúfẹ́kọ́ pronounced [Adé Olúfẹ́kọ́].
  2. For customer excellence and countermeasure teamwork during the Blaster Worm epidemic.
  3. In the early aughts, his interactive design work was showcased by adjuncts in selected courses by British training organization Learndirect.[12]
  4. Following the Bravebird album and its subsequent release Morning, Olufeko contributed digital design and advisory work to Larrieux's record label.
  5. On January 17, 2013, several digital paintings by Olufeko were showcased and leveraged at a fundraiser which Somaly Mam was guest of honor, this took place at the Hudson Terrace in New York City. The evening brought together influencers and celebrities featuring composers such as Chloe Flower supporting the Somaly Mam Foundation.[55]
gollark: The category of Macrons is equivalent to the homotopy category of the category with weak equivalences PSh(C)PSh(C) with the weak equivalences given by W=W = local isomorphisms. The converse is also true: for every left exact functor L:PSh(S)→PSh(S)L : PSh(S) \to PSh(S) (preserving finite limits) which is left adjoint to the inclusion of its image, there is a Grothendieck topology on SS such that the image of LL is the category of Macrons on SS with respect to that topology.
gollark: What if Macron literally LLVM backend?
gollark: It was hilarious.
gollark: We convinced Firecubez that Macron was a real language.
gollark: If we define Macron as the category Sh(S)Sh(S) of (set-valued) macrons on a (small) site SS, which is a Grothendieck topos, then the category of macrons on (C,J)(C,J) is the full subcategory of the category of premacrons.

References
  1. Ibiwoye Dotun (March 28, 2017). "The future is considerably female— Ade Olufeko". Vanguard Nigeria. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  2. Taiwo, Yetunde (March 2012). "Behind the Technology: Super Cool Nerd!". Made Magazine. Vol. 20. Lagos.
  3. Abulude, Samuel (17 June 2020). "Ade Olufeko Bridges Talents To Achieve Creative Economy". Leadership (newspaper). Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  4. "Ade Abayomi Olufeko: A Mid-career Retrospective of a Multidisciplinary Technologist with Africa's 2020s in view". May 28, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-05-28. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  5. "Sungbo Eredo Back Into Awareness Anda A Path Forward With This Xennial". June 19, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-06-19. Retrieved July 16, 2019.
  6. "Sungbo's Eredo Monument Back to Awareness". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  7. "The American Library Installation". November 11, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-11-14. Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  8. "AML 113: (Exclusive) Technologist Ade Olufeko on the Future of Music Technology in Nigeria & Africa's Music Industry". Podcast by Africa Music Law. Retrieved 1 June 2018.
  9. "Techpreneur One on One with Ade Olufeko". Business Day. August 22, 2016. Retrieved Nov 18, 2017. (Subscription required.)
  10. "Abayomi Olufeko" (PDF). No. 37. Newwebpick ‘Design for Designers’. Retrieved January 3, 2018. Cite magazine requires |magazine= (help)
  11. "Ade Olufeko's Cultureshock story as an innovator and his likes is what Lagos continues to leverage" (Guardian Arts). Thr Guardian. 12 March 2020. Retrieved 5 April 2020.
  12. "Ade Olufeko 2013 Speaker Profile". Social Media Week. Retrieved 14 Oct 2017.
  13. Banjo, Ayo (1 Aug 2018). "Guest Speaker's Corner, Profile of Ade Olufeko". The Lagos Rotarian. No. 5. Lagos.
  14. "Ade Olufeko Speaks On Irabor's Show". Samurahh. April 30, 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  15. "Accomplished visual artist Ade Olufeko weighs in on his work and The Africas - Soundcloud.com". The Africas. Retrieved January 8, 2016.
  16. "LBS Africa Business Conference ABC Rolls Out Africa We See Campaign". YNaija. January 27, 2016. Retrieved Oct 15, 2017.
  17. "Ade Olufeko moderates socio-cultural panel at London Business School African Summit". The Punch. May 17, 2018. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  18. "Exciting times for business in Africa". London Business School. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  19. Adesoji Solanke (April 18, 2018). "Big, Bold & Impact". London Business School. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  20. BellaNaija.com (May 1, 2018). "Countdown to LBS Africa Business Summit! Meet Banky W, Michael Ugwu on the Socio-Cultural Panel May 12th". BellaNaija. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  21. BellaNaija.com (July 13, 2018). "Banky W, Tara & Fela Durotoye attend the LBS Africa Business Summit". BellaNaija. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
  22. "Ade Olufeko speaks at Yale University, collaborates with Bahia Shehab, others in new collective". New Telegraph. April 2, 2019. Archived from the original on April 12, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  23. "2019 Yale Conference for African Peace and Development - Panels". Feb 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-03-13. Retrieved April 6, 2019.
  24. "Columbia University African Business Forum - Panels". Archived from the original on April 5, 2019. Retrieved April 14, 2019.
  25. AsuquoE (Feb 5, 2018). "Polymath Ade Olufeko receives Young entrepreneur achievement Award at NABF in Florida, and speaks at Georgetown University in D.C." Talk Media Africa. Retrieved Feb 15, 2018.
  26. "Ade Olufeko – Oxford Africa Conference 2017". oxfordafricaconference.com. May 19, 2017. Archived from the original on July 8, 2018. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
  27. "Digital Media and Entertainment". HBS African Business Conference. March 1, 2014. Archived from the original on 2014-04-12. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  28. "Ade Olufeko to impart on the digital ecosystem at Oxford University". YNaija. May 19, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  29. Onwuaso, Ugo (13 October 2017). "TEDxIkeja: Adeti, Inlaks CEO Shows How to Achieve Financial Inclusion in Nigeria". Communication Week. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  30. "TEDx Ikeja : Where do we go from here?". TED.com.
  31. tvcnews (March 22, 2017). "Victims of Ransomware attack should pay required ransom - Olufeko". TVC news. Retrieved May 26, 2017.
  32. Makori, Vincent (host) (18 December 2015). "Information Technology Entrepreneur, Ade Abayomi Olufeko". Africa 54. 11:40 minutes in. Voice Of America (VOA).
  33. "Experts to Discuss E-government at Covenant University's Conference". Covenant University. June 2, 2017. Retrieved 14 Oct 2017.
  34. "Dialogue: Africa Meets North America In Harlem". November 3, 2011. Archived from the original on Feb 2018. Retrieved Feb 15, 2018.
  35. "Ade Abayomi Olufeko on Merging Art and Science". Apple Podcasts. The Omenka Pod. Retrieved 4 August 2019.
  36. Onyekwelu, Stephen (13 June 2020). "From media design, The Avenue Creative goes beyond technology". Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  37. "Ade Abayomi Olufeko Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit". Archived from the original on April 14, 2019. Retrieved April 13, 2019.
  38. "Steering for Greatness Global Advisory Council". Retrieved 14 October 2019.
  39. "Soni Irabor, technologist Ade Olufeko discuss 'Between Generations'". The Punch. April 25, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  40. "The Buzzwords Startups and the Brain-Drain Game by the Millenial Techies". Incubate Africa. Sep 17, 2017. Retrieved Oct 15, 2017.
  41. "Technologist Ade Abayomi Olufeko: "There is no (tech) ecosystem in Nigeria, there are just societies and clubs"". Africa Music Law. Sep 12, 2017. Retrieved Oct 15, 2017.
  42. "Meet The Leader Series". September 2017. Archived from the original on Sep 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  43. "Ade Olufeko to give Keynote Address at Wordcamp Lagos 2018". P.M Express. March 5, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  44. Ezeanya-Esiobu, Chika. "Ade Olufeko and the resurrection of Cheik Anta Diop". Pambazuka News. Retrieved 15 Oct 2017.
  45. "Olasupo Sasore, Bankole Wellington, Simi Adeagbo, others deliver inspiring talks at event co-sponsored by Union Bank". Pulse. Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  46. Ukiwe, Urenna. "TEDXLagos Exciting "Spotlight" Set To Hold". The Guardian (Nigeria). Retrieved 17 September 2018.
  47. "TEDx Lagos : Spotlight". TED.com. Retrieved 25 December 2018.
  48. "SfN Member Detail". Archived from the original on Jan 2019. Retrieved Feb 10, 2019.
  49. "Local artist finds alternative way to break into the art scene". Knot Move. September 13, 2011. Archived from the original on November 8, 2017. Retrieved January 3, 2018.
  50. Kristy Samone (September 28, 2012). "Pop Up Art Exhibition". Archived from the original on Feb 2018. Retrieved Feb 15, 2018.
  51. "Soni Irabor, technologist Ade Olufeko discuss 'Between Generations'". The Punch. April 25, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2018.
  52. Ebonylife TV (April 27, 2018). "The Superwoman Burden". Archived from the original on May 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  53. "Visual Collaborative Art Exhibition, Miami 2008!". Ladybrille. April 15, 2008. Archived from the original on May 4, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
  54. "United for Kids Foundation (UKF) Ambassadors Ball". MP Master Plan events. December 18, 2011. Archived from the original on November 14, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  55. "Brave is Beautiful at the Hudson Terrace in NYC". January 17, 2013. Archived from the original on December 20, 2017. Retrieved December 20, 2017.
  56. "Tosin Oshinowo, Remi Vaughan-Richards, and other Nigerians featured in online catalogue". This Day. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  57. "Bahia Shehab, Bobby Yan, others feature on Visual Collaborative". The Punch. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 May 2019.
  58. Bankole, Idowu (17 June 2019). "Seun Kuti, Chris Uwaje, others to feature on American platform, 'Visual Collaborative". Retrieved 6 July 2019.
  59. "Dakore Akande, Swaady Martin, Kelli Ali, Adelaide Damoah and Husani Oakley Feature on Visual Collaborative". Odyssey2. Odyssey (publication). Archived from the original on 12 October 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
  60. Onyekwelu, Stephen (4 December 2019). "LIFE & ARTS Nse Ikpe-Etim, William Coupon, others drive creative sector SDG". Business Day. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  61. Onyekwelu, Stephen (6 May 2020). "Les Nubians, Rika, Chigul, Dakore feature in TwentyEightyFour". Business Day (Nigeria). Retrieved 15 May 2020.
  62. "Ade Olufeko/Visual Colabo Q&A". November 11, 2018. Archived from the original on 2018-06-02. Retrieved October 12, 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.