The Lagos State Government has revealed plans to honour Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti on the 2017 edition of his week-long Felabration.
In a statement released by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, the Lagos state Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode said the honour is in line with his commitment to promote art and tourism and to celebrate prominent figures who have contributed to the image and development of the state.
Sunday, October 15, marks the concluding part of the week-long celebration of the Afro-beat legend’s 79th posthumous birthday and 20th anniversary of his death.
The commissioner said that Governor Ambode will also unveil a statue in Fela’s memory at Allen Roundabout, Ikeja on the same day.
He also said the Governor will pay a visit to the Kalakuta Museum on Gbemisola Street, Ikeja where he will join Fela’s family and devotees to pay homage to the music icon.
The commissioner said that the day and the event will be concluded with a Special Lagos Jump – a musical tribute to the man honoured at the Afrika Shrine in Agidingbi, Ikeja.
Ayorinde wrote:
“Fela did not only capture the global audience as a charismatic and energetic musician using Lagos as his base; he was revered for fighting against corruption and oppression even at the risk of imprisonment or death. His creativity, courage, passion and extraordinary ability to rise against the odds are trademarks of a true Lagosian.”
“Fela is a global icon and one of the biggest success stories from Lagos. Monuments are erected across the State to remember the contributions of people like him to preserve their legacies and our history as a people’.
“Standing at 25 feet and titled ‘Liberation’, the statue is done in fibreglass by artist Abolore Sobayo of Cowrie Studios as ‘an iconic legacy to celebrate Fela’s unique dress sense and style of salute.”
