The Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, on Sunday said the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, was as an enigmatic artiste who used his art to fight bad governance.
The governor stated this during the inauguration of the ‘Liberation Statue’ in honour of Fela, erected at Allen Roundabout in Ikeja.
The inauguration was part of activities to mark the Fela’s 79th posthumous birthday and the 20th anniversary of his demise.
Ambode said apart from challenging people to free their minds of all inhibitions and actualise their true potential, the late music icon voluntarily turned his back on a life of comfort and privilege.
He said, “The phenomenon that the world knows as Fela was deeply rooted in the evolution of Lagos State. The story of music, art, entertainment and tourism in Lagos and Nigeria cannot be told without an eloquent mention of the Abami eda.
“On this day, October 15, which would have been Fela’s 79th birthday, the government and people of Lagos State celebrate Fela with the inauguration of this ‘Liberation Statue.’
“It has been 20 years since he passed on, but the memories he left us with remain evergreen. Today we celebrate a man who voluntarily turned his back on a life of comfort and privilege, and took up his saxophone as a weapon to fight for the liberation of our people from neo-colonialism and bad governance.
“This ‘Liberation Statue’ is not an image of Fela, but a symbol of Fela’s philosophy. This artwork was created as a form of respect and remembrance to this legend; what he stood for and fought for with his music, his struggle for freedom and Pan-Africanism, among others.”
Ambode said although Fela was no more, he was still alive in his music and in the music of Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti and other artistes who had followed his style of music.
Responding on behalf of the family, Fela’s daughter and social commentator, Yeni Kuti, commended Ambode for honouring her father.
The visual artist who designed the effigy, Abolore Sobayo, said the work was an expression of how he felt about the late Afrobeat legend, saying it was designed to generate discussion about the emancipation of the people.
While justifying the fact that the art work had no head, Sobayo said the design came out of extensive research on what Fela represented through his music.
Others at the event include Yemi Ransome-Kuti, Kunle Kuti, Motunrayo Kuti, Dotun Ransome-Kuti, SAN; Femi Falana; veteran Nollywood actor, Olu Jacobs and his wife, Joke Silva; and Fela’s first manager, Chief Benson Idonije.
Ambode was also at the Kalakuta Museum on Gbemisola Street, Ikeja, where he was received by Fela’s son, Femi.
He later hosted a ‘Special ‘Lagos Jump’ to formally round off Felabration 2017 at the New Afrika Shrine.
