Kwara State governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has revealed that he visited the shrine of late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti within the Nineteen Eighties.
The governor made the disclosure on Monday at a commemorative exhibition tagged Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: A Retrospective, organised by the Kwara State Government on the Institute of Contemporary African Art & Film (ICAAF) on Ahmadu Bello Way, Ilorin.
His revelation drew loud applause from the viewers, which included veteran Nollywood actors.
AbdulRazaq additionally named the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and a few senior army officers amongst those that visited Fela’s shrine through the interval.
The governor mentioned the exhibition was greater than a tribute to the musician, describing it as a part of the state authorities’s efforts to protect African tales, promote cultural training and create alternatives within the artistic trade.
“When we established the Institute of Contemporary African Art & Film, our vision was clear: development must go beyond roads, bridges and buildings to create spaces for creativity, knowledge and opportunity,” he mentioned.
He described Fela as greater than a musician, noting that his music challenged conventions and raised questions on energy, freedom, identification and justice.
AbdulRazaq mentioned the exhibition used pictures, archival supplies, movies, graphic works and different inventive expressions to discover Fela’s life and enduring affect.
He added that the institute was designed to assist youthful generations perceive the musician’s legacy whereas selling artistic enterprise, attracting guests and strengthening Kwara’s place in Nigeria’s cultural and artistic trade.
Fela’s daughter, Yeni Kuti, thanked the state authorities for honouring her father, regardless of his not being from Kwara State.
“Fela is not from Kwara State, but you have celebrated him in a very commendable way. His Excellency, thank you for sponsoring this,” she mentioned.
She added that the exhibition demonstrated that her father’s identification transcended ethnic boundaries.
“This event has shown that Fela was not a Yoruba or Igbo man, but an African, and Kwara has just made all realise this,” she mentioned.
Earlier, the state Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju, mentioned the exhibition supplied a possibility to revisit Fela’s life and works and study how his music and concepts continued to affect generations.
She mentioned the federal government was creating alternatives for younger folks via investments in movie, style and know-how.
Olukoju cited the Sugar Film Factory, Garment Factory and Ilorin Innovation Hub as tasks aimed toward growing expertise and supporting enterprise.
She added that ICAAF, previously often known as the Ilorin Visual Arts Centre, would supply a platform for inventive expression, cultural studying and artistic collaboration.
Dignitaries on the occasion included Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and APC governorship candidate, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu; Mukthar Shagaya; the governor’s senior adviser and counsellor, Saadu Salahu; and Senior Assistant on Security, Muyideen Aliyu.
Members of the State Executive Council, commissioner-designates Afeez Abolore and Ali Jimoh, and APC House of Representatives candidate Abdulquwwiy Olododo additionally attended.
Nollywood actors current included Muka Ray, Yinka Kadir and Ibrahim Chatta.
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