‘Àriyá Eko’ – Celebrating the musical history of Lagos
One bright spot in the sombre and understated celebration of sixty-five years of Nigeria’s Independence was an event that took place at the Shell Hall of the MUSON Centre on Sunday, the 5th of October. It was tagged ‘Àríyá Eko’, and was organised by the EVERGREEN Musical Company, in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism.
Sunday was a gloomy day in Lagos. The sky looked overcast in the morning, and halfway through your Church service, it started to rain quite heavily. You thought about the prospect of your coming journey to the MUSON Centre at the Marina. Your friend Tunde Fagbenle had sent invitation cards and promised that ‘Ariya Eko’ would be something to remember.
“You had known Femi Esho briefly as a jolly good fellow with a distinctive goatee beard. From his school days his heart was in Music, and after a few jobs, including a stint as Personal Secretary to Mobolaji Johnson, first Military Governor of Lagos State, he founded the Evergreen Music company.”
There was already a sizable crowd when you eventually made your way into the hall. A band on the stage was playing old Highlife tunes. You recognised Tunji Sotimirin with his tall cap among the comperes. The chairs and tables were arranged in banquet fashion, and there were glasses and charger plates, as well as a printed menu. Oh, there was going to be lunch, you reflected.
You sat with Tunde and some mutual friends. The conversation turned to Femi Esho, who had founded Evergreen Music, and who sadly died last year, and to Bimbo, his daughter, who was carrying on his legacy.
From the printed programme, you could see that several people who were household names in the history of Music performance and production, and related fields, were to be honoured in the course of the event.
You had known Femi Esho briefly as a jolly good fellow with a distinctive goatee beard. From his school days his heart was in Music, and after a few jobs, including a stint as Personal Secretary to Mobolaji Johnson, first Military Governor of Lagos State, he founded the Evergreen Music company.
He quickly proceeded to obtain copyrights to the works of Nigerian and other African Music legends, and began to promote, document and distribute their works. Such notable figures included Fela Kuti, Victor Olaiya, ET Mensah and Rex Lawson. He chronicled a century of Nigerian music – 1914-2014 in a widely watched NTA documentary. In 2024 he launched the Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation which was planned to be the largest Music Museum and Gallery in Africa, with support from Mountain of Fire Ministries.
Unfortunately, he died shortly afterwards, on June 17, 2024.
His daughter Bimbo, who had taken on the role of CEO of the company before his death, has continued to expand the vision. ‘Àríyá Eko’ – to celebrate and reward the icons who have enriched the musical culture of Lagos, was a logical next step on the journey.
Stella Monye – veteran actress and songstress who many people would remember for her popular song ‘Oko mi ye’ was the first star to be called up on stage to receive her award. Hers was not just a story of talent but sacrifice resilience. She left her musical career for several years at the peak of fame to look after her sick son.
In between bursts of live nostalgic music, other icons were called up to the podium to receive their awards.
When Dele Abiodun – whose real name was Prince Cyril Bamidele Aideyamba Alele, went up on stage, he cut an unusually sombre figure from his familiar ebullience. The reason emerged from his acceptance speech.
‘I am dedicating this award to my daughter who died recently’.
The crowd applauded his bravery and shared his pain momentarily, even as a burst of his sultry Juju music was played.
The hall was now filled – with people, and with excitement.
Ghariokwu Lemi came up for his award. He was the man who did the ‘busy’ cover of Fela’s ALAGBON CLOSE, which you had bought as a medical student. He would go on to draw 26 iconic covers for Fela’s albums, and over 2000 album covers for Nigerian and international music stars. His work has been exhibited as Album Art in different parts of the world.
Other stars stepped up.
Olaolu Akintobi – aka Laolu Akins – member of the famous rock-fusion Lagos band ‘BLO’, producer, mentor and coach to many Nigerian music stars.
Iconic Tee-Mac, who had entertained Lagos and the world with his famous flute for many years.
Dr Ola Balogun, pioneer of indigenous film industry with such films as Ajani Ogun, Aiye, Orun Mooru, and Ija Ominira.
Salawa Abeni treated the audience to a catchy medley of songs as she received her plaque. She was a child prodigy of ‘Waka’ music who had grown up and lived most of her life in the public eye, taking her music global.
The arrival of the Governor of Lagos State caused a stir. He was probably coming from the International EI Electric Boat Race on the Lagos Lagoon.
The Governor presented an award to the big elephant in the room – Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, a man whose voice and lyrics were embedded in the minds of every person who grew up in Lagos and environs. Obey composed a song for the Governor there and then, to which he danced.
The Governor did the honours for some other icons. They were all getting on in years. Mrs Fasoyin of the famous CAC ‘Good Women’s Choir’ who gave the nation ‘Odun Nlo Sopin’ when many in the audience were but children.
Evangelist Adelakun of ‘Ayewa’ fame.
The veteran Gospel songstress Funmi Aragbaiye.
Baba Ajobiewe, whose genre was musical Yoruba poetry known as Ésà Oríkì.
The food was horrible, when it came, which it did not for many in the seated audience, as the service was attended by unseemly chaos among the support staff. A minor detail.
It was an edifying experience, you decided, as your table broke up. A tour de force of your collective past. The collaboration of Evergreen Music company and the Lagos State government was the perfect way to celebrate the richness of Lagos culture, and Nigeria, at sixty-five.