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EDAOTO SINGS FOR PROFESSOR WOLE SOYINKA
“As always, this Afrobeat artiste performed to the teaming audience at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, venue of this celebration. Evidently, one of his songs titled Fe ni fo ro, has become a national anthem as the entire audience in the hall took the song off his mouth.”
On the 13th of last month Professor Wole Soyinka, Africa first Noble Laurent for literature turned 77 years. Felicitations for him came from every corner of the world. This is not a surprise. It has always been the story, every year, for some time now. Even though it may be difficult to place hand on when this man of letter’s birthday celebration becomes a national event, a la global, it would certainly not be too far from the time of his investiture into the Stockholm circle.
Sometimes, against Professor Wole Soyinka’s disposition, literates go ahead to mark his birthday. So much that art and literary enthusiasts look forward to this annual ritual that always take more than just a day to celebrate a living legend, one of Africa gifts to humanity.
As part of the programme celebrating the literary icon’s birthday this year, National Association of Nigeria Theatre Arts Practitioners, NANTAP, Lagos State chapter rolled out series of programmes. One such programme was Edaoto performance. As always, this Afrobeat artiste performed to the teaming audience at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos, venue of this celebration. Evidently, one of his songs titled Fe ni fo ro, has become a national anthem as the entire audience in the hall took the song off his mouth.
The audience disaffections at his leaving the stage at the end of his performance was returned when again Edaoto re-appeared on stage to provide a musical accomplishment for Dayo liadi ijodii, the well travelled dancer-chorographer when it was his turn to perform.
Edaoto, the band leader of Edaoto & the Afrogenius Band is not a stranger to solo performance as the one at the auspices of the foremost thespians’ association in Nigeria. It is what exigency like low budget the organizer could provide. Nevertheless, this does not always diminish his output in any way.
