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The Minister for
information, Dora Akunyili, will be a guest speaker at the next edition
of Felabration, scheduled to hold from October 1 to 7. This was
announced at a press conference held on August 4, by the Felabration
committee, ‘Viva Africa’, along with other programmes of events for the
forthcoming celebration of the 72nd birthday of Afrobeat legend, Fela
Anikulapo Kuti. The celebration would also mark the tenth anniversary
of the New Africa Shrine.

Chatting with
Journalists, Fela’s daughter and founder of the yearly festival, Yeni
Kuti, disclosed that for the first time since its inception, some of
the activities will hold outside the New Africa Shrine. In what is seen
as a widening of the event, Yeni said, “For the first time, Felabration
will be leaving its traditional abode, New Africa shrine, for the Lagos
Island. The idea behind the move is to allow Fela’s lovers and
enthusiasts living on that axis to enjoy themselves under a convivial
atmosphere, close to home.”

Chair of the
festival committee, Theo Lawson, promised a two-pronged celebration of
both Fela’s birthday as well as 13 years since his passing. Lawson said
the event, which kicks off on Independence Day, will also commemorate
Nigeria’s Golden Jubilee.

Funding issues

Although the
Felabration committee plans big, funding remains an issue. Though many
international and home-based artists have been invited to participate
in the festival, the economic situation in the country may mean that
not all those who have shown interest in participating can be involved.
“A lot of the artistes want to be a part of Felabration 2010, but we do
not have enough money to buy flight tickets for them to come,’’ said
Lawson.

The festival, which
is to begin at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos on October 1, will
include: a debate on the Fela- documentary film, ‘Music Is A Weapon’,
which will also see the launch of the Viva Africa theme song. Other
guest speakers expected to participate at the debate are: lawyer and
activist, Femi Falana; Yemi Osibajo; and Theophile Obenga.

Some of the highlights

Other items on the
programme, include: quizzes, dances and musical performances by foreign
and Nigerian artists. Among these are masked musician Lagbaja and King
Sunny Ade who appear at the New Africa Shrine October 2 to October 4. A
documentary on the history of Fela will be shown; and a quiz on his
life, tagged, ‘Felamatrix’, which will be thrown out to members of the
audience. October 5 and 6 will be set aside for a celebration of Fela’s
birthday; and a carnival train will cruise through the Ikeja axis.

The grand finale of
the event will hold on October 7, the highlight of which will be a
concert featuring all the invited artists, as a tribute to the late
Afrobeat Legend. According to Yeni, “The grand finale will be at the
New Africa shrine, where fans of Fela can enjoy themselves”.

Responding to media
questions about security and arrangements for the press during this
year’s Felabration, Yeni assured that, “Provisions will be made for
journalists to move freely without any disturbance. Maximum security
will be available throughout the event.”

Finally, Yeni expressed her hope that more sponsors will come on
board to make the forth-coming festival a successful one. She appealed
for support as Viva Africa attempts to make this year’s edition of
“Felabration” the best since the commencement of the project, 10 years
ago.