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‘Fela’s spirit is still alive’-Gov. Ambode says as he unveils fela’s statue
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, on Sunday eulogized the virtues of late Afrobeat legend and freedom fighter, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti describing him as an enigmatic artiste who used the platform of his art to agitate for social and human rights by challenging government and people to explore development through social and economic activities that are rooted in African values.
Speaking while unveiling the Liberation Statue in honour of Fela erected at Allen Roundabout in Ikeja as part of activities marking his 79th posthumous birthday and the 20th anniversary of his demise, Governor Ambode said aside from challenging people to free their minds of all inhibitions and actualise their true potentials, the late music icon also 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 the people from neo-colonialism and bad governance.
While insisting that the spirit of Fela was still alive as a movement of social consciousness and justice against oppression, the Governor said the late legend made the world sit up and take notice of the energy of African art and music, adding that he will forever be accorded his position in the global hall of fame of artistes.
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 15th, which would have been Fela’s 79th birthday, the government and people of Lagos State celebrate ‘’Fela’’ with the unveiling 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 mythology; struggle for freedom; fight for human dignity; social consciousness; courage and Pan-Africanism,” the Governor said.
While reiterating the continued commitment of the State Government to fully harness the potentials of entertainment, creative arts and tourism to transform the economy of the State and generate wealth and job opportunities for the people, Governor Ambode said his vision is to create a vibrant arts and culture sector that would empower young and talented population to find their own voices and impact society positively.
He said though Fela was no more, but it was gratifying that he is still alive in his music and in the music of Femi, Seun and other artistes who have followed his style of music, assuring that the unveiled statue would be the first of many to celebrate the Afrobeat icon.
Responding on behalf of the family, Fela’s daughter and social commentator, Yeni Kuti commended Governor Ambode and the artist for coming up with such a monument to recognize and honour their father in a big way, saying that it was a good representation of their late patriarch.
She specifically justified the design of the monument, saying it was the expression of how the artist felt about the late legend.
She said: “Before people on social media will start to say the Fela has no head or it has no hand and so on, it is art and before you abuse us, let me answer quickly. It is art. How an artist feels is how he feels because if he had put a head and the head did not look like Fela, everybody will say the head did not look like Fela so now you cannot abuse the head because it is not even there.
“The artist has said it is a spirit and when Fela was alive, he hated statues and so I think this effigy is a good representation of what Fela would have wanted because he did not like statues and that is why at the Museum you will notice that there is no statue of Fela. Everybody wants to do his statue and I have fought against it. So, this one I can accept it and so I want to thank the artist who designed it and also thank Governor Ambode for recognizing Fela in a big way.”
The visual artist who designed the effigy, Abolore Sobayo said the work was an expression of how he feels about the late Afrobeat legend, saying that 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, and how to use same to correct some of the things he complained about years ago that are still happening.
“For me as an artist, art transcends beyond beauty or aesthetics. For me, art should generate discuss; art should ask question and art should provoke our thoughts. For me, the creation of the Liberation Statue is to represent the essence of Fela by using his costume.
“For me, I believe that this should serve as a conscious to our subconscious that twenty years after Fela’s demise, most of the things he talked about are still happening. For me, this work should come to us not just as a beautiful work, but it should come to us as something that will ginger us to look at the positivity in our lives; positivity in the values of his music; for us to start to emancipate our people positively. Going forward, I have been able to use symbolism as a medium to represent Fela through his costume and to represent his essence,” Sobayo said.
The event was attended by notable members of late Fela’s family including Yemi Ransome-Kuti (Head of family), Seun Kuti, Kunle Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Motunrayo Kuti, Dotun Olukoye Ransome-Kuti, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana; veteran Nollywood actor, Pa Olu Jacobs and his wife, Joke Silva; Fela’s first manager, Chief Benson Idonije, among others.
Governor Ambode was also at the Kalakuta Museum on Gbemisola Street, Ikeja where he was received by Afrobeat star and Fela’s son, Femi Kuti, among other family and devotees of the late music icon.
He later hosted a Special Lagos Jump to formally round off Felabration 2017 at the New Afrika Shrine, thereby becoming the first Governor in his official capacity to visit the shrine to end the show.
From Chicago to the Chair of Peter: Pope Leo XIV Makes History
By George O. Sylvester
On May 8, 2025, history was made within the walls of the Vatican as Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a Chicago-born prelate with deep roots in Latin America, was elected the 267th pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Taking the name Pope Leo XIV, he becomes the first American-born pontiff in the Church’s two-millennia history, a milestone that underscores the evolving global nature of Catholicism.
A Historic Election
The conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV was notable not only for its outcome but also for its efficiency. The College of Cardinals, comprising 133 electors, the largest in history convened in the Sistine Chapel and, after just four ballots over two days, signaled their decision with the traditional white smoke. The swift consensus reflects the cardinals’ shared vision for the Church’s future, seeking a leader who embodies both continuity and renewal.
In his first public address from the balcony of St. Peter’s Basilica, Pope Leo XIV greeted the faithful with the words, “Peace be with all of you!” This simple yet profound message set the tone for a papacy aiming to bridge divides and promote unity within the Church and the broader global community.
A Life of Service and Scholarship
Born on September 14 1955 in Chicago, Robert Francis Prevost entered the Order of Saint Augustine and was ordained a priest in 1982. His academic pursuits led him to earn advanced degrees in canon law from the Pontifical College of St. Thomas Aquinas. However, it was his missionary work in Peru that defined much of his ecclesiastical career. Serving as bishop in the Diocese of Chiclayo, he became a naturalized Peruvian citizen in 2015, reflecting his deep commitment to the communities he served.
His tenure in Peru was marked by a focus on social justice and outreach to marginalized populations. This experience informed his later work in the Vatican, where he was appointed Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops in 2023, overseeing the selection and appointment of bishops worldwide.
A Papal Name with Purpose
Choosing the name Leo XIV, the new pope aligns himself with the legacy of Pope Leo XIII, known for his 1891 encyclical “Rerum Novarum,” which addressed the rights and conditions of workers and laid the groundwork for modern Catholic social teaching. This choice signals Pope Leo XIV’s intention to continue advocating for social justice, labor rights and the dignity of the poor and oppressed.
Navigating Contemporary Challenges
Pope Leo XIV inherits a Church grappling with numerous challenges, including declining attendance in Western countries, debates over doctrine and social issues and the need for continued reform in the wake of clerical abuse scandals. His background suggests a leader prepared to address these issues with both compassion and resolve.
While maintaining traditional Catholic teachings on matters such as the priesthood and marriage, Pope Leo XIV has shown a willingness to engage in dialogue on contentious issues. He has emphasized the importance of pastoral care and inclusivity, particularly concerning immigrants and the marginalized.
A Global Reception
The election of an American pope has been met with enthusiasm across the United States and Latin America. In Peru, where he served for many years, celebrations erupted, with many expressing pride in his elevation to the papacy. In the U.S., Catholics see his election as an opportunity to reinvigorate the Church’s presence and address local concerns, such as priest shortages and declining participation.
World leaders have also extended their congratulations. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed hope that Pope Leo XIV’s pontificate would “contribute to strengthening dialogue and the defense of human rights in a world in need of hope and unity.”
Looking Ahead
As Pope Leo XIV begins his papacy, he faces the monumental task of guiding the Catholic Church through a complex and rapidly changing world. His unique blend of American roots, Latin American experience and Vatican leadership positions him to address both internal Church matters and broader global issues.
His commitment to peace, unity and social justice, coupled with a deep understanding of diverse cultures and communities, offers a hopeful vision for the future of the Catholic Church. As he embarks on this new chapter, Catholics worldwide will look to Pope Leo XIV for leadership that honors tradition while embracing the need for renewal and inclusivity.
In the words of Pope Leo XIV himself: “Peace be with all of you!” A simple greeting that carries the weight of a new era for the Catholic Church.
Nigeria’s Real Political Party: The Party of Defectors
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
In the ever-chaotic theater of Nigerian politics, there is one political party that has never lost a single election, one party whose membership transcends ideology, region or religion: The Decampee Party. Call it satirical, call it tragic, but it is the harsh and honest reality of Nigeria’s political ecosystem. This unofficial but most dominant party is powered not by vision or values, but by opportunism, betrayal and a deep-rooted contempt for the Nigerian electorate.
Across Nigeria’s political spectrum, party affiliation has become a farce. Politicians jump ship more often than they deliver basic amenities. The concept of loyalty to a party manifesto, ideology or principle has eroded. Instead, politicians dance to the rhythm of self-preservation, defecting whenever personal ambition or legal battles threaten their current status.
A Culture of Defection: A Brief History
Defection in Nigerian politics dates back to the First Republic, but it has become a normalized tradition in the Fourth Republic. The 1999 Constitution under Section 68(g) provides a loophole: legislators can defect if there is a division in their party. Nigerian politicians have weaponized this provision to justify shameless defections that have little to do with principle and everything to do with political survival.
In 2014, five PDP governors—Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa), and Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto) defected to the APC, a defection that laid the foundation for Muhammadu Buhari’s victory in 2015. By 2018, some of them returned to PDP when the tides changed.
Who can forget the spectacle of Femi Fani-Kayode, Nigeria’s master of U-turns, who once described the APC as a “Satanic party” and President Buhari as “a curse to Nigeria,” only to later join the APC with the fanfare of a prodigal son returning to his father’s mansion?
A Game of Survival, Not Service
Political parties are supposed to be vehicles for policy direction and ideological clarity. In developed democracies, parties represent core values. The Democrats and Republicans in the U.S., the Labour and Conservative parties in the UK, each has a distinct identity. In Nigeria, however, the only ideology is power and the only constant is greed.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo once said, “There is no political party in Nigeria; they are all platforms for capturing power.” That quote, though stinging, is spot-on.
The average Nigerian politician does not defect because of a disagreement with policy or a change in personal ideology. No, They defect to escape corruption trials, reclaim lost political relevance or align with the federal might ahead of an election.
From PDP to APC and Back Again: Who’s Fooling Who?
In Nigeria, it is common to hear phrases like “I have returned to my political family.” But what family changes every four years? The PDP ruled Nigeria from 1999 to 2015 and was dubbed the “largest party in Africa.” Then came the APC, a merger of desperate opposition forces, including disgruntled PDP members. As soon as the APC took power, the PDP was declared dead. Yet, like a zombie, it came back to life as more APC members became disillusioned.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Nigeria’s current president, himself is a classic product of this decampee culture. A one-time PDP supporter in the early 2000s, Tinubu eventually became the brain behind the APC. Today, his administration is filled with recycled PDP members, proving once again that the Nigerian political class is just one extended family quarrelling over control of the national pot/cake.
Power for Power’s Sake
Nigeria’s economy has been crippled by leaders who see public office as a meal ticket. Unemployment stands at over 33%, inflation at nearly 30% and over 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. Yet, politicians spend billions campaigning and cross-carpeting, while hospitals decay, universities strike and roads kill.
They defect from the party they helped destroy to join the one they once condemned, only to resume the cycle of looting and neglect. They promise “CHANGE,” then deliver “CHAINS”. They preach “RENEWED HOPE,” but all they offer is “RECYCLED FAILURE”.
The PEOPLE as COLLATERAL DAMAGE
The biggest losers in this culture of defection are the Nigerian people/masses. With no real ideological compass, the masses are dragged along in confusion. A politician elected under PDP defects to APC mid-term and expects his constituents to accept the change without question. Votes are rendered meaningless as parties are no longer platforms of choice, but mere logos to print on ballot papers.
Political campaigns have become carnivals of lies. One day, a politician is fighting corruption under the EFCC’s radar. The next day, he defects to the ruling party and all investigations mysteriously vanish.
We Must Judge Leaders, Not Labels
So many a citizen(s) with a conscience, have long abandoned party loyalty. Many allegiance is to performance, not platform. They evaluate every leader based on their stewardship. If you build roads, equip schools, secure lives and create jobs, you earn their respect, regardless of the party that sponsors your ambition.
According to Hon. Sam Iweka (BoT chairman PDP-SA) “This may sound anti-party, but it is the only logical position in a political landscape where parties mean nothing and politicians belong to all and none”.
As Nigerian author and Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka once said: “The man dies in all who keep silent in the face of tyranny.” We must stop enabling incompetence just because it wears the color of our preferred party.
Time for the Electorate to Defect Too
The tragedy is not just the defections by politicians, but the tribal, religious and party-blind loyalty of the electorate. Nigerians must begin to defect from the politics of ethnicity and emotion to the politics of accountability and metrics.
Enough of “HE IS OUR SON,” “IT’S OUR TURN,” or “NA OUR PARTY.” Ask: DID HE/SHE SERVE? DID HE/SHE DELIVER? DID HE/SHE LOOT or LEAD?
To quote Chinua Achebe, “The trouble with Nigeria is simply and squarely a failure of leadership.” But that failure thrives because we, the people, have accepted mediocrity as destiny. We must break this spell and become citizens, not spectators.
By and Large: Rebuilding the Broken System
The cure to this sickness is institutional reform. Nigeria needs independent political parties built on ideology, backed by enforceable party constitutions and run by patriots, not godfathers. The judiciary must stop legitimizing sham defections. INEC must stop rewarding political prostitution with automatic tickets.
Above all, the Nigerian voter must rise. The real power lies not with the defector-in-chief, but with the citizen. When we begin to judge politicians by results and not slogans or party colors, then and only then, will we reclaim this republic from the hands of serial defectors.
Let it be known today: Nigeria’s biggest political party is not APC, PDP or LP, it is the Decampee Party. And unless we reform our democracy, it will remain the only party that always wins, while the people continue to lose.
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