Nigeria’s festival of unity to feature Ebenezer Obey, Yinka Davies

Eminent Nigerian musicians such as Chief Ebenezer Obey, Sir Shina Peters, Mike Okri and Yinka Davies will grace the 2021 National Festival of Unity at the National Theatre, Lagos. The host and General Manager of the National Theatre, Prof Sunday Ododo, said the festival, with the theme: “Enduring Optimism”, which would see its second edition […]

Eminent Nigerian musicians such as Chief Ebenezer Obey, Sir Shina Peters, Mike Okri and Yinka Davies will grace the 2021 National Festival of Unity at the National Theatre, Lagos.

The host and General Manager of the National Theatre, Prof Sunday Ododo, said the festival, with the theme: “Enduring Optimism”, which would see its second edition in December, was an annual concert to promote African culture through music, dance, drama, comedy and more.

Prof Ododo who named other musicians to be on stage to include Stella Monye, Kola Ogunkoya and Dayo Kujore, said the musicians would be on hand to mentor and give guidance on live band entertainment.

He added that the festival which was a collaboration of the National Theatre and Evergreen Music Company would be held from December 10 to 12.

Ododo maintained that not minding the challenges confronting the complex, the management had put up the courage to forge on and accomplish its mandate.

He said, “This year’s National Festival of Unity will be bigger, bolder and richer as we have more time to crystallise the vision, engage more people from the entertainment space and get positive feedback.

“We have kept the theatre alive so much that a lot of people wonder at the paradox of the National Theatre being busier now that the complex is locked for renovation.”

The CEO of Evergreen Music, Bimbo Esho, while speaking on the Live Band Contest, disclosed that there would be 50 live bands performing on stage with cash prizes and musical instruments to be given out as rewards.

Esho said, “The primary objective of the programme is to showcase the important aspect of our musical heritage for development into a viable cultural product. It is to ginger our local musicians who perform gigs at several entertainment rendezvous that dot the national landscape to up their ante.

“The initiative is to boost the composition of meaningful lyrics and lively songs, quality dance styles, stage appeal, as well as excellent performance to delight music patrons even beyond Nigeria.”

The Special Adviser on Arts and Culture to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Solomon Bonu, said the state saw the need to support the event given its mandate as an avenue to engage youths.