Lagos takes Felabration to London

This year, Nigerians in the Diaspora, especially those in London, will have the opportunity to take part in the annual Felabration – a musical concert that celebrates the life and times of the originator of Afrobeat musical genre, Fela Anikulapo – Kuti.

Felabration, which is celebrated in Lagos, Nigeria every October, will be featuring in the popular Nothing Hill Carnival in the United Kingdom courtesy of Lagos State government.

This much was disclosed by the Chairman of Felabration Organising Committee, Mr. Theo Lawson, at a press conference held on Wednesday, August 2 2017 to mark the 20th anniversary of Fela’s transition to the world beyond and also unveil some of the programmes/activities lined up for this year’s edition.

Trace TV is also coming in for the first time as a partner to raise the profile of Felabration on its channels in 160 countries within and outside Africa; it will also produce a new documentary on Felabration.

“Fela is the single most important foundation for Nigeria and Africa music and social movement. His life, music and message have paved the way for creativity over the last five decades and it is our honour to partner to celebrate and remember the legacy and The Prophecy,” Sam Onyemelukwe, the managing director of Trace TV Nigeria said.

With “The Prophecy” and “Pansa Pansa” as its theme and official theme song, Mr. Lawson said that for this year, “we expect to entertain and engage over 250,000 people with over 30 events.

Aside taking Felabration to Nothing Hill Carnival, other programmes lined up to make this year’s edition unique are tourist package that will help Fela’s fans across the globe travel to Lagos for Felabration just as plans are also on to celebrate Felabration in Abuja and Lagos Island.

“We have licenced Felabration events and they are been planned in Europe, the U.S, Asia and other parts of Africa,” Lawson said.

While Felabeation regulars like schools debate with the topic “African History: Curriculum Necessity or Not” are still on the card, new programmes like Felabration Artwork Competition which will draw artists from as far as Japan and France, Felabration Afrobics Dance Competition, Dress Like Fela Day have been added.

For this year’s the symposium aspect of the event which has in the past featured Senator Ben Bruce, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, acting President Yemi Osibanjo among others, Prof, Patrick Lumumba from Kenya will be speaking on the topic, “40 years after FESTAC: 20 years after Fela wither the Pan African dream.