Kwara governor recalls attending Fela’s shrine with Ribadu, others

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has recalled attending the shrine of late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in Lagos in the 1980s alongside the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, and other enthusiasts.

Abdulrazaq shared the experience on Monday while declaring open an exhibition titled Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: A Retrospective at the Institute of Contemporary African Art and Film (ICAAF) in Ilorin. The exhibition was organised by the Kwara State Government in collaboration with the Fela Anikulapo-Kuti family to celebrate the musician’s life, work and enduring influence.

The governor said he was drawn to Fela not only by his music but also by his activism and beliefs about African identity and the black race. According to him, Fela’s ideas and music helped awaken political consciousness in Nigeria and beyond.

“We used to attend the shrine then because Fela is highly intelligent. It was during the Zombie album by Fela,” he said, recalling that a former inspector-general of police from Katsina State also attended the shrine, although he declined to mention the officer’s name.

Abdulrazaq said cultural development was as important as physical infrastructure, noting that investments in arts and heritage could preserve history, nurture talent and create economic opportunities for young people. He explained that ICAAF was established to expand development beyond roads, bridges and buildings by providing a space for creativity, learning and cultural expression.

Describing Fela as more than a musician, the governor said the late artiste used his music to challenge conventions and raise questions about power, freedom, identity and justice. He added that the exhibition featured photographs, archival materials, films, graphic works and other artistic expressions to help visitors understand Fela’s life and legacy.

Abdulrazaq said the state was not seeking to claim ownership of Fela’s story but to provide a platform for younger generations to learn from his contributions. He expressed hope that the exhibition would encourage sustained cultural engagement at ICAAF and inspire young people to create, question and contribute meaningfully to society.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said the exhibition offered an opportunity to revisit Fela’s works and appreciate their continuing influence. She said the state was creating opportunities for young people through investments in film, fashion and technology, including the Sugar Film Factory, the Garment Factory and the Ilorin Innovation Hub. Olukoju urged young people interested in painting, photography, filmmaking, fashion and design to use ICAAF to develop their skills, learn from others and showcase their talents.