I used to attend Fela Shrine with Ribadu — Kwara gov

Kwara Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has recalled attending performances at the shrine of late Afrobeat legend Fela Anikulapo-Kuti in Lagos in the 1980s alongside the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

AbdulRazaq spoke on Monday in Ilorin at the opening of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: A Retrospective, an exhibition organised by the Kwara State Government in collaboration with the Fela Anikulapo-Kuti family to celebrate the musician’s life, music and enduring influence.

The exhibition, held at the Institute of Contemporary African Art and Film (ICAAF), aims to preserve African cultural heritage and inspire younger generations.

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Recalling his experience at the shrine, the governor said he attended Fela’s shows with Ribadu and other friends, some of whom were serving in the military at the time.

“In the late 80s, I used to go to the shrine with several notable people now, including the present NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, as well as our friends who were in the military then.

“We used to attend the shrine then because Fela is highly intelligent. It was during Zombie album by Fela,” he said.

The governor added that a former Inspector-General of Police from Katsina State also attended the shrine but declined to mention his name.

AbdulRazaq said his interest in Fela went beyond entertainment, noting that he admired the musician’s beliefs about African identity and the black race, as well as his activism and music.

He described Fela as more than a musician, saying his artistic expression challenged conventions and raised questions about power, freedom, identity, and justice.

“Fela’s legacy demonstrated the power of art to preserve collective memory, challenge established ideas, inspire courage and contribute to social change,” the governor said.

He stressed that cultural development was as important as physical infrastructure, arguing that investment in arts and heritage could preserve history, nurture talent and create economic opportunities for young people.

According to him, the establishment of ICAAF was driven by the need to expand development beyond roads, bridges and buildings to include spaces that promote creativity, knowledge and opportunity.

“While physical infrastructure connects places, cultural infrastructure connects people to their history, broadens their imagination and encourages critical thinking,” he said.

The governor said the institute was established to preserve African stories, nurture creative talent and showcase the continent’s artists and thinkers to a wider audience.

He said the exhibition, organised by June Creative Art Advisory (JCAA), led by Mrs Seun Alli, featured photography, archival materials, film, graphic works and other artistic expressions exploring Fela’s life and influence.

AbdulRazaq clarified that the state was not seeking to claim ownership of Fela’s story but to provide a platform for younger generations to learn from his legacy.

He expressed hope that the exhibition would mark the beginning of sustained cultural engagement at ICAAF and encourage young people to create, question, discover and contribute meaningfully to society.

Also speaking, the Commissioner for Communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said the exhibition provided an opportunity to revisit Fela’s life and appreciate how his music, ideas and artistic expression continued to influence generations.

“For the Ministry of Communications, this occasion speaks to an important part of our mandate: promoting the stories, talents and creative expressions that shape our identity as a people,” she said.

Olukoju said the state was creating opportunities for young people through investments in film, fashion and technology.

She cited the Sugar Film Factory, the Garment Factory and the Ilorin Innovation Hub as examples of projects reflecting the administration’s commitment to developing talent and supporting enterprise.

The commissioner urged young people in Kwara interested in painting, photography, filmmaking, fashion and design to use ICAAF as a platform to explore their interests, learn from others and showcase their talents.