Lead Photo: Presentation of award to Eedris Abdulkareem for his activist role as a musician
THE much-anticipated unveiling of the monthly advocacy concert for freedom of artistic expression, Freedom Vibes Series, held on Saturday, October 30 at the most appropriate venue for such a project, Freedom Park by Broad Street, Lagos Island.
As advertised by its promoters, Unchained Vibes Africa, UVA, the maiden Freedom Vibes Series, was a momentous event which seeks to change the dynamics of civil rights activism, with its live programming content that desires to bring issues of repression of artist’s rights to the front burner.
It is also one of those rare public events in which the artists and members of the civil society community meet on one stage and deliberate on state of freedom in the country, and around the continent of Africa.
All the billed big activist-artists were in attendance: hip-hop and rapper act, Eedris Abdulkareem of the ‘Nigeria Jagajaga’ fame; Ade Odukoya, the founder of Afropolitan Vibes, and continental ambassador of ‘Artwatch Africa’ of Arterial Network; Hilda Dokubo, the actress who was visible on the forefront of the #EndSARS Movement; Dr. Pure, the returnee hip-hop artist, who is a leading voice for artists freedom in Kano, and eminently known as a vocal mobiliser of youths for action in the Northern creative circuit.
The heart of the unveiling was the Seminar on Hate Speech and Freedom, which featured as speakers, Ade Bantu, Hilda Dokubo, Dr Pure, and Julie from PEN America who participated virtually.
In the session the speakers revisit ten various challenges confronting the vocation of the creative artist, impeding his/her capacity to freely express his thoughts, and contribute his talents and skills to helping to moblise the people for the positive transformation of the society.
The artists-activists also recounted their individual roles in the various struggles to free the space for freedom of expression and deepening the cause of participatory democracy by the people.
Remarkably, the individual speaker linked advocacy for Freedom of Artistic Expression to universal campaign for Fundamental Human rights as enunciated in the various United Nations’ conventions on same issue.
Anchored by the actor, Sam Uche Anyamele, the show also featured musical performances including the thrilling performance by Aralola Oluwamuyiwa, the delectable female talking drummer, often referred as ‘Queen of the Drums’.
In his appreciative statement on his Facebook page, the Executive Producer of the Programme, and CEO of UVA, Ayodele Ganiu wrote:
Unveiled in Lagos, Freedom Vibes was off the chain
SATURDAY 30th October 2021 was a creative convergence at the Freedom Park in Lagos. Through live performances, panel discussions and artistic showcases, Nigerian artists took a stand against censorship. It was loud and clear!
We want to thank everyone who contributed to making it a success. Our deepest appreciation to all stakeholders and celebrities who supported the mission.
Big shout-out to the legendary Eedris Abdulkareem Hilda Dokubo Ade Bantu Jahman Oladejo Anikulapo Dr Pure Aralola Olamuyiwa (the Queen of Drums), Jude Orhorha, Kelechi Udegbe, Maureen Okpoko and several veteran artists who came out to support the cause.
The official launch wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and creative intelligence of the program team and production crew who have been working relentlessly and sacrificing for several weeks. We celebrate our amazing team which has given everything to make the event a huge success. From the management skills of the Green Queen Adesola Alamutu Samuel Osaze and Gbemisola Jinadu Raji to the unwavering commitment of Ajayi Funmilayo , Timi Odugbesan and Ruth Akpan, Unchained Vibes dedicates the success to its teamwork.
From the creative genius of the event anchor Mazi Uche Sam Anyamele to the music and sound management by Ayoola Sadare Shaddie Bobo DJ Valentino Valentino Gbolahan and the technical support team, Unchained Vibes Africa enjoys the work of top-notch production crew. We appreciate production inputs from our colleagues, Ndlovukazi Palesa Sibiya and Lucy Ilado from South Africa and Kenya respectively.
All these would still have been impossible without the support of our partners. Special thanks to the National Endowment for Democracy (USA) which provided the resources for the program. We are also grateful to PEN America’s Artists at Risk Connection, Freedom Park, Culture Advocates Caucus, Centre for Creative Arts Education (CREATE), Lakreem Entertainment, Ara Entertainment Productions, Prince Eletu Fashion and AfricanDefenders.
Freedom Vibes Series is here to stay! From December, watch out for monthly parade of talents and articulate speakers asserting artistic freedom and standing up against censorship in Nigeria.
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Watch out for monthly show announcements on www.unchainedvibesafrica.com
Signed
Ayo Ganiu
Executive Producer
https://web.facebook.com/ayodele.ganiu
