Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, has described poet and journalist, Akeem Lasisi, as a master of his profession and passion. Omotoso saluted the performance poet recently when he spoke at the maiden edition of Lasisi’s poetry feast tagged African Citations.
According to the commissioner, Lasisi has excelled both in journalism and poetry performance. African Citations, a multimedia exhibition of poetic tributes, which Omotoso described as novel, is a testament to the height the poet has taken poetry.
He said, “Akeem is one of the most resourceful people around now. In the media world, he is a force to reckon with. He is a dependable hand as many people have attested to. In the field of literature too, he has proved that there are new possibilities and opportunities. The array of works here shows that he is a blessing to our country and continent.
“For us in Lagos State, this is the kind of initiatives we do not hesitate to support. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu likes talents and he always encourages and supports one whenever he sights it. It is on this basis that I assure Akeem that we are definitely behind him on this project.”
On display at the event held at the MUSON Centre, Lagos, anchored by multi-talented artist, Ropo Ewenla, were some 35 artworks bearing poems dedicated to human and institutional personalities. Each bears the beneficiaries’ cartooned image, while the exhibition also presented studio-recorded audio/musical of each poem. Lasisi and his long-time ally, Edaoto, and the poet’s Akeem Lasisi & the Songbirds troupe also entertained guests with performances of his old and new numbers.
They included those dedicated to legendary writers Chinua Achebe and Niyi Osundare; Sudanese-British business mogul, Mo Ibrahim; and his Nigerian counterparts such as Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Mike Adenuga and Folorunso Alakija.
Others celebrated include top educationists Aare Afe Babalola and Professor Ayobami Salami; media leaders Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, Mr Adeyeye Joseph, Mr Steve Ayorinde, Mr Dotun Oladipo and Ayeni Adekunle. From other corporate settings are Funso Aina and Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, while The PUNCH, The GUARDIAN, Access Bank, the First Technical University, Ibadan; MTN and Nigeria LNG also have poems dedicated to them.
From the public service, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency’s Chairman, Buba Marwa; and the Commissioner for Information in Lagos State, Gbenga Omotoso, also have poems dedicated to them. Beneficiaries from the entertainment sector include Angelique Kidjo, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett, Kunle Afolayan, Genevieve Nnaji and Mike Dada.
Also speaking at the event where Lasisi and his Songbirds troupe – alongside Edaoto – performed, Omotoso said the poet had enriched Africa’s poetic legacy. He noted that Lasisi had also been exceptional even as a journalist, adding that the values that African Citations projected reflect those defining the philosophy, policy and programmes of the Sanwo-Olu administration.
Joseph, who is the Managing Director of Punch Nigeria Limited, recalled how Lasisi had always projected his poetic talent even as a journalist with ‘The PUNCH’. He noted that the company’s management had always supported him and was with him on the African Citations project too.
In his welcome address, the poet, who is the producer of popular videos like EELELETURE and UDEME, said the exhibition aimed at expanding the utility value of poetry. He said it brought the verse close to the people, bringing all and sundry under the canopy of performance poetry.
Lasisi said, “On the one hand, African Citations celebrates the honourees’ contributions to the advancement of humanity. On the other, it further takes poetry out of the usual context so that more people can see and feel its beauty. We are presenting the tributes in a multimedia form: artworks, musical, video and live performance.”
