FREEDOM Park, Lagos Island, the favourite performing area of the late singer, dancer, actor, storyteller, painter and trainer Jimi Solanke, has introduced a night of tributes in his honour.
The occasion, 'Jimi Solanke @FP', shall be held on Monday, April 1 from 6pm and can embrace music, dance, drama, poetry, an exhibition and a tribute session.
An announcement from the park's chief visioner, architect Theo Lawson, defined that the funeral committee has blessed the occasion, which can characteristic a number of artists.
“Freedom Park has been privileged to host him as an artist, pal and mentor for the previous twelve years, and it has been a house away from house for Baba Agba. For that reason, Jimi Solanke's funeral committee has designated Freedom Park to host a night of celebrations and tributes in his honor,” mentioned Lawson.
Actions will start at 7pm with lights out, adopted by an elegy from the Crown Troupe of Africa, who labored with the late artist on a few of his music video initiatives.
Soulful singer Yinka Davies and a choir are subsequent on the programme, adopted by a welcome speech. There can even be temporary remarks on the work of the late artist 'Ibudo Asa, Ipara Remo, Ogun State, which was inaugurated final yr.
Different highlights of the occasion embrace a medley of Solanke's songs from the Freedom All Stars and an afterparty.
“We’re happy to ask members of the general public, particularly his followers and associates, to a night of enchanting music, performances and tributes devoted to Baba Agba at his favourite venue,” Lawson added.
The late Uncle Jimi, popularly often known as Baba Agba, handed away on February 5, forsaking an overflowing stage and visible oeuvre.
He was born in Lagos on July 4, 1942 and attended Olowogbowo Methodist Faculty. He then attended Odogbolu Grammar Faculty for his secondary schooling. He found his love for artwork at a younger age, a lot to the dismay of his father, who wished him to turn into an engineer. Solanke, who later moved to Ibadan as an adolescent, jammed with the late Orlando Julius, IK Dairo, Eddie Okonta and Chris Ajilo on the then heart of Nigeria's creative universe.
He attended the Faculty of Drama on the College of Ibadan which later turned the Division of Theater Arts. Baba Agba, who had earlier met Professor Soyinka, whom he affectionately known as “Oga” till his demise, was one of many first graduates of the varsity.
Solanke later joined the Division of Dramatic Arts of the College of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo College, OAU) in 1969.
In addition to Professor Soyinka, his different mentors had been Ola Rotimi, Akin Euba, Peggy Harper, Dapo Adelugba and Demas Nwoko.
He was an achieved artist who left indelible footprints within the fields of performing, singing and storytelling. He has acted in a number of historic stage productions together with Wale Ogunyemi's Langbodo, Demise and the King's Horseman, Kurunmi and OvoramwenNogbaisi. He has additionally been on widespread TV reveals together with The Bar Seashore Present, For Higher or Worse and Village Headmaster.
His 'Storyland' at NTA, the place he informed folktales to youngsters and taught them priceless classes, was a delight. It later appeared on AIT as 'Kids's Half Hour'.
Late uncle Jimi Solanke composed widespread folks songs together with 'Barenijoye', 'Ojoje', 'Baba Agba', 'Onile Gogoro', 'Eje ka jo' and 'Jenrokan'.
