Festival 50's Concert: MTN Resonates the Golden Tunes

15th December, 2010 - 2:54 PM

It was a celebration of good old Nigerian music at the Lagos City Hall on Sunday, October 10, 2010, as the MTN-sponsored Golden Tunes concert held an audience made up of both the young and the old, captive for many nostalgic hours. The event also featured awards and recognition for distinguished artistes who have made tremendous impact on the Nigerian music scene in the past half century.

A major highlight of the high-octane night was the performance of ageless Fatai Rolling Dollar along with his former understudy, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey. Both living legends rendered the popular "Won kere si number wa" hit song of the octogenarian, a performance that attracted a standing ovation from the huge audience.

The well attended event, which was chaired by Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, also witnessed live performances by Chris Ajilo, Prince David Bull, Orlando Julius, Dr Victor Olaiya, Tunde Osofisan and Dele Ojo.

The Evergreen Band, which had earlier set the stage for an all night of total fun and entertainment with highlife rhythms of the oldies, provided back up for all the artistes that performed on the night.

Festival 50 was organised by the Evergreen Musical Company as one of the activities commemorating Nigeria's golden jubilee anniversary. But for MTN, it was indeed a befitting way to celebrate with its high value customers who are on its achievers' brand, MTN Smartlink.

Bola Akingbade, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer, MTN Nigeria, who was represented by Biodun Odejayi, Senior Manager, Regional Marketing Operations, reiterated the company's commitment to build on the legacy of Nigeria's legends, living or dead.

"Music of yesteryears is a veritable channel to capture the unique history and values of our people over the years, and it is our delight to be part of this initiative that celebrates Nigeria's great musicians. As a company, we believe in the Nigerian entity and we are proud to be part of its success stories," he said.

According to Femi Esho, Chairman, Evergreen Musical Company Limited, apart from celebrating Nigeria's Golden Jubilee, Festival 50 was organised to recognise the contribution of vintage artistes in the last half-a-century.

Post humous awards were given to Fela Anikulapo Kuti, represented by his daughter, Yeni, for the Music Innovation Award; Steve Rhodes got the Founding Fathers Award; Stan Plange from Ghana, Most Outstanding Highlife Music Arranger; Orlando Julius, Outstanding Saxophonist; Dr Victor Olaiya, Golden Voice at Independence; Haruna Ishola, Outstanding Apala Performer; Tunde Nightingale, the Owambe Creator Award. Comfort Omoge, Outstanding Indigenous Music Performer; Ebenezer Obey, Outstanding Juju Composer; Sir Victor Uwaifo, Outstanding Consistent Artiste; King Sunny Ade, Outstanding Juju Music Performer; Fatai Rolling Dollar, Outstanding Active Legend Award and Orlando Owoh, the Kennery Master Award.

Other awardees were I.K. Dairo, E.T Mensah, Ambrose Campbell, Hubert Ogunde, Chris Ajilo, J. O. Araba, Roy Chicago, Ayinde Bakare, Rex Jim Lawson, Dan Maraya Jos, Oladunni Decency, Jerry Hansen, Batili Alake, Crosdale Juba, Eddie Okonta, Jimi Solanke, Celestine Ukwu, Tunji Oyelana, Mamman Shata, S.F. Olowookere, Inyang Henshaw, David Bull, Adeolu Akinsanya, Dele Ojo, Yusuf Olatunji, C.K Mann, Zeal Onyia, Stephen Osadebey, King Kennytone and Maliki Showman.