The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe and other notable traditional rulers and professionals are among the expected guests at the Nigerian Reggae Festival (NRF) holding in Awka, the Anambra state between December 28 and 30, 2019.
The state commissioner for Diaspora Affairs, Indigenous Artworks, Culture and Tourism, Barr. Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, who disclosed this in a press briefing on Thursday, said the Reggae music festival organised by the ministry in collaboration with Music Africa Awake Foundation, was aimed at promoting peace, unity and culture in diversity.
“Nigerian Reggae festival is an event fashioned to bring peace and unity to the people of Nigeria and eradicate xenophobic attacks in African countries. Reggae promotes peace, builds bridges of love and unity among Nigerians and Africans. This is a home coming music festival which is in line with governor Willie Obiano’s vision to promote peace at grassroots and bring home our indigenous Reggae music icons in Diaspora,” Mbanefo added.
Contributing, the Founder of African Music Awake Foundation, Prince Emeka Ojukwu, said reggae has influenced a lot of people, markets, media houses and events, as well as established itself as a brand and platform to enlighten the community.
“This will serve as a platform for cultural exchange between the Caribbean, Jamaica, Nigerians and Africans in Diaspora. Foreign reggae artists will be present. Nigeria Reggae artists and African Reggae artists will have the opportunity to collaborate with them. Some of the artists to perform at the event are Pacino, B’Clean, Crucial Bankie, Heph B, Jennifer Lou, Ledo, Black Mojah, DJ Silentkilla, Karamel Singer, Big Bob, Ras Udara Most High, Lioness Front, Ras Julian, Black Omolo, Anaetoh Peter, Ital Sounds, Pupayanns,” he said.
Other speakers, Chief Vincent Omoko, the President of African Music Awake foundation, said reggae music was the best platform to reunite Africans, enlighten youths against ethno religious crisis, attacks, robbery, and other vices, while the traditional ruler of Aroh, Idemili North local government area, assured that monarchs were ready to use the platform to reach people at the grassroots..
