Nigeria: Okosuns, Chaka Chaka Sing Against Electoral Violence

 

Sonny Okosuns and Chaka Chaka Sing Against Electoral Violence

This Day (Lagos)

Nigeria: Okosuns, Chaka Chaka Sing Against Electoral Violence

COLUMN
December 16, 2006
Posted to the web December 18, 2006

Nseobong Okon-Ekong
Lagos

The recent concert against electoral violence organised by the Institue for Democracy in South Africa, IDASA, Nigeria provided a platform for Evangelist Sonny Okosuns to shock critics and detractors who have been spreading negative rumours about his health.

The concert which took place at the Poolside of the Le Meridien Hotel, Abuja had former head of State Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar as chairman. South Africa's High Commissioner in Nigeria was also one of the dignitaries at the event. The event was used to launch the campaign theme; "Nigeria Dey Your Hand O-Deepening Africa's Pride".

Other dignitaries at the event were Professor B. M. Barkindo, President of ASSCRAG and chairperson of IDASA's national campaign, Hajiya Rakiya Momoh, chairperson of IDASA and Mr. Derrick Marco, Country Director of IDASA.

Mounting the well-constructed stage at about 7p.m., the musicians had the privilege of using excellent musical equipment that was technically well-balanced; even though the lighting was not too elaborate.

Okosuns' band set the ball rolling with a string of highlife songs in instrumental format. It took some persuassion for Okosuns himself to come on stage, as he complained about the scanty audience. As soon as he set his mind to it, the show commenced in earnest. Doing what he knows to do best, Okosuns sang, chatted, danced and employed a bit of comedy here and there.

Recalling all his hit songs, written between 20 and 22 years ago, Okosuns regretted that much of the social ills that he sang about in Nigeriaand Africa were still with us.

Some of these songs like "Which Way Nigeria?", "African Soldiers", "Now or Never" were delivered in the vintage 'Ozzidi' style for which Okosuns was known at the height of his career before he veered into gospel music.

As he sang these songs, his spirit was lifted and the small crowd joined in singing the songs. Okosuns finished his performance and left the stage in a blaze of glory.

The unmistakeable high-pitched voice of Yvonne Chaka Chaka, singing one of her hits, "From Me To You" brought home the presence of the South African born singer. After a spectacular performance by Okosuns, it was a huge challenge for Yvonne to retain the attention of the audience, but she entrenched herself in their consciousness by doing a string of popular Bob Marley tunes like "No Woman No Cry" and "Don't Worry".

Much of her peace/unity songs were delivered in Zulu language. In her red boubou, she swayed to the music, swinging her elegant hips all the time. The night was rounded off with with Yvonne inviting Okosuns for a joint jam on stage. Okosuns' band members were clad in an all black outfit; and compared to Yvonne's band, the Okosuns team were elegant.

She created more fun by taking Okosuns hat off his head and putting it on hers. She hugged and danced with him. For Yvonne, it was her vocal ability, her dance and beauty that held the audience in her favour; for Okosuns it was the relevance and fervour of his revolutionary songs that the audience appreciated.

To bring the curtain down, Okosuns' band teamed forces with Yvonne's band to deliver her hit, "Nquomboti"-African (Magic) Beer.

IDASA, Nigeria is set to employ populist arts like music to bring home pertinent messages on peace and non-violence, particularly in this period of campaigns for political offices in Nigeria. The Abuja concert was meant to be for party chieftains and leading politicians. Incidentally, many of them were involved in the on-going primaries of their parties and had travelled out of Abuja to their home constituencies.

The organisers, are, however set to take the concert and its theme of peace and non-violence during political process to five other cities in the new year.