By Eva Irewole
Many arts and culture icons rose in support of poetry performer, Akeem Lasisi, on December 10, 2023 when he held his first African Citations exhibition in Lagos.
The event, which held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, saw him showcase poems he dedicated to important personalities and institutions, coming in the forms of artworks, musicals, videos and live performances.
Among the dignitaries were veteran actress, Taiwo Ajai-Lycett; and founder of the Family Thespian Theatre, Mrs Ayo Jaiyesinmi.
PIX 1 CAPTION: From left: The ‘Eagle Online’ Publisher, Mr Dotun Oladipo; Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Lagos State, Mr Gbenga Omotoso; poet and organiser of the exhibition, Akeem Lasisi; Founder of OYASAF Foundation, Omoba Yemisi Shyllon, who was the chairman; Editor of ‘Sunday Tribune’, Mr Lasisi Olagunju; and the Managing Director/CEO, Punch Nigeria Limited, Mr Adeyeye Joseph at the event
The Chairman on the occasion was acclaimed art collector and founder of the Omoba Yemisi Shyllon Adedoyin Foundation, Prince Yemisi Shyllon.
While the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, graced the show, other top media personalities in attendance included former Lagos State Commissioner and CEO of Patrons Media, Mr. Steve Ayorinde; Mr. Adeyeye Joseph, Managing Director of Punch Nigeria Limited; Mr. Jahman Anikulapo, Mr. Toyin Akinosho, Dr. Yinka Oyegbile, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, Mr. Dotun Oladipo, Dr. Kabir Alabi-Garba, Mr. Bamidele Johnson, Mr. Olumide Iyanda and Mr. Tosin Ajirire.
Others were Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Bemigho Awala, Sewedo Nipowaku and his wife Bukola Adebayo; Akinpelu Dada, Pastor Sule Kehinde, Mr. Funso Arogundade and Dr Bisi Deji-Folutile.
The programme was anchored by multi-talented artist, Ropo Ewenla.
From the corporate world were Mr. Gbenga Odugbesan (Shell), Mr. Funso Aina (MTN), Mr. Rashed Bolarinwa (Polaris Bank), Perpetual Eziefule (Big Cola) and Mrs Omobolanle Victor-Laniyan, who sent a representative.
From the arts and entertainment world were the likes of Folu Agoi, Daga Tola, Mufu Onifade, Dahunsi Akinyemi, Foluke Falayi and Mike Dada.
While Ajai-Lycett noted that the works on display were impressive, Shyllon, who acquired the artwork of the poem dedicated to the Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and presented it to him, described the African Citations exhibition as innovative, saying Lasisi had initiated something unique in Nigeria’s arts history.
“Akeem Lasisi has given us a distinct genre for which we must all commend and support him. His is an excellent mind that is always producing novel ideas and helping our arts and culture towards newer directions. I thus congratulate him and assure him of my continued support.”
Omotoso said the poet had enriched Africa’s poetic legacy. He added that that Lasisi had also been exceptional even as a journalist, noting that the values that African Citations projected reflect those defining the philosophy, policy and programmes of the Sanwo-Olu administration.
Joseph 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.”