Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, on Monday informed that he used to attend the late afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti’s show with the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu in Lagos.

Relishing his experience as an adict of the afrobeat musician in Lagos, the governor said he believes in Fela’s activism, ideas and music with which he was able to awake political activism in Nigeria.

Declaring open the Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: A Retrospective, an exhibition celebrating the life, music and enduring influence of the late Afrobeat legend, at the Institute of Contemporary African Art and Film (ICAAF) in Ilorin, AbdulRazaq said his visits to Fela shrine dated back to the 1980s.

According to him: “in the late 80s, I used to go to shrine, with several notable people now, including the present NSA, Nuhu Ribadu, as well as our friends who were in the military then.

“We used to attend the shrine then because Fela is highly intelligent. It was during Zombie album by Fela.

“There was even a former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) from Katsina State, (I won’t mention his name) who used to attend shrine as well,” he recalled.

AbdulRazaq recalled that he used to patronise Fela’s shrine, not only to enjoy himself, but for his (Fela’s) belief in Africanism and the entire black race.

According to him, cultural development is as important as physical infrastructure, stressing that investment in arts and heritage is as essential as physical infrastructure.

He argued that cultural development preserves history, nurtures talent and create economic opportunities for young people.

He informed that the establishment of ICAAF was driven by the need to expand development beyond roads, bridges and buildings to include spaces that promote creativity, knowledge and opportunity.

According to him: “while physical infrastructure connects places, cultural infrastructure connects people to their history, broadens their imagination and encourages critical thinking.”

He said the institute was established to preserve African stories, nurture creative talent and showcase the continent’s artists and thinkers to a wider audience.

Describing Fela as more than a musician, the governor said the late artiste used his music and artistic expression to challenge conventions and raise questions about power, freedom, identity and justice.

He noted that: “Fela’s legacy demonstrated the power of art to preserve collective memory, challenge established ideas, inspire courage and contribute to social change.”

The governor said the exhibition, organised by June Creative Art Advisory (JCAA’s), Mrs Seun Alli, offered visitors an opportunity to explore Fela’s life and influence through photography, archival materials, film, graphic works and other artistic expressions.

He, however, clarified that the state was not seeking to claim ownership of Fela’s story but to provide a platform through which younger generations could encounter and learn from his legacy.

He expressed hope that the exhibition would mark the beginning of sustained cultural engagement at ICAAF and encourage young people to create, question, discover and contribute meaningfully to society.

The commissioner for communications, Bolanle Olukoju, said the exhibition offers an opportunity to revisit the life and works of Fela and appreciate how his music, ideas and artistic expression continue to influence generations.

“For the Ministry of Communications, this occasion speaks to an important part of our mandate: promoting the stories, talents and creative expressions that shape our identity as a people,” she said.

According to her, the state is creating opportunities for young people through investments in sectors like: film, fashion and technology.

She listed the projects to include the Sugar Film Factory, the Garment Factory and the Ilorin Innovation Hub that reflect the administration’s commitment to developing talent and supporting enterprise.

She urged young Kwarans passionate about painting, photography, filmmaking, fashion and design to see ICAAF as a place where they can explore their interests, learn from others and showcase their talents.