Recently, the culture and creative community witnessed a celebration of heritage, music, and artistry as the celebrated folk artist, scholar and culture ambassador,Dr. Debbie Ohiri, hosted her landmark concert, titled, “20 Years Iconic: A Celebration of Folk music and Culture.”
The event honoured two decades of her artistic journey and her unwavering commitment to preserving and promoting African heritage through music, theatre and performance.
Held at Zehn Garros, Victoria Island, Lagos, the concert was a fusion of artistry, heritage, and innovation. It showcased her evolution as a performer and storyteller from her early beginnings in traditional folk expression to her present-day mastery that seamlessly blends indigenous authenticity with contemporary creativity.
In her opening remarks, she expressed heartfelt gratitude to her supporters, collaborators, and audience, saying: “This celebration is not just about me, but about a journey one rooted in faith, resilience, and culture. For 20 years, I have carried the torch of African art, and tonight, I am humbled to share this legacy with all who believe in the power of our heritage.”
The concert featured breathtaking performances from notable artistes such as Kent Edunjobi, Àrèmọ Gemini, Oluchi Odii, Funmi Arewa, Temitope Fash, Yinka Erinle, and Shallom Matthew , with Tomiwa ‘Sage’ Kukoyi as the host.
Together, they delivered a mesmerising blend of folk chants, live instrumentation, and traditional dance, supported by DBO Productions, Ohiri’s performance company.
A deeply emotional highlight came when she paid tributes to her late father BoB Ohiri, who introduced tenor guitar to Juju music by bringing out his guitar untouched since his passing in 2009 beautifully played by the talented guitarist, Jegzy, as she performed one of his original compositions in the Esan language. She also honoured her Ghanaian mother by performing one of her favourite songs in Twi, creating an unforgettable moment that bridged personal memory and cultural pride.
Over the past two decades, Ohiri has built a remarkable career in performance, research, teaching, and advocacy for African performing arts. Through her dedication to the preservation of Yoruba oral traditions, folk music, and indigenous aesthetics, she has ensured that these timeless art forms remain vibrant in the contemporary creative space.
As the evening concluded, the audience rose to a standing ovation, affirming her place as one of Nigeria’s foremost cultural icons a true testament to passion, purpose, and legacy.
