Mama Bosah, Olamide, YBNL Crew In ‘Feed The Poor Concert’

Rave of the moment act, Olamide Baddo will be leading others to the Okobaba, a slum in Ebute-Meta, for this year’s ‘Operation Feed The Poor Concert’, an initiative of Roland Bosah Foundation (RBF), a non-governmental organisation.

Speaking exclusively to The Guardian, the founder of the organisation and promoter of the concert, Mr. Roland Bosah, said the gig is to give a sense of belonging to the physically challenge of the society in Lagos during this yuletide.

According to him, there is no better way to make a Christmas memory for people than feed and provide free medical care as well as entertainment for them. “Our society will be better if we care for the less privilege, especially the physically challenged among us,” he said.

He noted that the foundation started in 2014, under a form of divine inspiration after his encounter with a blind man. “It was not something I set out to do, but as you know, situation changes individual’s action and ideology. I’m someone that gives alms a lot, even before I started foundation NGO.”
“I was on way to the Island for a meeting and somewhere in Oyingbo, I saw some beggars soliciting for alms. I stop to give them what I have, but something prompted me to ask them where they stay or live. I did and they told me they have a place they retire to at the end of the day. They took me to the place and to my amazement, for the first time in my life, I saw beggars and destitute in their large number (over 500) sitting in one place,” he added.

Bosah explained that despite the uncondusiveness of the place for human habitation, to his amazement, the people are well organised as they have leaders (Seriki) for their various associations — blind, cripple, deaf and dumb, who he met with and asked how they survive under such hazardous condition and environment.

He said, “When I got home, I called some of my friend and narrated my encounter to them; we resolved within ourselves that there is nothing else to do for the people but give them a sense of belonging. We started by providing them food on a monthly basis, which we tagged Operation Feed the Poor. We didn’t just go to them and drop the food, we served and watch them eat with relish.”

Speaking on the concert, schedule to hold December 31, Bosah said the foundation resolved that rather than take the people to a show, which will be more cost effective, it is better to host at their doorstep, adding this gave birth to concert funfair concert, which comes up at the Okobaba playground, beside the Police Station, Ebute-Meta.
“After our discussions with them, we realised that they have artistes they love listening to. Among such acts are Olamide (Baddo). When approached him, he not gave his word of coming to perform live for them, he also promised to come along with his Yahoo Boy No Laptop (YBNL) crew, which include Lil Kesh. Again, he promised to support the event with an appreciable amount of money.”

According Bosah this one of Olamide’s life that many people don’t know, adding that he supports any charity cause aimed at uplifting the less privilege, particularly the less privilege.