Bimbo Esho, Managing Director of Evergreen Musical Company Limited, Lagos, has said her mission is to fulfil her late dad’s heart desire, declaring that the Ariya Eko Independence Music Festival was an epoch-making event.
She stated this in a press release to express her appreciation for the success of the music festival which was held at the MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Bimbo has, over the years, been sustaining the contributions of her late father who was renowned to be the biggest single collector of African indigenous evergreen songs.
The MD of Evergreen Musical Company Limited further stated: “music to my dad, the late Chief Femi Esho, is what food and water are for human survival.
“Preservation and propagation of our musical heritage since the inception of Evergreen Musical Company Limited has been his primary aim and focus.
“Baba Musician, as he was fondly called by many, was a lover of humanity, deeply passionate about indigenous music and musicians being recognised and given their due credit in a country that cares less about the aged, especially those who have brought joy to every home through their musical compositions over the years.
“My dad was a fount of musical knowledge for many people, including musicians, journalists, students, lecturers, politicians, etc, where information on music was always accessible,” she added.
According to Bimbo Esho, the establishment of Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation by her late dad was for the primary purpose of curating the works of these musical icons for the sake of posterity.
Reacting to the just-concluded Ariya Eko Independence Music Festival, sponsored by the Lagos State Government, she stated that it showed the utmost respect Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has for her dad in helping to carry on the torch.
“It was not surprising to watch Mr Governor who himself has had his stint with music as a DJ during his youthful years give awards to some of these veterans whose music he knew like the back of his hand,” she stated.
Bimbo was also full of appreciation to Dr DK Olukoya, patron of Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation and General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire Ministry (MFM), for his moral and financial support for the music festival.
“Dr DK Olukoya also surprised all during Ariya Eko Independence Music Festival when he gave the 20 awardees ₦500,000 each to show his appreciation and support for these music icons who have given our country respect beyond borders, through their various crafts.
“The feedback from this year’s Ariya Eko Independence Music Festival has been very positive and inspiring. Today, it has been recognised as one of Nigeria’s epoch-making events,” Bimbo Esho added.
