Sunday, 5 October, 2025 was a day of fun; a nostalgic gathering of the who-is-who among music legends and enthusiasts in Nigeria. The event was the Ariya Eko Independence Music Festival, held at the MUSON Centres, Onikan, Lagos.
The event lived up to its billing. The National Independence Day edition of the Ariya Eko Festival, themed, “Musical Journey of a Nation @ 65,” honoured veteran music artistes, cutting across all genres and who have shaped Nigeria’s indigenous soundscape and preserved its musical heritage across generations.
The music festival, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, in collaboration with Evergreen Musical Company Limited, Lagos, has become a defining cultural landmark in Lagos. It celebrates the city’s rich musical heritage, while reconnecting younger generations with Nigeria’s musical legends.
Cultural historian, Kunle Odufuwa, kept the audience spellbound at the 2025 edition of the music festival as he went deep into history to bring back to life the role of indigenous musicians in nation-building, noting that Nigerian music played a unifying role during the most trying period of Nigeria as a young, independent country namely, before, during, and after the Civil War of 1967 to 1970.
The Ariya Eko Independence Music Festival, held as part of events marking Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary and the “101 Days in Lagos” cultural season, was a day of honour for 19 veteran musicians and music recording company, Premier Music.
One unique and significant thing about the music legends was that they were all physically present to receive their awards, with the exception of the popular Fuji music maestro, Alhaji Kolawole Rasak Ayinla (aka Kollington Ayinla) who was unavoidably absent from the event.
Through performances, awards, and tributes, the 2025 Ariya Eko Independence Music Festival reaffirmed the enduring power of Nigerian music, both as a cultural treasure and a strong force for unity. Aside from live performances, and award ceremony, the festival also featured symposium, and a session for young acts to perform classic songs from legendary musicians.
The 2025 Ariya Eko Independence Music Festival featured live performances from various musical groups, including the MFM Highlife Band, Mentholkay and New Melody Makers Band, MFM Guitar Choir, Medola, and OJ Band, all offering an admixture classic, evergreen songs, which readily blended with physically-exerting energy of the GenZ.
Among the music legends honoured were Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey (MFR), who received the Ariya Eko Timeless Contributions Award; 85-year-old Bolojo music creator, Chief Tunde Elegbede, aka King Jossy Friday, (Cultural Innovator Award); Ken Caleb Olumese, known as the “King of Lagos Nightlife,” was honoured with the Nightlife Legend Award;
Evangelist (Dr.) Funmi Aragbaiye was the recipient of the Gospel Pioneers Award; veteran and award-winning cinematographer and filmmaker, Tunde Kelani (TK), meritoriously bagged the Distinguished Filmmaker Award and Waka Music Queen Salawa Abeni (Waka Transformer Award).
Other awardees included Lemi Ghariokwu Lemi, the celebrated for his iconic album sleeve designer (Album Graphics Gifted Hands Award); Magbemagbe crooner, Uncle Toye Ajagun (Musical Peacemaker Award); Kollington Ayinla (Fuji Revolutionary Doyen Award); iconic movie producer, Dr. Ola Balogun (Pioneering Filmmaker Award); Stella Monye of the Oko Mi Ye fame (Cultural Values Award); Mama D. A. Fasoyin (Gospel Anthems Award); Dr. Tee Mac Omatshola Iseli, MFR (Distinguished Flutist Award);
Ace music producer, Laolu Akins (Multi-Talented Producer Award; Evangelist J. A. Adelakun, Ayewa (Evergreen Gospel Anthems Award); Admiral Dele Abiodun, Adawa Super King (Juju Leaders Award); Pa Sulaimon Ayilara Aremu Ajobiewe (Esa Oriki Resilience Award), and giant music producing company, Premier Music (Musician’s Backbone Award).
The high point of the day was when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State showed up to present awards to Chief Ebenezer Obey and Evangelist (Mrs) Aragbaye. Their separate performances brought the audience to their feet as the duo rendered timeless hits, with the crowd singing along with them and dancing to the timeless tunes vibrating across the four walls of MUSON Centre.
The General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire Ministry (MFM), Dr DK Olukoya, had earlier announced a cash gift of ₦500,000 to each of the 20 awardees (totalling ₦10 million), marking a significant point in the musical festival.
Dr Oladele Ayorinde, who represented Pastor Olukoya at the event, said: “This gesture is a token of his deep respect and gratitude for your work in keeping Nigeria’s music and cultural heritage alive, vibrant, and globally respected.
“On behalf of Dr DK Olukoya, I say congratulations to all our honorees, and may your music and legacy continue to inspire hope, pride and unity in our beloved nation. Thank you and happy Independence Anniversary.”
Reflecting on the success of the Ariya Eko Independence Music Festival, an elated Managing Director of Evergreen Musical Company Limited, Bimbo Esho, told Newscoven.com; “As the title connotes, this is a special edition organised to recognised and honour our music legends, cutting across all genres, on the occasion of our national independence as a sovereign country. I am happy and I feel highly fulfilled that the event went well without any glitches or hitches.
“Ariya Eko is a tribute to the music icons of yesteryears and it is a platform that strengthens cultural ties, fosters cross-generational dialogue, and opens new pathways for international cultural diplomacy.”
