Ogun State is set to celebrate one of its own, the legendary multi-purpose artiste, Pa Jimi Solanke, as marks his 80th birthday later in the month.
This is a honour that has been variously described as well-deserved and also in recognition of the living, rather than the dead.
It is this wise that the Ogun State government, under Prince Dapo Abiodun, deserved a good and warm pat on the back.
The state government deemed it fit to recognise a creative genius who is well respected, both home and abroad, for his inummerable inputs into the entertainment industry.
The fun-packed event will be taking place at the recently upgraded world-class June 12 Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, on Saturday, 22 October.
Solanke, armed with an expressive face, baritone voice and contagious smile, is unarguably one of Africa’s most accomplished performing artistes.
The octogenarian is a man of different parts- a musician, poet, thespian, educationist and producer, among several others.
The memories of him during his days as anchor of the children series on NTA storyland lingers on.
Pa Solanke usually held his audience spellbound with his educative and entertaining stories which he brilliantly and convincingly told moving between characters and settings.
For every song Jimmy Show, as fondly called, churns out, a story is usually behind it.
Uncle Jimi Solanke is a folklorist per excellence who holds his audience spellbound with his deep baritone voice.
He has to his credit several hit songs that are deeply embedded and well rooted in very rich African stories.
Solanke has produced several albums containing evergreen tracks, including Ojoje, Eni Bi Eni, Baba Agba, Owuro Lo’jo, Storyland, Gbogbo L’omo and Eje Kajo.
Others included Owo Orisa, Ase, Ba Re Ni Joye, Akiti, Don’t Play With Fire, Hidden Gold, Edumare Chineke Allah, Thug Of War, Children Sing Nigeria, Bere Mo’le, First Thing First, Prowess Of A Teacher and Ororo Ile.
Pa Solanke’s popular song, OMIYALE, about Ogunpa flood that took place in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, and composed over 40 years ago remains of great historical relevance till today.
