FREEDOM Park, Lagos Island, the favourite performing space of the late singer, dancer, actor, storyteller, painter, and teacher Jimi Solanke, has announced a night of tributes in his honour.
The event, ‘Jimi Solanke @FP,’ will be held on Monday, April 1, from 6 p.m. and will feature music, dance, drama, poetry, an exhibition, and a tribute session.
A statement from the park’s Chief Visioner, Architect Theo Lawson, explained that the burial committee has blessed the event, which will feature various performers.
“Freedom Park has been privileged to host him as an artist, friend, and mentor over the last twelve years, and it was a home away from home for Baba Agba. For this reason, the Jimi Solanke burial committee has designated Freedom Park to host a night of celebration and tributes in his honour,” Lawson said.
The activities will commence fully at 7 pm with lights out, followed by a dirge by the Crown Troupe of Africa, which collaborated with the late artist on some of his music video projects.
Soulful singer Yinka Davies and a choir are next on the bill, followed by a welcome address. There will also be brief remarks on the late artist’s ‘Ibudo Asa, Ipara Remo, Ogun State, inaugurated last year.
Other event highlights include a medley of Solanke’s songs by the Freedom All Stars and an after-party.
“We are pleased to invite members of the public, especially his fans and associates, to spend an evening of enchanting music, performances, and tributes dedicated to Baba Agba at his favourite performing space,” Lawson added.
The late Uncle Jimi, popularly known as Baba Agba, passed away on February 5, leaving behind an overflowing performing and visual arts oeuvre.
He was born in Lagos on July 4, 1942, and attended Olowogbowo Methodist School. He then attended Odogbolu Grammar School for his secondary education. He discovered his love for the arts at a young age, to the dismay of his father, who wanted him to become an engineer. Solanke, who later moved to Ibadan as a teenager, jammed with the late Orlando Julius, IK Dairo, Eddie Okonta, and Chris Ajilo in the then-centre of Nigeria’s artistic universe.
He attended The School of Drama at the University of Ibadan, which later became the Department of Theatre Arts. Baba Agba, who had earlier met Professor Soyinka, whom he fondly called ‘Oga’ until his passing, was one of the School’s first graduates.
Solanke later joined the Department of Dramatic Arts at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU) in 1969.
Apart from Professor Soyinka, his other mentors included Ola Rotimi, Akin Euba, Peggy Harper, Dapo Adelugba, and Demas Nwoko.
He was an accomplished artist who left indelible footprints in acting, singing, and storytelling. He featured in several landmark stage productions, including Wale Ogunyemi’s Langbodo, Death and the King’s Horseman, Kurunmi, and OvoramwenNogbaisi. He was also in popular TV programmes, including The Bar Beach Show, For Better or Worse, and Village Headmaster.
His ‘Storyland’ on NTA, where he narrated folktales to children and taught them valuable lessons, was a delight. It later surfaced on AIT as ‘Children’s Half Hour’.
The late Uncle Jimi Solanke composed popular folk songs, including ‘Barenijoye’, ‘Ojoje’, ‘Baba Agba’, ‘Onile Gogoro,’ ‘Eje ka jo,’ and ‘Jenrokan.’
