President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has celebrated the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo Kuti, following his posthumous receipt of the internationally recognised Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In a personally signed statement issued on Sunday, the President said the world had honoured a giant, describing the award as a fitting recognition of Fela’s enduring impact on global music and culture.
Tinubu noted that Fela was more than a musician, portraying him as a fearless voice of the people, a courageous philosopher and a revolutionary force who confronted injustice through sound and ideas.
“Fela was more than a musician. He was a fearless voice of the people, a philosopher of freedom, and a revolutionary force whose music confronted injustice and reshaped global sound,” the President said.
He added that Fela’s courage, creativity and conviction defined a generation and continue to inspire audiences across the world, describing him as eternal in cultural memory.
According to Tinubu, the Grammy honour affirms Fela’s foundational role in shaping Afrobeat and influencing generations of Nigerian musicians, Afrobeats and global music beyond Africa.
“Fela lives,” the President declared.
By Deji Elumoye, Abuja
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