KORA Holds Media Launch Award In Kenya

By TOPE OLUKOLE, just back from Kenya

P-Square and Asa The KORA media launch held at Carnivore, a celeb rity hangout in Nairobi, Kenya was not devoid of the usual glamour and panache associated with KORA. It attracted the high and mighty including the Deputy Prime Minister of Kenya, His Excellency, Musalia Mudaradi, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Commissioner for Tourism in Lagos State, Mr Ernest Coovi Adjovi, KORA President, Mr Mike Yomi Dada, Executive Director of ZMC, Ms Moji Rhodes, Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Administration and Strategies, Mike Strano, KORA representative in East Africa and other numerous dignitaries.

Anchored by top Kenyan musician and radio presenter, Angela Angwanji, the night opened with the Sarakasi dancers who thrilled the select audience with a flurry of traditional shuffles; they were followed by “Big Mama” Achieng’ Abura, and then Nema Ntalel, 2005 KORA Best Female Artiste in East Africa, both showing the stuff they are made of as they dazzled and shone like a thousand stars. Other artistes that performed amidst wining and dining in the choicest meal of crocodile barbecue included Big Pin, Natafuta and Astav.

After a 10-year-sojourn in South Africa, the occasion confirmed that KORA has finally found home in Nigeria. This, Adjovi said, came as a result of the advice tendered by Omar Konare, President of African Union Commission that the glamorous award be moved around the continent.

“Taking KORA around Africa has been long over due. KORA must move round the continent. That is why we are invited by Nigeria. We are happy to be in Nigeria which is the most populous black nation in the world. Even though there are problems, we hope to overcome them. When we were in South Africa , there were problems but we overcame them. In Nigeria , we are going to make sure that KORA comes huge, big and better. In Nigeria , we’ve got big sponsors and we are going to impress the world. We are going to tell our story in a nice, wonderful way,”Omar Konare said.

Afikuyomi said he was in Kenya to tell the world that Lagos State is partnering the KORA All Africa Music Awards. “For us in Lagos and Nigeria, we are particularly proud that we are doing the announcement of hosting KORA in Kenya. Kenya is a big player in Africa, a place where all of us share a sense of history and a sense of belonging. From us in Lagos as a partner, supporters and sponsors of KORA All Africa Music Awards, you are going to see something big, something great in terms of music and entertainment in Nigeria.”

Alluding to the positive role played by KORA in projecting African music and musicians, Afikuyomi used the opportunity to invite all and sundry in Kenya to be part of the show in Lagos.

He said: “Positive things need to come out of Africa and KORA is a very big event that has produced some of the celebrated musicians of all time. That is why today through the effort of KORA, mainstream music of the world has had no choice than to recognise and integrate African music. African music and musicians have become big. African people have been recognised for their talent, industry and ability, only because of KORA Awards. All of you here will be missing a lot if you are not in Lagos for the awards.”

Commending Adjovi for doing a tremendous job and achieving so much for the African artistes, the Kenya Deputy Prime Minister said he was looking forward to a successful KORA Awards in Nigeria.

“We wish you success and look forward to a very good event in Nigeria. KORA is going to be a very big event and a major turn-around for the African continent. It is also a very good reflection of the African entrepreneural ability. When we said KORA is going to be big in Nigeria we all know what Nigeria can do. Hopefully, some of us will have the opportunity to come and watch the event,” he said.

Mudavadi, however, assured that ten Kenyan artistes will be competing for glory at the awards in Lagos, having been nominated in various categories. “We are happy that through this process, ten of our artistes are going to be part of the great event in Lagos next year in April. We want to wish the artistes the best because they have really been competing with the best in Africa. I believe they have the capability to do quite a lot...”