ASIRI Magazine

Fela strikes a pose with his famous “Black Power “ salute for the Press before going into court, ignoring the Policemen around him. Circa: 1980s "No music artiste in Nigerian history has had more enduring confrontations with the Nigerian government, police, and security agencies than Fela Anikulapo-Kuti." – ASIRI Magazine “While Fela was in prison, Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, did not relent in his struggle to prove that the trail was a hoax and that his brother should be set free. In his pursuit to this demand, he wrote the former Chief of Army Staff who had then become president, Major General Ibrahim Babangida on September 21,1984 complaining that Major General Tunde Idiagbon (now late) , then Chief of Staff, Supreme headquarters once threated to make Fela “rot in jail” .it was this same threat that informed Beko’s petition to express his displeasures to General Idiagbon himself on December 24, 1984, the day Fela’s five years sentence was confirmed by the defunct Supreme military council (SMC). In the letter Beko described the trail as a sham and accused him of witch-hunting. A day after, Beko, Professor Olikoye Ransome-Kuti- Fela’s elder brother who had been appointed the Minister of Health and Femi Falana- one of Fela’s lawyers addressed a press conference to condemn the sentence. Besides, Beko swore to an affidavit at the federal High Court, Lagos on December 31, 1985 in support of an application to secure a bail for Fela while his case was being reviewed by the Justice Akinola Aguda tribunal “ Culled from “Dis Fela Sef!”- A Memoir by Benson Idonije- The Legend(s) Untold. (Page 164) Image Credit: Akg-images / UIG / Idowu Ogunleye/Majority World #ASIRIMagazine #felabration2024 #FelaAnikulapoKuti #nigeriahistorymatters #BeastoOfNoNation #DigitalArchiving #digitalhistory #educationmatters #history

"Beast of No Nation" stands as an extraordinary musical composition, showcasing Fela's genius both in its intricate arrangement and powerful message. It's a masterpiece in every sense, brilliantly weaving together rhythm, activism, and artistry to create one of his most iconic works. #ASIRIMagazine #History #FelaKuti

Fela hugging his elder brother Professor Olikoye Ransome Kuti Circa: 1980’s ‘Beast of No Nation’….as Musi-Cultural landmark “I went to meet Fela at his brother’s (Dr Beko) house in Anthony Village Lagos where he was temporarily residing, after his release from prison in 1986. Upon my second visit, he played the rough version of the arrangement of ‘Beast of no nation’ and asked for my comments. Apparently, the song was written while he was in prison. The arrangement was complex and complicated – a far cry from his previous works. He was yet to put lyrics to it. And when he finally did, it came out as a perfect human rights document in terms of message. But musically, it was a milestone in his bid to continually reach out to higher levels of creativity and performance; a watershed in his musical career and development; a new cultural level in the Africanization of his music”” Culled from “Dis Fela Sef!” A Memoir by Benson Idonije (Page 142) Editor’s Note: "Beast of No Nation" stands as an extraordinary musical composition, showcasing Fela's genius both in its intricate arrangement and powerful message. It's a masterpiece in every sense, brilliantly weaving together rhythm, activism, and artistry to create one of his most iconic works. What's your favorite Fela song and why? Image Credit: Akg-images / UIG / Idowu Ogunleye/Majority World #ASIRIMagazine #felabration2024 #FelaAnikulapoKuti #nigeriahistorymatters #BeastoOfNoNation #DigitalArchiving #digitalhistory #educationmatters #history

Nigeria heavyweight boxer Alex Barrow wearing a 'Lonsdale London' t-shirt and trunks, training with a jump rope at his gymnasium in Leicester, Leicestershire, England. Date: 22nd February 1963. (Photo Credit: by Daily Express/Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images) Birth name “Gbadegesin Salua” He was a professional boxer who was active between 1959 and 1963 and took part in 25 professional contests. In 1963 he was advised by a British Boxing Board of Control Doctor to give up professional boxing due to a rare blood disease he was suffering from, this led to his premature retirement from professional boxing. He would die a few years later from the disease. Text (c) ASIRI Magazine 2024 #ASIRIMagazine #Sports #nigeriahistorymatters #Boxer #digitalhistory #DigitalArchiving #educationmatters #worldchampionship

Forging Time and Tradition: The Hidden Messages in Bronze | Open Art Series with Àdéjọ́ke Àdéronke Túgbíyélé In this exclusive interview, Àdéjọ́ke Àdéronke Túgbíyélé shares how she masterfully blends ancient lost-wax bronze techniques with modern artistry. Her creations, from sculptures to intricate bronze jewelry, serve as powerful vessels of storytelling, shaped by Yoruba principles like Àṣe (creation) and sùúrú (patience). Each piece reflects her deep connection to Nigerian heritage while sparking a bold new renaissance in contemporary art. Read post here: https://lnkd.in/egQehvAY #ASIRIMagazine #nigeriahistorymatters #Bronzeworks #Art

Nigeria National Assembly Complex at Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.Circa: 1961 The building is located on the same premises with the TBS, were used by the National Assembly in the defunct Second Republic between 1979 and 1983. In August 2008, the then Speaker of the House of Representatives Mr. Dimeji Bankole initiated moves to repossess the old National Assembly Complex at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos which served as the national parliament building before the relocation of the federal capital to Abuja. The building has been the subject of controversy in recent times following its privatization and commercialization. More than just a building, the complex is a National Monument that echoes Nigeria’s history and politics from its independence till date. Image Credit: Harrison Forman Collection/ American Geographical Society Library, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries Text: © ASIRI Magazine 2024. #ASIRIMagazine #nigeriahistorymatters #digitalarchives #digitalhistory #NationalAssembly #architecturephotography #Landmark #Building #EducationMatters

"Obelisk of Bishop Samuel Adjai Crowther, and other tombstones, in the Ajele Street Cemetery, Lagos Island. Circa: 1946 "The cemetery in which these monuments stood (called simply "Old Cemetery" on maps, bordered by Ajele Street, Campos Street, Joseph Street, and Igbosere Road), was obliterated in 1971. Bishop Crowther's body was moved to Christ Church Cathedral." The cemetery was a major cemetery on Lagos Island. It was demolish by the Lagos state military government under the administration of Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson in December, 1971. Image Credit: E. H. Duckworth Photograph Collection, Northwestern University Libraries' Digital Collections. #ASIRIMagazine #digitalarchives #digitalhistory #Ajelecemetry #educationmatters📚 #HistoryOfLagos #culturalheritage

Oba Of Benin Royal Visit to Britain. Circa: 1950 Ọmọ n'Ọba n'Ẹdo Uku Akpọlọkpọlọ, Akenzua II (7 January 1899 – 11 June 1978) the thirty-seventh Oba of Benin and his wife, Queen Ohan Akenzua, wearing orange, blue, red and green robes during a visit to Buckingham Palace in Westminster, London, England. The Oba of Benin is on a six-week tour of Britain, as a guest of the British Council. Oba Akenzua II had eight wives, including the youngest, Queen Ohan—a title that refers to the oba‘s spirit or wind Date: 12th August 1950. (Photo Credit by Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) #ASIRIMagazine #BeninKingdom #digitalhistory #digitalarchives #nigeriahistorymatters #EducationMatters #ObaofBenin #Heritage #edototheworld

Swedish Bus Failures Cripple Lagos: Public Outrage Over Transport Collapse!. (1971) The Lagos City Transport Service and the Lagos State Government is facing mounting public criticism because the buses in Lagos keep breaking down. The trouble stems in particular from the second-hand Swedish Scania buses operated in Lagos. Seventy-two of the 100 Scania buses brought last October have broken down and are now off the road. As a result, public transport has declined disastrously, and private operators are doing profitable business. The buses cost GBP289,000 (694,800 U.S. dollars) and now the City Transport Service proposes to spend another GBP30,000 (72,000 U.S. Dollars) on buying spares to put things right. The inflating cost of the whole affair was the subject of an enquiry which began in camera last November. Its finding are now to be made public, and the developing row about the issue may now explode. But although the notorious Swedish buses of Lagos are unpopular, their is no doubt that public transport buses will in the long run play a major part in the smooth running of the Nigerian capital. Meanwhile, people scramble for such transport as is available. Video Credit: Reuters via British Pathe #ASIRIMagazine #Historyoflagos #Transportation #digitalhistory #digitalarchives #educationmatters📚 #Buses #lagos

Mr. Soji Williams, Nigerian High Commissioner to Tanzania returned to Lagos on Tuesday, 16th of April 1968 by Air having been recalled from Dar-es-salaam following Tanzania’s recognition of secessionist Biafra. Mr. Soji Williams was the younger brother of Mr. Akintola Williams and Chief Rotimi Williams. During the Second World War, he served in the Royal Air Force as a navigator and bomb aimer on Avro Lancaster bombers. On graduation from Manchester University, he returned to Nigeria and joined the Foreign Service where he served with distinction, later being appointed as ambassador to various countries in Africa, Europe and Asia. Video Credit: Reuter's/ British Pathe #ASIRIMagazine #Nigeriahistorymatters #digitalarchives #digitalhistory #LagosHistory #EducationMatters #WilliamsLegacy