18/04/2022
///: Amid the frenzied atmosphere of the of caretta, fanti, meuboi, afrobeat, various dishes of Afrobrazilian cuisine, et al; history was made and remade again as the Hilario Campos mini stadium (named after the Cuban returnee) became a miniature Sambadrome.
It's the 2022 edition of the Pópó Àgùdà Easter Concert Extravaganza as put together by the Brazilian Descendants Arts & Culture Association Lagos; Lagos State Ministry of Culture, Arts & Tourism; and the Consulate General of Brazil in Lagos.
A military like rendition of the Nigerian National Anthem naturally preceeded a percussion laden version of the Hino Nacional Brasileiro which still sounded exotic after yours truly produced it about 3 years ago.
Top notch performances by Dede Mabiaku, Alákijà Prime Qwest Highlife Band, Eko Brass Band etc were intermittently spiced with groovy tunes from the wheels of steel of the quintessential DJ Bola Browne. Wonder how he kept holding his own amidst the unending upsurge of a young crop of disk jockeys.
Bearing proudly the conspicuous Brazilian blood in her, Lagos State's First Lady, Her Excellency Dr. Mrs. Ìbíjọkẹ́ Sanwóolú graced the occasion alongside the Consular General of Brazil in Lagos; ably represented by his deputy, Mr. Luisivan Vellar Strelow; Revd. Sam Ikpea, National Chairman of the Nigeria Football Supporters’ Club and other members of staff.
FROSEA crew just back from the highly successful Brazilian tour also registered their presence and all went well so much that no one wanted the day to wind down.
As we were about stepping out of the stadium premises, I could see the smile on the face of the bust of Hilario Campos having witnessed another successful event. An affirmation of what he'd seen several decades ago.
