On July 12, 2023, friends, coworkers, and admirers of the late Nigerian artist Olanrewaju Fasasi, known by his stage name Sound Sultan, came to honour him with a memorial lecture. The symposium was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos and was titled “Fractured Bonds: Path to Reconciliation and Healing Post-2023 Elections.”
Sam Adeyemi, the senior pastor of the Daystar Christian Centre, gave the keynote address while comedian and media celebrity Yaw moderated the gathering.
Amateur comedian Alibaba, Imam Hakeem Kosoko, actor and politician Desmond Elliot, Okey Bakassi, Ayo Animashaun, Chioma Chukwuka, and Ruggedman were among the panellists that contributed to the symposium. Following the elections in 2023, they each offered their individual opinions on the way to rapprochement and healing.
Adeyemi in his virtual keynote address said, “Love actually starts from our heart. Love is not just a feeling; it starts with a choice. In my estimation, love is recognising and celebrating the value of another person. That value is rooted in the knowledge that every human is created in the image of God, placing the highest possible value on us. Love is the root of development, and we should strive to transform love into law and value for humanity.”
According to Desmond Elliot, “Love is uncompromising. Today, we are more divided as a people than ever before. The only way to bridge this divide is by reminding ourselves that we are Nigerians and that collectively, we are great. The failure of the government to acknowledge and disseminate this information has contributed to the challenges we face today.”
Speaking at the event, Alibaba stated the need for transparency in elections. According to him, “We need to ensure transparency in our electoral process. Furthermore, we must prioritise the education of the electorate. Many citizens lack the necessary education, and their understanding of elections is solely based on what politicians tell them.”
Also in attendance werecelebrities like Dare Art-Alade, Zaaki Azzay, Gbenga Adeyinka, Efe Omoregbe and Eddy Lawani.
