Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: A phenomenon of an Uncommon status.......

Fela's music,lifestyle and human rights activism have all endeared him to millions of Nigerians and people around the world. The maverick,enigmatic and irresistible musician,makes good music, he defined for himself an incredible lifestyle and he just couldn't stop thinking,close his eyes and of course can't shut his mouth and let corruption,injustice and poverty rule in the Nigerian society and in Africa. In other words,Fela won't let the man die in him, as Professor Wole Soyinka,his cousin narrated in his well-known book titled 'The man Died' Fela Anikulapo-Kuti was born on 15th October 1938 into the famous and influential Ransome Kuti family.He had his early education in Abeokuta and later went to London to study music instead of medicine that he originally came to study in London. Fela was soon back in Nigeria. It seemed that his African beliefs couldn't stand the Europeaness of London. Fela was always making good music! His popular songs Zombie,Beast of no nation,suffering and smiling and Confusion Break bone were all products of a visionary,prophetic and exemplary leadership. Many Nigerians could clearly see that Fela cared a lot for the Nigerian masses and all the downtrodden in Africa and around the world. Today When Nigerians reflect on the political, economic, and ethnicity, problems plaguing Nigeria, Fela is the the first name that would come out of many Nigerian lips! Everything Fela Anikulapo-Kuti said about Nigeria have been fulfilled. No wonder Fela was always clashing with the Nigerian Soldiers,who did everything to break him but all their efforts went into futility. Fela didn't just hate the military for hate sake,he was just a down-to earth Nigerian and an ardent lover of the Nigerian people.NO sooner the democratic process was partially restored in 1992 and the popular June 12 1993 mandate of the widely acclaimed winner, Chief M.K.O. Abiola was annulled by the head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, and bastardized by some politicians,than Fela called it DemonCrazy! Demonstration of craze, crazy demonstration. If he had lived in the 5th century, Fela could have been named as one of the African gods!His personality was beyond the ordinary, so he was named 'Abami Eda' 'Orisha'. No wonder an Italian came to Nigeria to ask for some Fela's clothes because he would like to worship Fela. Fela's music, lifestyle,courage and human rights activism have written his name in GOLD for posterity. Fela is this writer Nigeria's number one celebrity.