The Lagos State Government has endorsed the hosting of the Festac Music Festival, which was initiated by the late Nigerian singer-songwriter Olanrewaju Abdul-Ganiu Fasasi – popularly called Sound Sultan.
According to the state government, this gesture is a way of keeping the late Rapper’s vision of raising young talents alive.
Sound Sultan died on July 11, 2021, at the age of 44 after battling Angioimmunoblastic T-Cell Lymphoma.
Speaking at the third edition of the festival and the first held after the death of Sound Sultan, the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Solomon Bonu, said that the festival would henceforth enjoy the sponsorship of the State Government.
He added that the present administration saw the need to support the vision of Sound Sultan, through a company in which he has equity – Naija Ninja Production, to develop more creative minds and take interested youths off the streets.
According to him, the Festac Music Festival was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture to honour Sound Sultan, preserve his legacy and appreciate his contributions to the music industry.
He informed participants at the event that Festac Music Festival will hold annually for four days every December.
The Festival Director, Singer, Filmmaker and Chief Executive of Naija Ninja Production, Mr. Dare Fasasi (Baba Dee), who is the elder brother to late Sound Sultan, thanked the State Government for the recognition accorded the festival in furtherance of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision to enhance the skills of young, creative and talented Lagosians.
Fasasi noted that the Festac Music Festival was held as a tribute to the late Sound Sultan, featuring top Nigerian entertainers łike Kenny Blaq, Vector, Jaywon and award-winning Canada-based music diva Tome, Faze and a host of other musicians.
Festac Music Festival is tailored after the Black Festival of Arts and Culture (Festac 77) and it is held annually at Festac Town with support from Amuwo-Odofin Local Government as well as some private organisations.
