Fela Kuti honoured in London

A Nubian Jak blue plaque in honour of renowned musician FelaAníkúlápóRansomeKuti has been unveiled in London, United Kingdom (UK).

The plaque was presented at the former residence of the Nigerian-born singer in London where he lived to study music in 1958.

It was championed by the Nubian Jak Community Trust (NJCT), the only commemorative plaque and sculpture scheme, founded in 2006, whichis focused on memorialising the historic contributions of Black and minority ethnic people in Britain and beyond and the Black History Month-UK.

AkyaabaAddai-Sebo, Founder of Black History Month – UK, called on local authorities and the national government to recognise the contributions of Africans to the cultural, economic and political life of London and the UK.

He further proposed restitution to Africa, Africans and people of African descent for years of incalculable damage done to the African by white supremacy practice, slavery, colonialism, imperialism and neo-colonialism.

He also called on the UK government to intensify their support against apartheid; andto continue supporting the policy of naming monuments, parks, streets and buildings after historical and contemporary heroes of African descent.

This, Mr Addai-Sebo noted was to give positive affirmation and images to African children and young people growing up in the UK and to uplift their sense of self-worth and venerate their identity.

He called on Africans and blacks to join hands, mind and voice to salute and pay tribute to NubianJak for the initiative in keeping with the spirit and tenets of the African Jubilee Year Declaration and Black History Month saying “we must love our own memories in order to survive and accomplish.”

In pursuance of naming of monuments, streets and parks after illustrious Africans, the first act done in 1987 was the official renaming of Angel Park in Brixton after Max Roach by Lambeth Borough Council.