Lagos — If you belong to the category of Nigerians who cannot have fun or party unless there is a particular reason, then here is one big cause; this weekend the annual celebration of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti's life comes up!

Imagine if Fela had been alive, he would have been 70. Now this is a cause to celebrate because Fela is not just anybody; he was Nigeria's version of a human right activist and political maverick, who used his music as a political tool against successive anti-people governments. It would be recalled that his hit album Zombie was a mocking attack on Nigerian soldiers, using the zombie metaphor to describe the methods of the Nigerian military. His songs infuriated the government, setting off a vicious attack against his Kalakuta Republic, during which one thousand soldiers attacked the commune. Fela was severely beaten, and his aged mother was thrown from a window, causing fatal injuries. Kalakuta Republic was razed, and Fela's studio, instruments, and master tapes were destroyed. Fela claimed that he would have been killed if it were not for the intervention of a commanding officer as he was being beaten. His response to the attack was to deliver his mother's coffin to the main army barrack in Lagos and write two songs, Coffin for Head of State and Unknown Soldier, referencing the official inquiry that claimed the commune had been destroyed by an unknown soldier. He later formed his own political party, which he called Movement of the People. In 1979 he put himself forward for President in Nigeria's first presidential elections for more than a decade but his candidature was refused. Until his death, Fela was one Nigerian who made history by openly attacking the government for their injustice. It is for this reason and also for his unique afrobeat kind of music, that the enigma called Fela is being celebrated. The memorial event is tagged Baba @ 70, Felabration 2008 had since commenced on October 14 at the New African Shrine and is due to peak on October 19. The event is an afrobeat extravaganza, a posthumous celebration of Fela's birthday, who would have been 70 years old had he lived till now. Although many people who know Fela's recording from the 1980's and beyond, this show is about Fela at his funkiest, the 1970's. Last Tuesday, there was an exclusive exhibition showing 70, keeping with the theme, original Fela Kuti's vinyl, as well as never-before-seen photographs and some Fela-inspired arts.

On Wednesday was another event tagged Ladies toast to Baba @ 70. Of course, Fela's song Lady was played and replayed and the words; If you call a woman African woman no go 'gree, she go say I be lady o... rekindled feelings of nostalgia and fund memories of Baba. On Thursday, the fun continued with a classic performance of Highlife, Juju, and Fuji by Nigeria's bests. But today, some of the new generation acts of Hip-hop and R&B from Nigeria and Europe will be at the Shrine for a thank God for Fela show. Tomorrow, the fun continues with a Saturday Nite Live performance. This includes street carnival/road show and world music jam by Africa Xpress and Naija artistes. The show ends on Sunday with a spectacular 'Sunday Jump,' which involves a closing day concert with Naija and International artistes. An African fashion show exhibition will also take place.

The musicians include Femi and Seun Kuti alongside a distinguished list of other African music bigwigs such as Baaba Maal, Amadou and Mariam, Tony Allen.

Also the African and British gathering of musicians who say they are doing this for love not money, with the collaboration of Africa Express will then herd out to an equally spontaneous jam in London, minus Femi.

Today, at the Agip Hall of the Muson Centre, there will be a command performance of a stage play The Rejected Blessing written and directed by Pamela Udoka and performed by students of Queen's College, Lagos. The play, which is billed for 4:30 p.m. is staged under the auspices of Children's Arts Development Initiative (CHAIN), a non-governmental organisation dedicated to enriching childhood and empowering children.

Cinema Hall II of the National Theatre will on Sunday October 19, host theatre and comedy patrons at live production of the AY Show. The event is a synergy between the management of the National Theatre and Corporate World Entertainment, the production company of the hit television show which presently airs on Minaj Broadcast International, African Independent Television and Silverbird Television, to encourage people to renew their acquaintance with the culture of theatre going. AY Live, according to the National Comedy Award winner (2006), is "designed to be a revolutionary step in the presentations of comedy shows in Nigeria." AY is also a seasoned promoter, event manager, producer of the top Beauty Queens which includes the Queen of Delta 1998/99, Miss Nigeria Tourism, representative to Miss World Tourism, and the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria, representative to Miss World and Miss Universe in 1999.

The Warri-born, Delta State comedian, a graduate of Theatre Arts from Delta State University, is also the president and founder of Corporate World Entertainment, the firm saddled with the task of managing the oncoming show among others.

The event which will begin at 4p.m., according to a press release from the producers of the show, will include many of the segments, that are presently on the television show in the stage performance as well as new and interactive segments such as the live celebrity interview, which gives the audience the opportunity to ask the guest star, in this case, Basket Mouth, anything they want to know about him. Earlier edition of this segment took a completely hilarious spin as Basket Mouth put a comedic twist in response to every question. He jocularly sparred with the audience as they took their own jabs at him.

Another interesting aspect of the show will be the entertainment of the audience by various comedians including Seyilaw and Elenu, Ogbolo and Bovi Ugboma, who plays the character, Onoriode, in the family sitcom, Extended Family, and Akpos in who wants to be a millionaire segment of The AY Show. The focal point of the show will be the Open Mic Comedy Challenge, which AY had started a few years ago at the Vault Nite Club. The challenge will present 15 contestants who will be judged verbally by the audience till there is a winner.