By Taiwo Okanlawon
Legendary music promoter and Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Evergreen Musical Company Limited, Femi Esho, who died on Monday 17th June 2024 after a brief illness has been buried in Lagos.
His family held a tow-day funeral service on Thursday and Friday respectively.
There was a lying in state on Thursday, 29th at 27, Oyedele Ogunniyi Street, Anthony Village, Lagos, followed by a celebration of life serviceat MFM Grace Hall, by UNILAG Second Gate, Olu-Osifeso Street, Onike, Yaba, Lagos.
The proper funeral service was held on Friday 30 August at RCCG, Throne of Grace 31, Moloney Street, Ikoyi, Lagos and interment followed immediately.
Until his demise, he was the Chairman of the Evergreen Musical Company and the Founder of the Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation.
Esho, in May, launched a phenomenal project, the biggest music museum and gallery in Africa, Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation in collaboration with Dr. DK Olukoya.
The ambitious project, which will consist of a music Museum, a music library, a gallery showcasing Head Burst of Artistes, a display of over 1,000 pictures of Nigerian musicians from 1914 and relics of their costumes/old musical instruments, an event centre for music concerts, cinema theatre and recording studio is billed to be completed by December.
At the service, friends and family of the deceased were allowed to pen down their tributes at the condolences.
In his tribute, Dr D. K. Olukoya, the General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Worldwide said Esho lived a noble life that was dedicated to a worthy cause.
”His significant contributions to the music industry were internationally recognised just as his achievements and impacts were undeniable and indelible. Here are some that are worthy of note and of great interest to me:
“He was a foremost collector, patron and preserver of music of yesteryears, not only music of Nigeria but of the entire West Africa sub-region. His legacy is defined by his tireless efforts to ensure the immortality of Nigerian Highlife, Juju, Sakara, Apala, Afrobeat, and other indigenous music genres.
“He established his own musical company and formed a band that was dedicated to Highlife music. He was a prominent figure on radio and television, promoting music, particularly Highlife. For instance, he hosted “Highlife Renaissance” on Ray Power, Nigeria’s first private radio station weekly for about three years. To commemorate Nigeria’s centenary in 2014, he reviewed Nigerian music from 1914 to 2014 on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
“His musical company played a pivotal role in reviving the works of legendary musicians through a project that repackaged music from the 1920s. Pa Esho launched the Evergreen Music Foundation in Surulere, Lagos, aimed at preserving and safe guarding musical heritage. This foundation is a comprehensive resource for research and documentation of over 10,000 Nigerian musicians, supporting researchers, to anthropologists and sociologists globally. He was a mentor and an “encyclopedia” of music to many Highlife music enthusiasts.
”The purpose of life is to be useful, to be honourable, to be compassionate, to have it make a difference that you have lived and lived well. Undoubtedly, this music icon will always be remembered for his outstanding contributions to national and global development as well as his worthwhile legacy.
“Pa Esho was a father and a friend to me. We shared music interest together. He was a devoted child of God and an amiable gentleman. I wish to state that an illustrious music icon and compatriot has gone. He will forever be remembered. May his soul continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord,” he prayed.
Olayinka Esho described his father as the symbol of high life music in Nigeria and globally the mere mention of high-life without mentioning his name is incomplete.
”Dad exposed us his children to music early in life, he took us to musical shows and life bands fame sing. Dad’s love for music would blow your mind very contagious, he didn’t only love music he embraced all forms of entertainment to comedy shows, sports like boxing he had all Mohammed Alli’s fight on video cassette way back ,he had countless musical books, musicians biography in his library, musical concert videos, gospel videos, Indian videos, Chinese movies, Yoruba movies were not left out we never needed to go to cinema ,his repertoire were reference point for us to get updated with current happenings in the world then that was our own Google and You-tube then as there was no internet and social media then.
“Dad you remain our hero and patriarch, you are with your creator and singing your favourite tunes as the angels in heaven herald, welcome and sing along with you, dad you are in a higher place in paradise. You have left this sinful world; you feel pain no more.
We all love you but God loves you most I thank God for the impactful life you lived and lifes you touched, sun re layá olugbala yin baba dada,our loss is heavens gain till we meet to part no more rest in perfect peace in the Lord.”
Bimbo Esho also described her father a Cerebral, Charismatic, Handsome, Humorous, Jovial, Polished, Refined, Smooth, Suave, Urbane, Trailblazer.
In her words, “when the history of music, especially in regard to our indigenous repertoire is to be truly and authoritatively written your name will continually resound and have a global acclaim and respect. Dad, I wish you were here today to read all the positive comments from all and sundry. There is no doubt that you have lived a good life and left a positive impact on the mind of people.
”You sacrificed the entirety of yourself in ensuring that the works of our indigenous musicians are not forgotten into the annals of history. Gradually you lived to become an enviable musical stream with your Evergreen Music treasure of Yesteryears to behold. You were selfless and an enigma who saw the future. You invested the whole of yourself in mien and soft spoken words always filled with wisdom.
“When time demands to know our father’s names we shall trace our heritage to your MUSICAL EMPIRE. SUN RE 000, BABA MUSICIAN!
“Hhhhhaaaaaa daddy, i know I’m a baby to you where all your works are concerned but for you to acquire the works of Nigeria and Africa combined from 1900s means you were way ahead of your time in our country, oh how i wished the people of the western region knew your worth even if we didn’t understand what you were collecting, we should have gathered together to support you in any way we could to make your dream a reality.
Thank you for believing in Nigeria, thamk you for everything baba mi owon, baba mi atata.
Rest and smile, be at ease….give a big hug to Jesus for me.
Love you forever daddy. – Layinka (Yinka Davies)
My wonderful and my great father, how I wish you are still alive but I know God Knows more than us. Baba Esho, I really miss you so much. May your soul continue to rest in peace.
Good Night, Baba Mi! -Ogunsanwo Oluremi Michael
Transition is a central metaphor in human existence, but this is one transition that rankles deeply. Pa Esho had over the years assured the Evergreen connotation of his organization brand name and his age by relationship with music. It was difficult to believe that his cultural icon and custodian of our continent musical legend left to be with his maker. -Hakeem Bello
Your death comes as a shock because you were always spritely despite your age. Thank you very much for all you did to promote authentic Nigerian music. Rest in peace. – Lanre Arogundade
Ecclesiastes 3:1-11: For everything there is a season, A time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to di…….l time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to……Hallelujah!!!! Baba Femi Esho of Evergreen Music World Wide has gone home to rest in peace.
May the gentle soul of Baba Esho rest in the bosom of the Lord. Amen. May the Lord grant the children, family members, friends, well wishers, etc enough strength to bear the irreparable loss. Amen. -Olatunji
Sir Femi Esho.. musical soul and champion of the African highlife music historical facts. He left behind an admirable general reference work for posterity. Very much adored by musicians. He will be missed but his legacy is perennial. -Paul Rotimi
He pursued his dream, lived a good life and left his mark, one of value to us all. Condolences to his family as we celebrate a Nigerian Hero.
-Nike Ransome Kuti
Baba’s legacy will continue to inspire and influence music lovers around the globe. Mr. Esho’s contributions to the world of music are immeasurable, and his presence will be deeply missed. May his soul continue to rest in peace, and may his family find solace in the knowledge that his work and spirit will live on through the beautiful melodies he so dearly cherished. -Jesse king Bùgá
