Renowned American R&B group, Shalamar, is set to light up Abuja with an unforgettable concert on Oct. 4, coinciding with Nigeria’s 65th Independence celebrations.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event will take place at the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

Fans in the Federal Capital Territory and beyond can look forward to a nostalgic evening filled with classic hits and electrifying performances from the Grammy-winning trio.

The highly anticipated concert, promoted by iCreate Africa in collaboration with First Culture Limited, promises to be a musical journey through Shalamar’s extensive repertoire, making it a must-see for old-school music enthusiasts and new fans alike.

The group is renowned for timeless tracks such as A Night To Remember and I Can Make You Feel Good.

Highlighting the significance of the show, Bright Jaja, Chief Executive Officer of iCreate Africa, described Shalamar’s decision to extend their global tour to Nigeria as a major cultural moment.

”We’re thrilled to welcome Shalamar to Abuja this Independence Weekend. Their decision to include Nigeria on their tour is not just an honour, it’s a long-overdue gift to a vibrant community of music lovers who have carried their legacy for decades,” he said.

Jaja added that the concert would create unforgettable experiences for mature audiences who rarely get events tailored to them.

According to him, tickets are currently available at Jabi Boat Club, El-Amin International School, House 43 and Istanbul Restaurant, Jabi Mall.

Similarly, Tunde Babalola, Creative Director of First Culture, noted that the show goes beyond entertainment.

According to him, this isn’t just a concert, it’s a gift to all generations; a musical bridge between the past and present.

”Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience a breathtaking Shalamar performance curated to evoke thrills, nostalgia and goose bumps.”

In a video message, Shalamar members Howard Hewett, Carolyn Griffey and Jeffrey Daniel expressed excitement about returning to Nigeria.

Daniel, who pioneered the iconic dance move known as the “backslide” (later called the moonwalk), promised fans that the show would truly be “a night to remember.”

Shalamar, celebrated for their energetic performances and contributions to dance music, including popularising “body-popping” in the UK, are regarded as one of the finest funk and soul groups of their generation.

With over 25 million records sold before the classic lineup split in the mid-1980s, the group’s enduring influence remains strong.

The group’s discography includes hits such as Friends, Make That Move, Sweeter As The Days Go By, There It Is and I Owe You One.

This will not be Shalamar’s first Nigerian outing. In January 1982, the band performed at the National Arts Theatre in Lagos, before staging sold-out shows at the University of Lagos, University of Ibadan and then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University).

As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, Shalamar’s return promises a night of pulsating live performances and a nostalgic experience for lovers of old-school music.

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Yusuf Adebayo Cameron Grillo (1934–2021) was one of Nigeria’s most influential modern artists, renowned for his mastery of stained glass, his innovative use of color, and his role in shaping postcolonial Nigerian art. As a painter, sculptor, muralist, and educator, Grillo stood at the crossroads of tradition and modernity, blending Yoruba cultural themes with international artistic movements.

Early Life and Education

Born in Lagos in 1934, Grillo displayed an early passion for drawing and craftsmanship. He studied at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science, and Technology, Zaria, in the 1950s, where he became a member of the “Zaria Art Society”—a group of radical young artists popularly called the Zaria Rebels. The society challenged colonial art education by advocating a “natural synthesis,” fusing Western techniques with African traditions. This philosophy became the foundation of Grillo’s lifelong practice.

Artistic Style and Innovations

Grillo developed a signature style distinguished by luminous blue hues, inspired by Adire (the Yoruba indigo-dyed textile). His compositions often featured Yoruba figures, rituals, and daily life, rendered with geometric abstraction and modernist discipline.

While celebrated as a painter, Grillo gained international distinction for his stained-glass and mosaic works. He received commissions for major Nigerian institutions, including churches, universities, and public buildings. His installations—such as those at the Chapel of the Resurrection, University of Lagos, and at Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH)—remain striking landmarks for their intricate design, bold symbolism, and interplay of light and color.

Through stained glass, Grillo extended Nigeria’s visual culture into sacred and civic spaces, adapting a European medium into a distinctly Nigerian form of expression.

Institutional Leadership

Beyond his artistic output, Grillo was a pioneering arts administrator and teacher. He served as the founding president of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) in 1963, helping to formalize Nigeria’s professional art community.

At Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH), Grillo became the Director of the School of Art, Design, and Printing, a position he held for decades. His mentorship shaped generations of Nigerian artists, many of whom went on to become leading figures in contemporary art both locally and internationally.

Recognition and Legacy

Grillo exhibited widely across Africa, Europe, and the United States, becoming one of Nigeria’s first globally recognized modern artists. His works remain in both private and institutional collections, and he is celebrated as one of the founding fathers of modern Nigerian art.

He passed away on 23 August 2021 in Lagos. Today, his contributions live on not only through his distinctive artworks—marked by radiant blues and careful geometric compositions—but also through the institutions he strengthened and the students he nurtured.

Yusuf Grillo embodied the postcolonial Nigerian search for identity through art. His ability to merge Yoruba aesthetics with modernist techniques made him a cultural bridge between Nigeria and the wider world. His stained-glass masterpieces, educational leadership, and pioneering role in professionalizing Nigerian art cement his place as a cornerstone of African modernism.

Sources
Premium Times Nigeria. “Renowned Nigerian artist, Yusuf Grillo, dies at 87.” August 2021.

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Born: 6 June 1904
Died: 19 November 1994
Titles: MBE, OON, CFR
Notable Roles: Principal, CMS Grammar School, Lagos; Bishop of Lagos

Early Life and Education

Seth Irunsewe Kale was born on 6 June 1904 during the British colonial period in Nigeria. Raised in a Christian family, he came of age in an era when missionary education offered one of the few avenues for Nigerians to advance academically and professionally.

He attended CMS Grammar School, Lagos, the first secondary school in Nigeria, before proceeding to Fourah Bay College, Sierra Leone. At Fourah Bay, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology, equipping him for a dual career in education and the Anglican ministry. His formative years in both institutions instilled in him a blend of intellectual discipline, moral integrity, and Christian devotion that would define his life’s work.

Career in Education

In 1944, Kale was appointed Principal of CMS Grammar School, Lagos, a position he held until 1950. His tenure coincided with Nigeria’s nationalist awakening, as the push for self-government gained momentum.

Under his leadership, the school maintained its reputation for academic excellence and Christian discipline while also nurturing students who would later play influential roles in politics, academia, and church leadership. Kale’s stewardship helped solidify CMS Grammar School’s position as a premier educational institution in West Africa during a transformative period in Nigerian history.

Ecclesiastical Career

Kale’s calling extended into the higher ranks of the Anglican Church.

In 1960, he was consecrated Assistant Bishop of Lagos, reflecting his growing prominence within the Church Missionary Society’s Nigerian structure.

By 1963, he was elevated to Bishop of Lagos, one of the most prestigious dioceses in the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion). He served in this capacity until 1974.

As Bishop, Kale oversaw the church during a turbulent post-independence period marked by political instability and the Nigerian Civil War (1967–1970). He worked to strengthen the church’s institutional presence, promote unity, and ensure that Anglicanism remained a stabilizing moral force in society.

Honors and Recognition

Kale’s service was recognized both within and beyond Nigeria:

He was awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) during the colonial era.
After independence, the Nigerian government honored him with the titles of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) and Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR).

These awards reflected his dual contributions as both an ecclesiastical leader and a nation-builder.

Later Life and Death

After his retirement in 1974, Kale continued to serve as a respected elder statesman of the church. His wisdom was sought on matters of faith, education, and governance, and he remained deeply connected to the Anglican community until his passing.

He died on 19 November 1994, at the age of 90.

Legacy

Seth Irunsewe Kale is remembered as one of the foundational figures of Nigerian Anglicanism in the twentieth century. As Principal of CMS Grammar School, he helped mold a generation of leaders at a pivotal moment in the nation’s history. As Bishop of Lagos, he provided stability and spiritual guidance during Nigeria’s early years of independence.

His life bridged the missionary-led church of the colonial period and the African-led Anglican Church that emerged in the post-independence era. Kale’s legacy continues to be honored within both educational and ecclesiastical circles as a symbol of integrity, scholarship, and faithful service.

Sources:
Storer, Richard. Biographical Dictionary of Christian Missions (1974)

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