The Day Wyclef Came to Abuja
Stories by Justina Okpanku
Monday, August 9, 2004 should have been another quiet evening for Abuja, except for the history-making event, Guinness Blackgold concerts.
" Nigeria, let me see your hand!" said charged visiting musician Wyclef Jean while performing live close to midnight in Abuja, the nation's capital. The atmosphere was electrifying.
Before Wyclef came on stage, other known musicians have mimed and performed. PMAN President Charles Oputa and Ara, the famous drummer girl of La Campagne Tropicana also graced the occasion.
When the august visitor came in donning white singlet and black pants, he breathed new life into the concert which began around 9pm. He sang, rapped and danced. He is an entertainer.
The over one million fans who gathered at the awe-inspiring International Conference Centre, Abuja, venue of the Guinness Blackgold concerts quickly obliged. The conference centre is the most exciting place to be in Abuja at night. It will be an entertainment hub.
Excitedly, the audience yelled jumped up and clapped. The echo vibrated through the entire city. It was a thrilling experience!
Certainly, it makes one wonder how Abuja must have longed for this action. One was surprised to see the elderly who are young at heart coming to the show.
For instance, an elderly man dressed in flamboyant native attire with a paraphernalia of a chief and his wife in iro and buba, a Yoruba traditional dress, jumped about. They were obviously enjoying themselves.
"I know it's for the youth, but it's good to see the youth enjoy. It's quite interesting. I have been hearing about Wyclef. So, it's good I came."
Without doubt, the peaceful nation's capital Abuja was disturbed a little, yet it gave a lot of people an opportunity to rekindle their intimacy and soak their troubles away, thanks to Guinness Nigeria Plc and the new Guinness unique bottle that is being introduced nationwide.
Even though Abuja is racing to keep up with other world capitals, demand for entertainment stopped at highest level of service, hospitality, spacious rooms, the best international food and a lot of green. The environment is friendly and peaceful.
Still, there is no night life except those looking for love in the red light districts like Area 4.
It's a rare visitor who hasn't been starved for real entertainment in Abuja, the nation's capital.
"Where are the clubs in Abuja? Who are the musicians?" a visiting tour operator once asked.
Life in Abuja is dull for a city keen on developing appeal for international business.
Sure, as the first rain seep into patched earth, Abuja welcomed Wyclef.
Petite Wyclef wasn't so much an attraction with his dreadlocks. But his music was. He is big internationally and his songs are interesting. Little wonder, the audience could not have enough of him.
Mr. Jaiye Aboderin of Synergy attested to the fact that people could not have enough of him.
"I watched him in Lagos. No be me be this (in Abuja)? Look at the crowd, look at the space. 'Hands up Nigeria' and the crowd will obey", he said in pidgin English.
Aboderin was not alone.
An English lady based in Lagos who identified herself as Nina was excited when Wyclef was performing.
"I have been following him for ages, from England, South Africa to the United States, he is real good. I love his music."
It is obvious the Federal Capital Territory will like to see more of the concerts and the unusual things multi-national companies are offering.
Although the promotions centred on the bottle of Guinness Stout, it ended up boosting peoples' quests for relaxation and the lack -lustre domestic tourism bedeviling the tourism industry in the country.
The fact is that while Guinness brought Wyclef to Nigeria for strategic marketing, the concerts in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja from last Friday, Sunday and Monday respectively were enough to get the attention of the concept: "Great Unique New Bottle, the Same Taste".
Wyclef and his band encouraged fans from across the country and beyond to move from one destination to the other to watch the star perform live. Those who missed Lagos or Port Harcourt concerts made the Abuja one.
Prior to his visit , there was great expectations. Some simply could not wait to see the man whose songs filter out from their music sets in their living rooms, public areas and so on.
Guinness was determined to carry people along. They came with every little detail that could make a big difference to people. The hype was enough to whet the appetite of music lovers.
The opening night concert took place at Oceanview Restaurant, Victoria Island, Lagos on August 5, 2004. Coming on the heels of the performance was the big show, silver Guinness Blackgold concert the following day at the same venue.
The Port Harcourt concert held at Beverly Hills Hotel was adjudged to be the best. But some who saw it all said that he reserved the best for the last show in Abuja.
That Monday visitors were everywhere in town. From Abuja Sheraton to Le Meridien Hotel, the story centred on Wyclef and his band.
Wyclef stayed at Le Meridien where he was busy signing autographs and answering probing questions from reporters at the lobby. He must have been at his best element.
While the crowd was waiting for the star to arrive news went round that Wyclef had a sprain. It was later discovered that it didn't affect anything. The mammoth crowd must have blew his mind.
If the organisers of the event underestimated Abuja entertainment industry, traders who hawk all manners of merchandise from food and drinks to 'T' shirts and caps didn't.
There came prepared. Photographers were not left out. They all made brisk business. Guinness also profited from selling their drinks.
Without doubt, Guinness will be living up to its promise to promote more tourism, domestic and international, to enhance the economy.
Managing Director, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Keith Richards thanked Wyclef for coming to Nigeria for the first time.
He said:" I know that across the country, Nigerians will be talking about these concerts for along time to come."
Some have tried to compare the three concerts without success. Even though the tickets were different for the three venues, the Abuja which had the lowest ticket tag and sold at N3,000.00 drew more crowd. Security was assured and everyone was satisfied. The Managing Director of Guinness Nigeria Plc., Keith Richards said:" We are known for doing new and big things well and for achieving excellence in everything we do. We are no strangers to the high profile, high standard events. In the last two years alone we have hosted highly commended concerts for Joe and Seal Paul and premiered an international class movie, staring Michael Power which earlier this year opened New York African film Festival and won Best Picture at the Hollywood Black Film Festival."
However, one thing was clear. A lot of people love Wyclef's music, saw him and gave their heart to him. No wonder there was a full house in Abuja.
The American musician was expected to have left Nigeria Tuesday morning via Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.
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