KOKORO’S DREAM FULFILLED AS FASHOLA IMMORTALISES BLIND MINISTREL

Adedayo Adejobi

The Governor of Lagos state, Babatunde Raji Fashola today through a corporate Social Responsibility immortalized and brought to life the memory of the late legendary bitinerant tambourine-playing minstrel,Pa Benjamin Aderounmu better known as ‘‘Kokoro’’. The Public presentation and launch of a re-produced audio-visual collection of songs titled Igi Araba by yesterday brought to life Pa Benjamin’s unfulfilled dream which was to release an album.
The Lagos state governor, Babtunde Fashola, who was represented by the Commisioner for Home Affairs and Culture, Honourable Tunde Balogun called Kokoro a “national cultural treasure of inestimable value to the state”, that “his never say-die spirit has been a source of inspiration”, and that it was in the interest of the state government to recognize and celebrate him while alive, because “it is in celebrating you that we are celebrating ourselves.”
In the words of Governor Fashola, ‘‘In tandem with the philosophy of this administration of encouraging public Private Partnership (PPP), we have joined Keem Communications in this laudable initiative to present and launch the compilation works of ‘‘Kokoro-IGI ARABA’’for the listening public, lovers of good music, the younger generations, upcoming ones, old fans of the musician I would call ‘‘the old schools’’ and indeed for posterity.
According to Fashola, ‘‘Kokoro’’, though blind, he was a man who contributed in no mean way to the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition. ‘‘A man who refused to be limited by life’s adversity and proved through his talent that disability was not synonymous with inability, deserves to be remembered and celebrated.’’ He said
The event which took place at the Shell Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos was chaired by Oba Akiolu of Lagos while Chief Kessington Adebutu served as Father of the day and Chief Launcher respectively. Other notable dignitaries who graced the occasion were Erelu Dosunmu, Bisade Ologunde (Lagbaja), Pa Chris Ajilo and Dele Abiodun.

According to the organiser of the event, Keem Communications Limited, Mr Yomi Opakunle disclosed that a certain percentage of the proceeds of the launch will go to the family of the deceased minstrel while another will be donated to some charity homes in Kokoro's name.
Among highlights of the colourful epoch making event were recognition and presentation of award plaques to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the‘‘Grand Pillar of Soccour’’, with Governor Babatunde Fashola being honoured with the award ‘‘Pillar of Soccour’’ while Bisade Ologunde popularly known as Lagbaja bagged the award ‘‘Pillar of Soccour’’ respectively.
Barely a month before celebrating his 84th birthday which would have come up on 25th February 2009, Pa Benjamin Aderonmu, popularly named ‘KOKORO’ and also known in recent times until early 2008 as “The Homeless Blind Minstrel” died at the age of 83.
family in Owo (his father was a prince), a town in the western region of Nigeria, Kokoro passed on to glory on Sunday 25th January in Lagos. He was survived by his wife, Caroline, and two children.