Olukoya mourns Esho, says was an outstanding Highlife evangelist
Dr Daniel Olukoya, General Overseer, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, has described late Femi Esho, a music promoter, as an illustrious musical icon and an outstanding Highlife evangelist.
Olukoya, in a statement on Tuesday, said that the deceased was like a father to him, as well as a friend.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Femi Esho died on Monday, June 17, 2024 after a brief illness at the age of 77. He is to be buried on Friday, Aug. 30.
Esho, until his demise was the Chairman of the Evergreen Musical Company, as well as the Founder of the Evergreen Music Heritage Foundation.
“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, an outstanding Highlife evangelist and compatriot has gone. He will forever be remembered.
“May his soul continue to rest in the bosom of the Lord,” he said.
Olukoya noted that late Esho lived a noble life that was dedicated to a worthy cause.
He said the deceased’s significant contributions to the music industry are internationally recognised, just as his achievements and impacts are undeniable and indelible.
He explained that one of the deceased’s notable achievements was the fact that he was a foremost collector, patron and preserver of music of yesteryears across the entire West Africa sub-region.
He said late Esho’s legacy could be defined by his tireless efforts to ensure the immortality of Nigerian Highlife, Juju, Sakara, Apala, Afrobeat, and other indigenous music genres.
According to him, late Esho launched the Evergreen Music Foundation, a comprehensive resource for research and documentation of over 10,000 Nigerian musicians, supporting researchers, anthropologists and sociologists globally.
He said late Esho was a mentor and an “encyclopedia” of music to many Highlife music enthusiasts.
“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.
“Undoubtedly, this music icon will always be remembered for his outstanding contributions to national and global development as well as his worthwhile legacy,” he said.
