Illegal mass migration tops agenda for LIJF 2019

Tragic stories of people being smuggled illegally and finding themselves at the risk of assault and abuse such as rape, beating, kidnappings, prostitution, slavery, robbery, organs harvesting, sex/human trafficking, and others are amongst the many incidents that influenced the organisers of the Lagos International Jazz Festival (LIJF) to place addressing the social menace of illegal migration on the front burner at this year’s festival.

The LIJF 2019 colloquium seek to find ways to tackle the challenge through the use of music and the creative arts with the theme – ‘Music And The Creative Arts As Tools For Addressing The Dangers & Perils Of Illegal/Irregular Mass Migration’.

Speaking on the topic and the thrust of this year’s festival, founder and festival director, LIJF, Ayoola Sadare, said: “After the 10th anniversary of the Lagos International Jazz Festival in 2018, someone close embarked on the journey to Europe through the Sahara inspite of strong advice and evidence of what transpires during the journey.

This shocked me and I reaIised more, how hopeless people must feel and desperate they were to escape their situation and embark on this journey.

“This phenomenon is serious! We at the festival then felt its only right that such a platform, as ours in cooperation with others should be able to do more than just promote Jazz and get musicians to perform. It should be a voice, give back to society and help raise awareness for certain causes, this being one,” he added.

According to Sadare, the creative arts working closely with the media have the power to do this and effect change. He added that the response of people to music, Jazz inclusive and the creative arts is a positive one and must be used as a medium to strongly communicate the anomalies in society in an easily understood manner.

He notes that speakers at the Festival colloquium will include, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Steve Ayorinde, PMAN president, Pretty Okafor among others.

Scheduled for two days at the Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos, on Monday April 29 and Tuesday 30, the Festival also incorporates the Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) and UNESCO recognised International Jazz Day on April 30.

During the April Jazz Appreciation month, LIJF will collaborate with other events like the Loud Beach Festival, Industry Nite, Umutu Jazz Immersion and a few others to bring the music closer to the people.

Organised by Inspiro Productions and Sloweganzi International, the LIJF 2019 is a one venue, two nights, and three stages event. This year’s edition will feature both home based and international acts including David Friesen (USA), Christine Kamau (Kenya), Bright Gain, Orliam, Sam Ayunke (South Africa), Wole Oni, DJ Humility, and YBNL Princess, Temmie Ovwasa among others.

This year’s LIJF is supported by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts & Culture, PMAN, Sovereign Trust Insurance Plc., and variuos media houses and organisations.