The vibrant city of Lagos came alive once again as Evergreen Musical Company Limited hosted the 2025 edition of Ariya Eko an annual celebration honouring the legends of Nigerian music and arts.
This year’s edition was specially designed to coincide with Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary, serving as both a tribute to the nation’s journey and to the men and women whose creative brilliance helped define its cultural identity.
Held under the radiant Lagos skyline, the event recognised 65 distinguished personalities who have made lasting contributions to music and the arts.
Among the honourees were Stella Monye, Dele Abiodun, Jossy Friday, Queen Salawa Abeni (Waka Queen), Tee Mac, a former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Evangelist Funmi Aragbaye, Evangelist J.A., and Baba Ajibiewe, among many others who helped shape the sound and soul of Nigeria.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, graced the occasion as the Special Guest of Honour.
In his brief but inspiring address, the governor commended the initiative and personally presented awards to three recipients, applauding Evergreen Music for its commitment to preserving Nigeria’s musical heritage.
Speaking at the event, Mz. Bimbo Esho, Managing Director of Evergreen Musical Company Limited and the visionary behind Ariya Eko, emphasized the importance of celebrating legends while they are still alive.
“Recognising the stars of yesteryears while they are still living is a great motivation — not only for them but also for upcoming artistes,” she said.
Esho described Ariya Eko as more than just an award ceremony.
“It serves as both a tribute to the icons of yesteryears and a tool for fostering deeper cultural ties, encouraging cross-generational dialogue, and opening pathways for international cultural diplomacy,” she explained.
According to her, this year’s Independence Edition underscores the enduring value of indigenous creativity to Nigeria’s national story, amplifying voices that represent strength, pride, and resilience.
“At its heart, Ariya Eko is a bridge between the young and the old, between the local and the global, between memory and innovation.
It is a celebration of Lagos, of Nigeria, and of the unyielding power of music to inspire, connect, and transform,” she added.
Esho also announced that Ariya Eko would continue as an annual tradition, with future honourees to be carefully selected from the country’s rich pool of artistic talent. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism for their unwavering support before and during the event.
Concluding her remarks, she appealed to fans and supporters to keep showing love and encouragement, noting that their support serves as a strong motivation to sustain the project.
With soulful performances, emotional tributes, and a spirit of unity, Ariya Eko 2025 once again reaffirmed that Nigeria’s music is not just entertainment it is history, identity, and a timeless rhythm that tells the story of a resilient people.
Veteran juju musician, Queen Ayo Balogun, at Àríyá Èkó Independence Music Festival, held on Sunday, October 5th, 2025 in Lagos.
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