Fasting and prayers or dearth of 5G? There have been many theories as to why coronavirus initially had a slow spread in Africa.
But don’t get it twisted. Whatever the argument is, the killer virus is here in Nigeria, and like in other climes, the rapid spread of the coronavirus across the world has sparked cancellations and postponements in the entertainment landscape as safety concerns grow.
TheCable Lifestyle runs the rule over major Nigerian artistes and music events in the country and abroad that have so far been affected by the killer virus.
Praiz Postpones Concert
Praiz, Nigerian R&B singer, has postponed his Praiz Live concert due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The 36-year-old songwriter took to his Instagram page on Thursday to announce the development.
“The health and safety of my fans always come first, though a lot of preparations have gone in to give you a great show, unfortunately, I am cancelling #PraizLive concert meant to hold on Saturday 21st March 2020,” he wrote.
Femi Kuti Cancels Event At Afrika Shrine, Postpones European Tour
On Wednesday, Femi, son of Fela Kuti, late Afrobeat legend, took to social media to announce the cancellation of all major events at Afrika Shrine, an open entertainment centre in Ikeja, Lagos state.
According to him, the move was to serve as “a precautionary measure against the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the globe”.
“The management of the New Africa Shrine has decided to cancel all major events this week as a precautionary measure against the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the globe. We will continue to monitor the situation of things before we revert to our regular programming,” he wrote on Twitter.
The management of the New Africa Shrine has decided to cancel all major events this week as a precautionary measure against the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the globe. We will continue to monitor the situation of things b4 we revert to our regular programming. ❤️🤗 pic.twitter.com/a6jBdWhPNP
— Femi Anikulapo-Kuti (@Femiakuti) March 18, 2020
On Tuesday, the 57-year-old talented musician had also postponed his spring European tour due to the coronavirus crisis.
“Due to the prevailing circumstances, our spring European tour has been called off…,” he wrote on Instagram.
Asa Postpones Three-City LUCID Tour
Joining the fray, Bukola Elemide, Nigerian-French vocalist better known as Asa, took to her Twitter page to postpone her forthcoming three-city tour amid coronavirus fears.
The tour, was earlier billed to kick off on March 29, in London and then Lagos and Abuja on April 11 and April 13 respectively.
But in a post on Thursday, the gifted recording artist said a new date for the event would be communicated to the public in due course.
“Due to the developing Covid-19 situation and for your health and safety, I am sad to announce that I will be rescheduling my shows in London on March 29, Lagos April 11, and Abuja April 13. All purchased tickets will be duly refunded and a new date will be announced as soon as possible,” she wrote on Twitter.
Stay safe my love. We will get through this. ❤️🦅 pic.twitter.com/dDbnGuNL53
— Asa (@Asa_official) March 18, 2020
I Go Dye’s 25th Anniversary Postponed
Until Wednesday, several fans of I Go Dye, a comedian, had joined in the count down to his silver anniversary on stage.
The much-awaited event had earlier been billed to take place on April 12 in Benin, Edo state.
But in a dramatic turn of events, the comedian took to his social media page on Wednesday to announce the postponement of the event.
“My forthcoming silver anniversary on stage, Kinging with the Kings platinum edition has been postponed,” he wrote.
“This period calls for concern and sober reflection. It a moment of trying times. I can’t be celebrating now as cases of coronavirus disease continue to be identified in countries around the world, the effort to stem its spread has kept some 290 million students home from school.”
Davido Postpones ‘A Good Time’ Tour
When Davido kickstarted his tour for ‘A Good Time’ — his 2019 hit album — in North America on February 21, he least anticipated he would be forced to put it to hold halfway.
But on March 13, the ‘OBO’ crooner postponed the tour, citing safety of his fans as reason behind the move.
“I am saddened to halt what has been a fantastic sold-out tour so far, but postponing is the right thing to do,” he had written on Twitter.
I’m saddened to halt what has been a fantastic sold-out tour so far, but postponing is the right thing to do. The health and safety of my fans and staff is most paramount and nothing else matters. Be safe and see you all soon! God be with us all! pic.twitter.com/NSG6Y5SltN
— Davido (@davido) March 13, 2020
Sinach’s Live In Concert In Lagos And Australia Postponed
Osinachi Joseph, gospel singer, better known as Sinach, also makes the list of musicians whose music plans were disrupted by coronavirus.
The singer had earlier fixed her ‘Sinach Live in Concert’ Lagos for March 22. Following concerns over the outbreak of the pandemic, she would later reschedule the concert for October 18.
This comes about the same time when the singer postponed her tour of Australia till September 2020.
Gidi Culture Festival
The Gidi Culture Festival, an annual music and arts festival, which takes place in Lagos, is another major music event affected by the coronavirus crisis.
The event, which was earlier scheduled to hold in April, has been shifted to October 3 and 4 respectively.
“We are sad to announce this, but we are going to have to reschedule #GidiFest2020 to October 3 and 4 2020. If you have purchased tickets for the April dates they will roll over to the new dates,” the organisers wrote on Twitter.
We are sad to announce this, but we are going to have to reschedule #GidiFest2020 to October 3 and 4 2020.
If you have purchased tickets for the April dates they will roll over to the new dates. See Full Statement pic.twitter.com/jkEE6qmV7G
— Gidi Culture Fest (@GidiFest) March 18, 2020
As of the time of filing this report, there are over 220,000 confirmed cases worldwide with at least 8,500 deaths across 176 countries.
Copyright 2024 TheCable. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheCable.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle