Late Sofowote lives on through Glowing Channels Foundation

With the passing away of the founder/chief executive facilitator of Glowing Channels Foundation (GCF), Motunlayo Adefunke Sofowote, the organization could not stage its annual concert last year, the first time in its 17 years of existence. But GCF appears to have woken up from its slumber, with its recent outing in memory of its departed founder. The late music and arts impresario, Motunlayo Adefunke Sofowote, must have been pleased to see one of her last wishes being fulfilled. One year after shepassed away in Spain, after battling with cervical cancer for almost three years, GCF has moved on, by staging a special concert on October 1st at the Main Auditorium, University of Lagos, in line with her wish that the show should go on after her demise. As in previous years, an array of established and budding talents thrilled the patrons of the concert with music and dance performances, as well as poetry recitals. Though the attendance was poor, compared to previous concerts, the audience was delighted by performances put up by composer, singer and soloist Yinka Davies; singer, composer and pianist Femi Ogunronbi; and Abuja-based mechanical engineer, mathematician and shipbuilder, Meche Ekechukwu, who entertained them with Italian classical and English contemporary music. Others who performed are Johnpaul Ochei, Ibukun Kafaru, Seye Aluko, Roli Afinotan, Kelechi Sunday Nwuko, Fatima Anyekenam, Iquo Diana Abasi, Cella Fusi, Jojo, Notes and Tones, Footprints of David, and the Ibadi Dance Troupe. The audience cheered, as artist after artist, and group after group appeared on stage to entertain them. It was, generally, an evening of classical, choral, hymnal, instrumental and highlife music, spiced with poetry recitals. In his brief remarks, the chairman of this year’s show, Olusegun Ajanlekoko, showered some praises on members of the foundation for not only continuing the legacy of the late Sofowote, but also for putting up a good show. Ajanlekoko, who is also the Managing Partner of CEP Nigeria Ltd and immediate past president of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN), said the concert is not only an occasion to remember the noble deeds of the late Sofowote, but to swing in it. The organizers however believe that their best is yet to come. A member of GCF’s Board of Trustees, Akin Orebiyi, said the number of groups and persons featuring on the show would be reduced in subsequent years, to cut down on time and provide more fun and entertainment. He added: “We’re going to concentrate on the variety and quality of what we feature, not the number of artists we’re able to showcase. From next year, we’re going to flesh it up with one or two drama pieces and we will also make sure that we concentrate on the type of music that would lift peoples’ spirits, so that they would be bubbling with joy as they are leaving the show.” The late Sofowote inaugurated GCF late in 2009 to ensure that the yearly charity concert organized by her since 1999 under the aegis of Glowing Channels Ventures outlives her. This was at a time she had no idea she was going to take ill. According to Orebiyi, she just felt that it was more proper to put a system in place that could continue even when is not around. But the foundation could not get its act together that year and she had to step in to rescue the show not only in 2009, but 2010, 2012 and 2013. He said it was only after her death last year that it dawned on them that this is an assignment or a duty that has been bequeathed to them. Orebiyi said they also recognized that there is nothing loftier for any human being who has been bequeathed with a lofty legacy to continue in that tradition and even raise the bar in that respect. “That’s why we came together this year to see what we can do. She died on Thursday, September 18th, 2014 and was buried on October 2nd, 2014 in Lubeck, Germany. We could have had a concert last year, but because of the little time we had between October and December, it was not possible. So, this year, we felt we should do it in October to coincide with the first anniversary of her funeral.” Orebiyi, who studied drama, with a specialization in play production and play directing, said the foundation is facing a number of challenges with regards to the organization of the concert. His words: “First of all, Mrs. Sofowote has developed the concert into a brand. A brand woven specifically around her personality and individuality. Therefore it was a challenge for us to be able to reach out to people in her absence. People doubted whether we can continue the show in her absence. “In fact, people still find it difficult to come to terms with her departure and to picture a Glowing Channels concert without Funke Sofowote on stage. It still hasn’t jelled yet. So, we have that challenge when we try to reach out to people. We could still see some kind of reticence. This affected the attendance this year. In subsequent years, apart from those who have been attending the concert over the years, we hope to attract new faces to the show.” This has also affected its charity projects for the year 2016. Glowing Channels' charity projects are financed primarily from the gate-takings, as well as the proceeds from sale of raffle tickets. But, there was no raffle draw during the last concert. As a result, Orebiyi said charity projects might not feature next year. But, he is optimistic that things will pick up in the second year of running the show under the aegis of the foundation. Sofowote took ill towards the end of 2011, when she was preparing for the annual charity concert. She was initially treated at the EKO Hospital, Lagos, and she managed to continue with her show that year and the subsequent year. But, in May 2013, the cancer relapsed and she was taken to Germany and later Spain for further treatment. Orebiyi said it is quite impossible to enumerate all the legacies left behind by the late Sofowote, but he added that the Glowing Channels Charity Concert embodies some of the qualities she actually possessed. “To have run the show for 15 years, almost singlehandedly, is a remarkable achievement and it is an indication of the talents she possessed. I can’t find the words to capture all the legacies Mrs. Sofowote has left behind, because I’m very certain she touched people in many ways,” he said. The late Sofowote was no doubt a woman of many parts. Among other things, she was a writer, singer, a dedicated amateur photographer, administrator, organizer, a trainer in corporate practice and etiquette, an impresario, motivational speaker and the founder/president of Glowing Channels’ Foundation. The foundation is a non-profit organization that has been giving in various ways in the past 17 years, particularly by providing succour to the less privileged in society.