Some Reggae enthusiasts and fans of Bob Marley in Benin City have called on the United Nations to officially recognize and adopt May 11 as World Bob Marley Day in Commemoration of the life, music, and message of the reggae icon.
They made the call ahead of this year’s celebration of Bob Marley Day, to have a uniform celebration of the reggae legend as some countries have adopted February 6 to observe the day.
Considered arguably as the most popular reggae artiste in the world, and one of the pioneers of the music genre, Robert Nesta Marley, popularly known as Bob Marley, was highly revered for his social conscience, spiritual mysticism, and political courage.
Bob Marley’s contribution to reggae music cannot be overstated, as it increased the visibility of Jamaican music globally, and his message continues to inspire disenfranchised communities by offering them a promise of worldly salvation and divine redemption.
Forty four years after his untimely demise, the message of peace, love and unity which is the hallmark of his songs, has continued to reverberate across the globe especially at a time of bilateral conflicts in some parts of the world.
The Chairman, Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Edo state Council, Comrade Festus Alenkhe, described Bob Marley as an icon that put the black race on the global map through his music, and as such should be celebrated by not just Jamaicans.
Comrade Alenkhe therefore called on the United Nations to officially recognize May 11 as World Bob Marley Day to honour the reggae icon.
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Edo state Governor of Performing Musicians Employers Association of Nigeria, PMAN, Comrade Willy Eghenova explained that Bob Marley’s style of music was in tune with the propagation of the cultural heritage of Edo people, as such Edo people hold him in high esteem, and always looked forward to May 11 to celebrate the legend.
Some Reggae artistes who also called for uniformed celebration of Bob Marley Day, described him as an enigma.
Some Reggae enthusiasts also shared their thoughts with Radio Nigeria on the personality of Bob marley and what his music meant to them.
Born on February 6, 1945 in Nine Mile, Jamaica, Bob Marley began his career in 1963, after forming the group Teenagers with Peter Tosh and Bunny Wailer, which became the Wailers.
The Rastafarian icon died on May 11, 1981 in Miami, Florida, United States of America, at the age of thirty six.
