On Tuesday 24th September, 2024 a man who has been an outstanding force in the music scene – Mr. Victor Essiet, popularly known as THE MANDATORS, paid a courtesy call on Dr. Effiong Joseph Udo, the International President of TPADI, at the Institute’s headquarters, University of Uyo, Nigeria. The Mandators has long been one of Nigeria’s best reggae stars. His music has served as inspiration to many people in Africa and around the world.
“In 1979 – the Mandators’ first album, “Sunrise.” was released. Three years later, they released “Imagination,” an album for which he toured, with then unknown guitarist named Majek Fashek. After a three year hiatus, the Mandators released “Crisis,” which swept the country like wildfire. Released on Polygram/Nigeria label, it was one of the first big commercial hits for African Reggae in Nigeria. Following “Crisis,” the Mandators recorded three more records: “Rat Race,” “Rebel” and “Storm.” It is the highlights from these three albums that comprised their first American release in 1994 (Heartbeat Records), “Power of the People: Nigerian Reggae,” which was followed by “Crucial” in 1998 (Mystic Records) the group’s first American produced CD and the second U.S. release”.
Mr. Victor Essiet narrated the story of his life which is from grass to grace. The name “Mandators” has its origin in the days of Victor’s youth. He explains that the name came to him when he was just a boy, through divine inspiration. “I didn’t understand what it meant at the time. But now I know that Jah was mandating love and justice through music”. In his words, “Music is a tool to reach my own community and the world at large. Music to me is home, solace, and freedom. It is comfort and faith in the most high”. He added that people who are supposed lead and make our society better prefer to be selfish, thinking more about themselves instead of us.
The President of the institute, Dr. Effiong Joseph Udo regretted the widespread identity crisis among many Africans today. This manifests in the manner people are ashamed of their culture, adding that “we should be proud of our identity because we can never change our identity as Africans no matter how much we try”. He posited that “we cannot be more English than the English people”. The President commended Mr. Victor Essiet for being proud of his culture, and his black colour, and using his songs a tool for the promotion of social justice, equality and good governance in Africa and beyond. He recalled that The Mandators songs contributed to the overthrow of the apartheid regime in South Africa, and resistance of racial discrimination in the world.
He announced the nomination of THE MANDATORS as the institute’s Pan- African ambassador, and mandated the administrative arm of the institute to organize a research team to work to include Victor Essiet in the proposed book that will document major Pan-Africanists in Nigeria. President Udo praised the Mandators for using his musical profession in the propagation of Pan-Africanism. He called on everyone to promote movement in music, arts, science, technology, law, religion, and all areas of life. The President congratulated The Mandators for the recent global recognition and award given to him by the United Nations agency, and admonished him to continue his good works by using his music to touch the life people positively.
Present at the event were The Mandators managers, officials of TPADI based in the institute’s headquarters, media professionals of Akwa Ibom State Broadcasting Corporation, and TPADI media team.
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