NET To Host Dagrin Memorial Lecture

As the first anniversary of the passing of beloved rapper Dagrin approaches, NET Newspapers LTD, publishers of Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET) have announced that they’re instituting a memorial lecture in honour of the rapper who died on Thursday, April 22, 2010.

‘We hereby on behalf of the Administrators of the Estate of the late Mr. Oladapo Olaonipekun (aka Dagrin) commend you for the initiative taken to host a memorial lecture on the late Artiste’, Mrs. Margaret Layode of B. Ayorinde and Co. wrote in a letter to Nigerian Entertainment Today (NET) dated March 24, 2011.

A statement signed by the paper’s Publisher Ayeni Adekunle, says the reason for the memorial lecture, is ‘obvious to us all’.

‘It’s a year already, and we thought it wise that we should all come together to celebrate the young man; while using his life and times as a case study for musicians in Nigeria and the industry as a whole’ says Ayeni.

The memorial lecture will feature speakers from all relevant industries: security and safety; media, health and medicine, governance, entertainment, communication, management and others.

‘We’re working on getting relevant people from the FRSC, Police Force, Nigerian Medical Association, as other bodies; including representatives from the musician’s union as well as the labels, to come educate us all on what we need to know on pertinent health, safety, living, investment and other issues, using the tragic case of Dagrin – which still sends shivers down our spines,  as a case study.’ Ayeni expantiates.

‘It is our desire that our artistes and their minders will find important lessons from this lecture; as well as all those who work within the entertainment industry. How many of us still sit behind our steerings and drive even when we’ve been drinking? How many have all the relevant insurance? What can we do about the hospital policy that makes it impossible for you to get even emergency treatment unless you pay a deposit? Who benefits when you’re dead? What’s the role of the FRSC, state governments, Federal Government, Nigeria Police, PMAN, Record labels, and other institutions in all of these?’.

The Memorial Lecture is scheduled to hold at Protea Hotels, in Ikeja GRA, at a yet-to-be-announced date.
Speakers and facilitators for the inaugural Dagrin Memorial Lecture will be announced in a few weeks.