Bakare stated this on Tuesday in Lagos during a visit to the Chairman of Evergreen Musical Company, Femi Esho, Africa’s largest collector of Highlife music.

“My love for music and dance is not quantifiable, I started my romance with the art at the age of 17 when I premiered in late Hubert Ogunde’s play “Aropin N Teniyan.”

“Our country has a lot of tourism potential and music is an integral part of our cultural life, therefore the onus lies on all of us to promote and preserve our heritage,”

Bakare was quoted as saying in a statement issued by Esho.

Bakare lauded Esho’s selfless service in the preservation and promotion of Nigerian music and promised that Ekiti government would continue to collaborate with Evergreen Musical Company.

He said that the nation was endowed with lots of historical assets and tourism potential, with music serving as an integral part of Nigerians’ cultural life.

In his response, Esho thanked Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti for supporting the 60 years on stage celebration of Nigeria’s Doyen of Highlife music, late Victor Olaiya.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bakare is Nigeria’s first Professor of Choreography and Performing Aesthetics and a former Dean of Postgraduate School, Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.

(NAN)