Afrobeats star Rema is set to electrify Benin City with his first-ever homecoming concert at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, marking a significant moment in the entertainment history of Edo State.
This highly anticipated event follows an earlier attempt by Governor Godwin Obaseki to host Rema in December 2023, which was canceled due to health concerns.
The “Calm Down” singer expressed excitement and gratitude for the warm welcome he received upon his arrival in Edo a few days ago, ahead of the concert.
His words:
“I am happy to be here. I thank Edo people for their prayers and support. I am proud of the State, especially the growth recorded so far. I am proud of the togetherness, passion and zeal to make it greater.”
In the lead-up to the concert, Rema participated in the groundbreaking ceremony of Edo Arena alongside Governor Obaseki. The new arena, which will be named “Rema’s Dome,” is located at the former Garrick Memorial School Ground in Benin City.
The ceremony was also attended by prominent figures, including the PDP governorship candidate Dr. Asue Ighodalo and the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Diaspora Affairs, Uyi Oduwa Malaka.
Rema expressed deep appreciation for the people of Edo State, thanking them for their unwavering support and acknowledging the significant progress made in the state under Governor Obaseki’s leadership.
He highlighted the unity, passion, and ambition of the Edo people, stating that he is proud of the state’s development and is committed to contributing to its continued growth.
The artist also praised Governor Obaseki’s bold reforms and projects, particularly those aimed at empowering the youth. Rema emphasized his readiness to support initiatives that inspire and motivate the younger generation, seeing the Edo Arena project as a blessing that he is determined to see through to completion. He reiterated his pride in the state and his dedication to its future success.
He said:
“I am proud of the youths and ready to take part in anything that will give a drive to the youths, strengthen and motivate them. This is a blessing and I will see to it that this project is finished well.”
“In the course of our planning, we realized that Edo has a unique advantage. They don’t call us the heartbeat of Nigeria for nothing. Edo enjoys tremendous traffic as most Nigerians move through Edo State and we noticed that it’s a huge economic advantage for us. We have the capacity to host national events and attract all Nigerians here. We made strategic plans as we began to sell our culture and position ourselves to attract more people to our State”.
Governor Obaseki, in turn, elaborated on the strategic importance of Edo State, describing it as the “heartbeat of Nigeria” due to its central location and significant traffic flow. He noted that the new arena will enhance the state’s capacity to host national events and attract visitors, thereby boosting the local economy.
Once completed, Rema’s Dome is expected to be a versatile venue for concerts, conferences, symposiums, and other large-scale gatherings, further positioning Edo as a cultural and economic hub.
