President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has praised multi-award-winning music veteran, Koffi Olomide, for bagging the Legend Awards at the 2021 All-Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA).
The President, while hosting Olomide at the official residence at Camp Tshatshi Palace, Kinshasa, on last week, he said that the award was both a significant achievement for not just the singer, but the entire country.
President Tshisekedi, in recognition of the honor bestowed on Olomide by AFRIMA as well as his work, awarded the 65-year-old Soukous singer as the country’s ambassador of culture and presented him with a diplomatic passport.
Olomide also presented his 24-carat gold-plated AFRIMA plaque to the President.
While receiving his diplomatic passport from President Tshisekedi, Olomide promised to maintain a reputation worthy of emulation by African youths.
This appointment would see Olomide, who has been active in the Congolese music industry for over five decades, help boost DRC’s increasing attempts at repositioning its cultural and creative economy.
In December 2021, the Congolese Rumba was officially added to the United Nations Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) heritage list, last December, sparking hope for the country’s cultural progression.
