Lapiro De Mbanga. Plans to Organize New Memorial Concert to Fund Musical Foundation

Following last minute change in venue last Friday May 2 2014 and disagreements between some of the organizers, plans are now underway to host another event during which the life, times and music of Lambo Pierre Sandjo Roger (aka Lapiro) will be celebrated in Washington DC. A similar event in Paris France on the same day also had functional problems and some of the named musicians who were expected to turn up including Manu Dibango and Tala Andre Marie failed to attend the music concert. Family members of Lapiro’s extended family apparenly, did not involve close musical friends of “Ndinga Man” in organizing he memorial concert. Lapiro, one of the best known protest singers in Cameroon died in Buffalo, New York on March 16 2014 after a long battle with cancer. He was 56.

Pa Ngwa, Edwan Fon and Jacob Nguni on stage

“It will have been irresponsible and inconsiderate to people who had booked flights, paid for hotel rooms and travelled from long distances only to have the event cancelled at the last minute”, Jacob Nguni, one of the organizers told Iroko Magazine. He said he knew a week earlier that there were problems with the programmed venue the Buena Vista Banquet Hall and assurances from the Cameroonian owner of the location that the problem will be resolved in time could have convinced some members of the ACCDF not to postpone the concert. When it became evident a day before the event that Buena Vista did not respect fire department standards, it was too late to cancel the event so he hurriedly made arrangements for an alternate venue, the Crystal Restaurant and Lounge Club.

Lapiro’s wife Louisette Noukeu ( and children) finally did not attend the concert but is in talks now with the ACCDF and Jacob Nguni to organize a new event to celebrate the life of “Ndinga Man”.  Mr Nguni said the rescheduled concert will take place as soon as details are finalized. He thanked all those who turned up for the May 2 2014 event despite the organizational problems and the musicians who played on the night for their devotion to the memory of Lapiro.

Lapiro De Mbanga. RIP

Despite the last minute change of venue, the 450 capacity Crystal hall was still full to capacity and some ACCDF members including Christmas Ebini, Kenneth Fru Ndeh, Dr Emile Mondoa and Mafor Edwan attended the concert. Mafor Edwan mceed the concert

Some of the musicians who performed on the night included Zaina Aristides, Armand Ntep, Adele Clarice, Black Bukan and a host of other musicians.

Because Lapiro’s widow and children were not present, plans to use the event to fund raise to support them and open a Lapiro Forever Foundation were shelved. Mr Nguni said some benefactors had already said they were ready to sign checks to support the foundation anytime another event to celebrate the life of  Lapiro aka Ndinga Man is organized.