Lazah Current calls for a Marcus Garvey Month

Reggae singer Lazah Current is calling on the government of Jamaica to declare August Marcus Garvey Month, in honour of the nation's first national hero, Marcus Garvey.

"Marcus Garvey, one of the greatest men the world has ever seen, was born and raised in Jamaica. The work that he did to uplift and empower black people in the Caribbean, North America, England, Africa and other parts of the world is legendary. Although the country has bestowed many honours on him, including the Order of National Hero, I think a lot more should be done to honour the memory and the works of this great man," said the artiste.

"The government of Jamaica should declare the entire month of August Marcus Garvey Month and make his birthday, August 17, a national holiday. The capital of St Ann, the parish of his birth, should also be renamed in his honour. Is this too much to ask for a man who dedicated his entire life to the upliftment of black people?" asked Lazah Current.

The Jamaica-born singer, who lives in Canada, recently performed on an online tribute event for Garvey. The event was organised by the pan-African organisation known as the State of The African Diaspora.

"It was a wonderful experience to join such a great line-up of speakers and artistes, including Dr Julius Garvey, Dr Louis-Georges Tin (anti-racist activist), Dr Raphael Ajalie (businessman and humanitarian) ... to celebrate the life and works of Marcus Garvey on his birthday," said Lazah Current.

He recently visited the island to promote his single Power To The People, featuring Luciano.

"I had a great time in Jamaica promoting this song. I was warmly received at all the media houses that I visited. I also performed at events, the Porus Homecoming in Manchester and the Mama Africa Unite Festival in Bath, St Thomas," he said.