---
title: HR 177. Adekola, Richard Olorunrokan, "King Rokan"; condolences
collection: bills
id: 2025-2026/hr177
cite_as: HR 177, 2025-2026 Regular Session (Ga.)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr177
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr177.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr177/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69989
date: 2025-02-05
status: passed
corpus_version: bills-2026-09-13
license: Public record of the Georgia General Assembly, via LegiScan; see about.md
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
up: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026.md
previous: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr176.md
next: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr178.md
index: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/index.md
omitted: votes and history
omitted_chars: 131
omitted_url: https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr177.md?full=1
bill_number: HR 177
session: 2025-2026 Regular Session
session_slug: 2025-2026
chamber: House
bill_type: resolution
status_date: 2025-02-05
last_action: House Read and Adopted
sponsors:
  - Segun Adeyina
  - Solomon Adesanya
  - Phil Olaleye
  - Gabe Okoye
  - El-Mahdi Holly
text_version: Introduced
has_text: true
legiscan_url: https://legiscan.com/GA/bill/HR177/2025
upstream_id: 1958400
summaries_model: claude-sonnet-5
topic_tags:
  - condolence resolution
  - Nigerian American community
  - Georgia House of Representatives
  - musician tribute
---

# HR 177. Adekola, Richard Olorunrokan, "King Rokan"; condolences

## Text

House Resolution 177
By: Representatives Adeyina of the 110th, Adesanya of the 43rd, Olaleye of the 59th, Okoye
of the 102nd, and Holly of the 116th
A RESOLUTION
Honoring the life and memory of Richard Olorunrokan Adekola, "King Rokan"; and for
other purposes.
WHEREAS, Richard Olorunrokan Adekola, affectionately known as King Rokan, was an
esteemed member of the Nigerian American and African diaspora community in Georgia as
well as a beacon of cultural excellence whose influence transcended borders; and
WHEREAS, King Rokan's unparalleled talent as a musician, songwriter, and performer
enriched the lives of countless individuals; and
WHEREAS, through his art, he celebrated the beauty of African heritage, shared messages
of hope and unity, and inspired pride in cultural identity; and
WHEREAS, King Rokan performed at significant global events such as the opening
ceremony of the 1996 Olympics and Black History Month celebrations, showcasing his
exceptional talent on some of the world's most prominent stages; and
WHEREAS, he also had the rare honor of entertaining three presidents: President Bill
Clinton at the White House in 1993 with Bolu and the Roots of African Percussion, former
Nigerian President General Abdulsalami Abubakar in Washington, D.C., and former
Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo in Ohio; and
WHEREAS, beyond his artistic brilliance, King Rokan was a dedicated community leader
who worked tirelessly to uplift and unite his people; he served as a mentor to young artists,
an advocate for cultural preservation, and a source of strength and encouragement to many;
and
WHEREAS, King Rokan's legacy is marked by his unwavering commitment to the
betterment of his community and his enduring contributions to the cultural fabric of Georgia,
earning him respect, admiration, and affection from all who had the privilege of knowing
him; and
WHEREAS, the passing of King Rokan has left an indelible void in the hearts of his family,
friends, and the broader community; nevertheless, his life and work will continue to inspire
and guide future generations.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that
the members of this body join in honoring the life and memory of Richard Olorunrokan
Adekola, "King Rokan," as well as his contributions to music, culture, and community and
express their deepest and most sincere regret at his passing.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the
family of Richard Olorunrokan Adekola, "King Rokan."

## Summaries written by Georgia Commons

The following was written by claude-sonnet-5 from the text above and is not part of the resolution. Quote the text, not the summary.

A Georgia House resolution honors the life and memory of Richard Olorunrokan Adekola, known as King Rokan, a Nigerian American musician and community leader who lived in Georgia.

### Plain-language summary

This resolution from the Georgia House of Representatives is a ceremonial tribute rather than a change to state law. It recognizes Richard Olorunrokan Adekola, known as King Rokan, a musician, songwriter, and performer within the Nigerian American and African diaspora community in Georgia.
The resolution recounts his career, including performing at the 1996 Olympics opening ceremony and Black History Month events, and entertaining three heads of state: President Bill Clinton, former Nigerian President General Abdulsalami Abubakar, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. It also credits him with mentoring young artists and advocating for cultural preservation. The House formally expresses regret at his passing and directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send a copy of the resolution to his family.

### What it does

- Formally honors the life and memory of Richard Olorunrokan Adekola, known as King Rokan, on behalf of the Georgia House of Representatives.
- Recites his career as a musician, songwriter, and performer and his role as a community leader and mentor to young artists.
- Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and send a copy of the resolution to his family.
- Creates no new law, funding, or penalty; it is a symbolic expression of the House's regret at his passing.

### Who it affects

The resolution directly names the family of Richard Olorunrokan Adekola and, more broadly, the Nigerian American and African diaspora community in Georgia that the text says he served and represented.

### Why it matters

The resolution has no legal or regulatory effect on Georgians generally. Its practical significance is limited to the public, official record it creates honoring a specific individual and the copy the Clerk of the House sends to his family.

### Key provisions

- The resolving clause states the House joins in honoring Adekola's life, memory, and contributions to music, culture, and community.
- A further resolved clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a copy of the resolution available for distribution to his family.

## Status

- Status: Passed (2025-02-05)
- Last action: House Read and Adopted (2025-02-05)
- Sponsors: Segun Adeyina, Solomon Adesanya, Phil Olaleye, Gabe Okoye, El-Mahdi Holly
- Official page: https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/69989

> The history, votes, and amendments (131 characters) are at https://georgiacommons.org/bills/2025-2026/hr177.md?full=1