of the auditorium where she sat next to his Holiness Abuna Paulos of the Ethiopia Taewhedo Orthodox Church during various performances lauding the reggae icon.

She was heard to say: “nobody told me about this…how could they keep this a surprise.”

However, on receiving the official document declaring her permanent guest of the ancient city, Mrs. Marley said, “I am greatly honored to receive this award and know that this brother Bob’s dream come true.”

Through an afternoon marked by a youth parade for peace of African children, statements from the grandson of HIM Haile Selassie I, performances by the Burundi Drummers, Drummers of Rastafari, duet from Bob Marley’s mother Cedella Booker and sister Pearl Livingston, and two emotionally-fueled renditions from the Florida A&M University Choir, the event kicked off what is expected to be a culturally enriching celebration.

“We are calling on all the children of Africa to unite and let it be one continent,” the honorary citizen of Africa said.

She continued to explain that on Sunday, the official date of Marley’s birth, “I will sing my heart out for all of you.”

At the end of the formal presentations, Dr. Desta Meghoo-Peddie introduced a second surprise to the only legitimate wife of Bob Marley.

“Mrs. Marley, I know you probably will wonder how we got this done, but we wanted it to be special, just for you,” the director of the Bob Marley Foundation said.

With that statement, a video screen became the focus for what turned out to be a statement from Bob Marley deciding where he would like to rest in peace.

“I would really like to be near my father,” Marley stated in what looked to be an interview.

His referenced father was HIM Haile Selassie I who now rests in Ethiopia.

A tumultuous applause broke the silence of the screening.

Undeniably, the film gave credence to statements made by Mrs. Marley that were regarded as controversial.