History was made on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, as the government of Lagos, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, the Mayegun of Yorubaland and the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria, Fuji Opera and others came together to stage the first colloquium in honour of the late Fuji Music creator, Alhaji Ayinde Sikiru Ololade Balogun popularly known as Barrister.
It is the first time in the history of
the world that a colloquium would be held in honour of a musician and no one
would deserve it more than a man whose footprint has opened doors for a lot of people born many years after him.
10 years after his death, K1 De Ultimate led a team of others
to organize a memorable celebration for the late Icon. It wasn’t just a
celebration; it was another way of charting a course for the Fuji music
industry. A few conclusions were made on high to continue putting the
footprints of Fuji on the world map.
City People’s team of DAMILARE SALAMI 08155134152, SUNDAY ADIGUN and ABDULRASHEED SANNI were at the event and in this report, they bring you all the full details of what went down there, enjoy.
Radisson
Blu Hosts Event
The history-making event was held at the popular Radisson Blu hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. Let’s be the first
to inform you that the venue suddenly became a tourist centre as celebrity men
and women, top entertainers and lovers of entertainment trooped into the venue
in their numbers. As a matter of fact, there were many people standing even
after the seats had been completely filled.
Gbenga
Adeyinka Anchors event
An event of such a magnitude requires the service of a top-notch
professional and veteran compere and not many can fall into that category but
popular comedian and MC, Gbenga
Adeyinka the first does. His experience and professionalism came to
the fore when legendary musicians and celebrity men and women began to troop
into the auditorium. He not only recognised them, but he also had something very personal
to say about every one of them.
K1
Declares Event Open
The event was declared open by the Mayegun of Yorubaland and the King of Fuji music, King
Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, K1
De Ultimate. During his speech, he revealed why he and other members
of the planning committee took so long to come up with a colloquium for this
legend and why it would become a yearly activity. He also revealed that his
music was full of crusades such as preaching morals, political firmness,
religiosity and many more. He concluded that Barrister was a truly Fuji commandant who advocated
smaller and manageable family sizes.
9ice
Takes Energetic Performance
The event was well lit by the performance of Naija’s top hip-hop
act, Adigun Alapomeji popularly
known as 9ice. He took
the people from the past to the present of the Nigerian entertainment industry
with his classical fuji performance. 9ice
in his usual tradition carried the audience along. Though short, the
performance was quite impactful.
Meet
The Wives of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister
Alhaji Ayinde Sikiru Ololade Balogun popularly known as Barrister
was a lady’s man during his heydays. He was married to six wives and
they are all blessed with children. Mrs
Aderayo Balogun, Yetunde Balogun, Omokehinde Balogun, Yemisi
Balogun, Yinka Balogun and Temilola Balogun (Wives of Agbaakin Sikiru Ayinde Barrister). They were all present at
the event.
Alhaji
Kollinton Ayinla Came Through
During his lifetime, Barrister
and Kollinton were
two rivals who had their differences especially because they were both seen as
the best of the best when it comes to Fuji music. However, that was in the
past. Kollinton Ayinla,
popularly known as Kebe Kwara was
among the living legends that came to pay homage to the departed creator of Fuji music during the first
colloquium organized in his honour. The fashionista Fuji maestro though old is
still not tired. He was gorgeously dressed in a royal blue outfits and stood out
among the top celebrities at the event.
Prof
Jelil Ojuade Takes Keynote Address
There are so many things the late Barrister created and many might
have forgotten about them. One of them was the introduction of the piano
instrument to Fuji music.
This and many more were some of the historic highlights that came to the fore
while Professor Jelili Ojuade was
taking his keynote address. He also revealed how culturally balanced Barrister was by stating the fact
that he had over 25 chieftaincy
titles across Nigeria.
In conclusion, Prof
Ojuade admonished the Lagos
and Oyo State governments
to build a fuji centre in honour of the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister as a way of immortalizing the hero of
all times.
Top
Fuji Musicians Perform Barristers Songs
Popular Fuji musician, Sula
Alao Malaika is a household name in the fuji music industry. He was one
of the top performers at the event. He performed the late Barrister’s evergreen track, Bisimilahi. Popularly known as the
Keblah of Fuji thrilled
within minutes and just as he was dropping, Sule Adio Atawewe also took over with another of Barrister’s hit tracks. Just as
everyone thought that it was all over, Remi Aluko dropped another banger from
the late fuji king. One would wonder if this was a concert in honour of the
Fuji king.
At the tail end of the event, Pasuma Wonder, Taye Currency and Alhaji Merenge also mounted the stage to deliver their
favourite tracks from the late Barrister’s albums. It was indeed a Barrister Fuji concert.
Gbenga
Adeyinka Too?
Gbenga Adeyinka is many things in the entertainment industry but not a singer,
many people have retorted. But at the event, he proved everyone wrongly. He
just like other fuji musicians mounted the podium to deliver two of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister’s tracks
and in appreciation, he received a loud applaud and standing ovation from the
cheering crowd.
Barrister’s
Friend, Evang. Ebenezer Obey Was Here
Not many would remember that the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and Evangelist Ebenezer Obey were best of friends. As a matter of
fact, during the burial ceremony of Evangelist
Obey’s father, Barrister was
the musician that performed. Baba
Obey came to honour his friend even in death. He was at the event
with one of his sons and he rightly delivered a touching eulogy for his
departed friend and colleague.
Commissioner
For Tourism, Arts & Culture, Pharm Uzamat Akibile-Yusuf Speaks
The Commissioner for
Tourism, Arts and
Culture, Phar, Uzamat Akibile-Yusuff who represented the state
government spoke at the event. She revealed that Lagos has seen entertainment
as one of the pillars for building a stronger society. She stated that the
government believes in fuji music and that is why it has a strong
representation at the event.
She further pledged that the government of Gov Babajide Sanwo-Olu shall
continue to support the entertainment industry at large and the Fuji Music Association of Nigeria (FUMAN)
as an entity.
Dr
Muiz Banire SAN Speaks
Talking about the present and future of Fuji music in Nigeria, Dr Muiz Banire (SAN),
revealed that Barrister has
set a precedence that only a few can match. He revealed that he learnt
everything he knows Islamically from the music of the later Barrister. He encouraged the
presenting and future Fuji musicians to emulate Barrister in promoting our moral values and culture as a
nation.
Panel
Discussants Were On Point
Popular journalist, Mayor
Akinpelu, a two-time commissioner in Lagos State, Mr Steve Ayorinde, Popular Fuji musician Pasuma Wonder and Taye Currency as well as Miss Nkechi Obidi were the members
of the panel who discussed the past, present and future of the fuji music. The
moderator was Miss Romoke Lawal and
she drilled the panel. It was concluded that the future of entertainment in Nigeria is Fuji because it has evolved over
time to become acceptable by all but then, Fuji artistes must produce fuji
songs that would appeal to the younger generation.
Barry
Jhay Performs Ayeole Track
Popular Hip-Hop act,
Barry Jhay is the son of
the late Fuji creator.
Not a lot of people can link them together but he has a striking resemblance to
his late father. He was one of the artistes that performed at the event. He
performed his hottest track, Aye O
le.
Isolo
LCDA Chairman, Hon Bayo Olasoji Thanks Guests
Hon Bayo Olasoji, Chairman, Isolo LCDA took the vote of thanks. He is particularly concerned because the
late Barrister’s house and Fuji chamber is situated in his constituency. He
appreciated everyone present and noted that the colloquium shall continue to
hold annually to mark the posthumous birthday of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.
Roll
Call
Hon Mauruf Akindero, Hon Oladotun
Olakanni Chairman Onogbongbo LCDA, Hon Sabour Adewale Omiti, Adisa of Osi Offa,
Mayor Akinpelu, Hon Bayo Olasoju, Otunba Sesan Rufai (Goldmyne media), Alhaji
Sikiru Ayinde Agboola, Popular Filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, Taiwo Hassan, Ogogo,
Abbey Lanre, Hon Jude Idumogu Member, Lagos House of Assembly, Afusat Sodiq,
Princess Uzamat Akewu-Yusuff, Kemi Korede, Hon Steve Eleniyan Ayorinde, Alhaji
Love Azeez Agege, Ramoni Kanni, Bashorun Adisa Onifade Alhaji Muyideen Kamnaza,
Chief Teddy, Moshood Ayinde Tadiko.
Others are Nollywood actor, Muka Ray, Sanni Alli, Alahaji Wasiu Sodiq, Tosin Eniba, Barry Jhay, FUMAN President, Alhaji Ayoinde Merege, Sulaimon Atawewe, Remi Aluko, 9ice, Pa Iyanda Sawagba, Fuji Sandoka, MD Fuji Radio, Alhaji Marubo and many more.
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