Onilu commends the late Fuji icon for leaving behind timeless songs which are now his enduring legacy.
By Kehinde Okeowo
The Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Isa Onilu, has called on indigenous music practitioners in Nigeria to work harder to compose songs that will outlive them.
He gave the advice recently after global fans of the late Fuji music icon, Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, under the auspices of BarryFest, erected and named a monument after the musician, who passed away in London in 2010.
The monument, which sits on the premises of the National Museum of Unity in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, was unveiled on Wednesday amidst encomiums for Barrister from the distinguished personalities who witnessed the ceremony.
Speaking at the occasion, Onilu urged living singers to ensure they register their names in the memories of their fans forever, and commended Barrister for leaving behind timeless songs, which have become his enduring legacy.
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The DG further admonished fans of the late legendary singer to forge ahead in propagating his legacy rather than dissipating their energy on what he described as a “dead issue”.
“If almost 16 years after his departure, Barrister still lives in the minds and bodies of lovers of good, philosophical songs, it is a waste of energy joining issues with any group. They are already exhausted when they realise Barrister is even more influential in death than they had imagined,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, and the Curator and Zonal Director of the museum, Mrs Otuka Pamela Oriyomi, eulogised the late singer.
Meanwhile, the President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Barrister Ajeniyi Ajewole, stated that Ibadan is very proud of Barrister, whose legacy remains evergreen. The Chairman of the Barrister Festival (BarryFest)—the group that funded the monument—Alhaji Olaide Olawumi, described the late musician as a man of destiny.
Guests at the occasion included the representative of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade; a close friend of Barrister, Chief Kola Oyadeji; Ambassador Romoke Ayinde (Karomlee); Barrister’s Media Consultant, Elder Dayo Odeyemi, and several other notable dignitaries.
