The Oyo State Government has declared that the late Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister (MFR), created fuji music and commended his ingenuity.
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun said in Ibadan while honouring Barrister with a legendary award at the 2025 World Egungun Festival.
Olatubosun emphasized that “the person we all grew to know as the catalyst that created Fuji music is Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister without any controversy.”
Reacting to the honour, Chairman and Secretary of the Sikiru Ayinde Barrister Musical Festival Forum (BarryFest Event Organiser), Alhaji Laide Olawumi and Agbaakin Ademola Adesigbin appreciated the government’s sense of history and its acknowledgement of the significant role Barrister played in the evolution of the genre that empowered hundreds of youths who are fuji musicians, percussionists, instrumentalists and auxiliary service providers for bands.
“We thank His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde for counting Barrister worthy of the legendary award at such auspicious occasion of the Egungun Festival. We shall continue to recognise the good work the admnistration is doing to reposition Yoruba cultural identity among global ethnic groups. We are also glad that despite the works of the usurpers to undermine the place of Barrister in history, your admnistration sticks to truth.
The group appreciated Alhaja Modinat Asabi and BarryFest members who attended the festival at the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan.
*Published in May 17, 2025 issue.
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