Revered for his uncompromising stance on ethical broadcasting from his early days as a freelance broadcaster through his tenure as President, the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN) till date, Chief Executive Officer of the rave-making Yes FM 101.7 Ibadan, Mr Yemi Sonde, has added his voice to the flaming talk on fuji music and its source.
The Ogun State-born affirmed that late Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, who is widely acknowledged as the origin of that indigenous genre, was a special creature.
His view alligns with an incident on July 25, when the bata Fuji King, General Ayinla Kollington astonished his guests inside the studios of a Lagos-based radio station and declared his respect for Barrister, regardless of their occasional exchanges in his lifetime.
The startled Kollington’s hosts asked him to repeat his words and he said, “Sikiru was a talented musician. I dont feel ashamed by addresing him as my senior.”
Sonde, on his radio programme, asserted that whoever likes or hates the claim notwithstanding, God created Barrister specially among others who make a living through fuji music.
He said, “You may chose to somersault, Barrister was a special creature. Even, you may chose to envy him in his grave. He said it that his fame was not enough and prayed to God to add to it.”
Sonde asserted that being a researcher, who must comb everywhere for facts and more evidence to substantiate his claims on any subject before going on air, he owes his community of listeners the obligation to maintain fairness on issues.
“I make sure I balance my stories to help my listeners making their independent judgement. I do this because I was a thorough bred, a product of late Tajudeen Toba Opaleye. He taught me well and I understood what he taught me,” he said.
Sonde again stressed that Barrister was a God’s favoured man whose fame ranks with that of late American Pop star, Michael Jackson, adding that their class is a rarity among God creatures.
“I’m repeating it without fear of contradiction that Barrister is not one to be disparaged or insulted. If you like or not; if you take it or not, Barrister is a special one. It’s God that created him so; it’s not his efforts. He received God’s mercy.
“Have you forgotten that he said after his exit, he would still remain a subject of discourse. SK Agbaje Barry Wonder asked God for fame and God answered his request. How can you talk about fuji and skip the name of Barrister?, ” he asked rhetorically.
Leave a Reply