By Ayo Ojeniyi
We looked into the relationship between Buari Oloto and Ayinla Omowura Eegunmagaji Oosa using Ayinla’s LP VOL 07 (Ire Wole De) as an example where he sang praises of Oloto in 1974.
Undoubtedly, the name Buhari Oloto was an household name in Yoruba Land. Any Yoruba musician of note in the 70’s and 80’s that did not serenade this crooner wasn’t just there.
Of note is the fact that, among all, he was closest to Ayinla Omowura than any. Ayinla Omowura was noted to be the musician among the lot who had, more than any musician of the time, almost all Land merchants that mattered in Lagos and environs as fans. Talk of Ajani Obidairo on Shogunle-Mafiluku-Oshodi axis. Hassan Adejobi at Agege-Dopemu axis. Buhari Oloto at Itire-Ikate-Agura axis that almost all gave him plots of land in appreciation because his serenading them brought more patronage, fame and legitimacy to them.
As one of the pillars among Ayinla’s fans, he was the toast of all the popular musicians because his patronage meant good cash at any social gigs.
However, the one musician who benefitted most from his patronage was Sikiru Ayinde Barrister especially after the untimely demise of Omowura; both having been members of Ayinla Fan Club with SAB as the Club’s Captain – a relationship that grew to become more like of blood relationship that both became so fond of each other doing many things in common which led to a leisure trip by both to the world re-known DISNEY LAND in The US at the return of which SAB did a chart-burster that earned him an honorary doctoral degree due to his analytical dissection of events and happenings at the fun world.
The relationship earned the other what it earned the one – both friendship and enmity. Oloto’s friend was SAB’s friend. SAB’s adversary was Oloto’s adversary. Any of SAB’s enstranged was Oloto’s enstranged. Any enstranged reconcillled to SAB was auto-friend to Oloto!
Oloto abd SAB were friends indeed, but a stronger friendship was cut short with Omowura’s untimely demise.
Alhaji Buari Oloto who ascended the throne as the First Oba of Aguda last September was the Head of the Itire Royal family before becoming the Oba. He was also the Governor General of the Orepeju Social Club.
Aside Ayinde Barrister many notable musicians like Ayinla Omowura, KSA, Dele Abiodun, Salawa Abeni, K1 de Ultimate, Ayinla Kollington, Adewale Ayuba and many more waxed albums in his honour. He was a popular omo Onile ni Itire.
Baba rest in peace, he was a hard and tough man.
May the soul of the trio receive compassionate repose from their Creator.
Transcript and translation by Eng Akinlawon Akintunde , enjoy !!!
Ele: Ha! Awun’ni bi ko jẹ ara-ile ẹni, o wun mi o ju fadaka lọ o; Buhari Ọlọtọ ọmọ jayejaye.
Egbe: Buhari ooo! Idile owo diran fun ẹ, ọmọ Alhaja to nrowo na.
Egbe: Buhari ọkọ Abẹni o, ọkọ Tawakalitu, oyinbo onilẹ to ngbe Tinubu.
Ele: Ka lowo lọwọ ko le dabi ka mọọ na o!
Egbe: Bugari Ọlọtọ, Oluwa Ọba lo fi ran ẹ.
Ele: …ko le dabi ka mọọ na!
Egbe: Buhari Ọlọtọ Oluwa Ọba lo fi ran ẹ.
Ele: Kii ṣe eniyan.
Egbe: Ọmọ Alihaja Balogun. Ọrẹ Ajagbe Wahabi ati Kudira iya Kudira; Kudi onibia ni Itirẹ o. Jayejeye o ni tawọnaaa.
MEANING:
Lead: Wow! Desiring Him and wishing he is one’s relative. I desire him more than silver; Buhari Oloto a rare socialite.
Chorus: Buhari I hail you! Wealth has become synonymous to your lineage, the son of Alhaja who’s got enough to spend.
Lead: Buhari husband of Abeni, Tawakalitu’s husband. The land merchant who resides at Tinubu.
Chorus: I hail you Buhari, wealth has become synonymous to your lineage, the son of Alhaja who’s got enough to spend.
Lead: Being rich can’t same as being dexterous with spending it.
Chorus: Buhari Oloto, you are God-sent with it.
Lead: … can’t be as being dexterous with spending it!
Chorus: Buhari Oloto, you are God-sent with it!
Lead: Not by man.
Chorus: Son of Alhaja Balogun. Friend of Ajagbe and Kudurat mother of Kudirat; Kudi the beer merchant at Itire. May you socialites not become indigent.
- Culled from Oyeniyi’s Timeline