Published By Seyi Babalola
In large numbers and get across the globe, fans of the late Fuji musician, Dr Sikiru Ayinde Balogun (Barrister), were gathered at the Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, Ibadan, where they hosted what they called Barrister Festival (BarryFest) and celebrated the life and time of Barrister, who passed away on December 16, 2010 in UK after some months of sickness.
The fete was a three-day event, starting with unveiling of the fuji music Hall of Fame at the Fuji Chamber residence of Barrister in Isolo, Lagos, visits to underprivileged homes, Gala night and the musical carnival which also featured presentation of awards to some deserving fuji musicians, including General Kollington Ayinla and K1, both of whom did not attend the occasion.
The turnout at the grand finale yesterday was stirring as hundreds of fans clad in a uniform Ankara fabrics matched with green caps and gele, which dominated the venue of the occasion attended by old generation of fuji musicians, particularly Alhaji Love Azeez, Alhaji Waheed Akangbe, Alhaji Mikky Adisa and others.
Wife of Oyo State Deputy Governor, Professor Bolanle Olaniyan, Special Adviser to Oyo State Governor on Culture and Tourism, Honourable Ademola Ige, the Ekefa Olubadan of Ibadan, Oloye Lekan Alabi, wife of the late Ibadan Politician, Alhaja Bose Adedibu, President, Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN), Alhaji SK Sensation were among distinguished guests that graced the carnival where fuji musicians led by Alhaji Rasheed Ayinde, one after the other, mounted stage and sang the praise of Barrister in bright tones.
Oloye Lekan Alabi, extolled the virtue of Barrister as a legendary musician whose body of musical works would continue to be relevant, charging living musicians to up their acts in order to also record evergreen works like Barrister.
Music, Alabi, said, was beyond rushing to studio to arrange some lyrics of no value, clarifying that creativity, consistency and persistence in face of lull separated an evergreen musician from the average, whose songs make a little impact in their fans.
Also speaking, Director of Main Frame Productions, Mr Tunde Kelani, also attested to ingenuity of Barrister and announced to the audience his preparation to produce a movie to be titled Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, having successfully produced Ayinla Omowura in 2020.
Kelani said that Barrister deserved to be so immortalized because of his numerous works which, according to him, still set pace for living fuji musicians in the market, assuring that his decision to do Barrister film was irreversible.
Secretary of the organizing committee, Asiwaju Ademola Adesingbin, was presented with a special award in recognition of what is called his selfless service to build-up towards the success of BarryFest 2022. Chairman of the committee, Mr Olaide Olawumi said Adesingbin had proved his love for unity among different Barrister fans clubs and deserved honour too.
A Lagos-based fan, who attended the event with his wife, Mr Taiwo Salami, gave kudos to the organizing committee for putting up the carnival and bringing together Barrister fans and lovers of fuji music generally.
Also, a UK-based fan, Otunba Habeeb Olatilewa Sadiq said he was fulfilled coming to Nigeria to witness the event having followed the commitment by all members of the committee, showering encomium on Adesingbin, whom he described as man of integrity.
A US-based fan, Mrs Sade Idowu, also commended the organisers of the party for their efforts, which resulted into BarryFest success.