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Behold Mr Garbage | By Tunde Busari
Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister lost it the day he rose from his bed and engaged in intense thoughts, which led him to define what Fuji sound was and should be among other genres of indigenous music in Nigeria in particular and world in general.
He lost it when he gathered his thoughts together, gathered his band members too, headed for studios and recorded his definition in the elpee to be titled FUJI REGGAE Series II in 1979, brilliantly articulating that fuji sound is amalgamation of different genres. Barrister completely lost his rest as well as his peace, his peace of mind.
He had exposed himself to the world, and the world was watching and impatiently waiting for what he was up to. They wanted to see how he was going to combine the highlighted genres of his definition to create a distinct brand and sustain it. He knew that he had set himself up; he knew the expectations were thousands of miles above sea level. But as a trained combatant soldier expected to turn every challenge to opportunity, he was determined to meet the expectations and surpass them.
Shortly, he subsumed Sakara and Apala but met a stiff obstacle in juju genre. Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade remained pushful on stage and inside studios, dropping one popular elpee after the other. Juju posed a real threat but the soldier in Barrister always reminded him that he could not afford to run back to the trenches. He moved on. I learnt it on good authority that at private function, he would always engage a juju musician to perform. This might be a strategy to, at a close range, understudy the tricks of the genre beyond what he heard in their albums.
A careful listener would pick some guitar rhythm which Barrister smartly and intelligently turned either to song or drum beats in his albums or at live performances. In line with his race, he was bringing western instruments, especially flute and strings, into his music. Aside mouth organ which was common among ajisari singers and which Barrister also used, he brought trumpet in 1981. And it spiced his live shows with a particular reference to a 1982 performance in Ilesa at which trumpet stole the show.
He would go ahead and feature the trumpet in IWA album released a few months later, and the instrument made a significant difference through its occasional intervention at the back of percussion. The success recorded encouraged him to combine two trumpets in LOVE of 1983, and both are effective and won fans of juju and highlife for fuji. It seemed Obey and Sunny were getting that message, that Barrister clearly rebellious message, and accordingly upped their game. Yet, Barrister soldiered on, enduring sleepless nights and fixed his eyes on his destination.
On his return from his Summer 87 trip to America, he combined piano with trumpet and gave us BARRY WONDER released in December 1987. This elpee, unknown to many, was the beginning of the journey to FUJI GARBAGE, FUJI GARBAGE Series II and FUJI GARBAGE Series III. Barrister repeated BARRY WONDER experiment in BARRY WONDER @40 some months after in 1988, and the triumph was unquantifiable. It was a bomb! Barrister shone. Fuji music and all good fuji musicians became instant beneficiaries having their patronage expanded.
Still, he was not carried away by the applause over that album dedicated to his clocking 40 years on the surface of the earth. He kept on moving and recorded FUJI GARBAGE in which he strangely featured Hawai guitar played by one dexterous and colourful John Akinola. If you listen to Obey very actively, hawai guitar was a key string which often electrifies his percussion. KSA and other juju acts also use it. But because a section of Barrister’s fans was oblivious that it was an experimental elpee, they did not key into what sounded odd to them, accusing him of attempt to turn fuji to juju and kill their beloved genre.
The cry, the justified fear though, of his critics notwithstanding, Barrister remained himself and hit the airwaves with FUJI GARBAGE Series II in December 1988. Few weeks after the release, the same critics turned 360 degrees, clapped for his ingenuity and also “danced to Fuji Garbage.”
FUJI GARBAGE Series II did the magic, and Sir Sina Peters made attestation to how the elpee singularly inspired his Afro-juju to later record what became a chart-buster, ACE in 1989. Go and listen to SSP ACE and SHINAMANIA in particular and dance to a perfect fusion of fuji and juju derived from Barrister’s brain work.
FUJI GARBAGE Series III did not come in quick succession of FUJI GARBAGE and FUJI GARBAGE II which were released some months apart in 1988. It had to wait for one whole year after Barrister had dropped CURRENT AFFAIRS in the mid-1989. And when FUJI GARBAGE III hit the market in December of that year, it was the completion of Barrister’s journey to his destination. He introduced a Caribbean Steel pan used as opening track, played on Basket ball as a coded language and used reggae instrumentation to background Mo gbere mi dode Osupa adini mi.’
Conscious that the first sides of the three ‘FUJI GARBAGES’ would cause distraction, especially with use of new instruments, Barrister deliberately reserved the flip sides for philosophical messages for which he is reputed. In those sides, brilliance of his team of drummers would be appreciated on how each expresses himself without disturbing others. The drummers speak with songs of Barrister to add meanings to the songs and produce more meaningful music to the fans.
Barrister’s music essentially is not all about jumping and sweating on dance floor even though it is danceable, if you are gifted with dance skills. His music is exclusively about meditating on philosophy, sermon, admonition, warning, education, history, tourism and beautiful use of language, different languages including, of course, Arabic, Latin, French aside English.
Are you still surprised on why his cds are still selling as if he had just dropped them from heaven?
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency of Oyo State, Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of violence at the All Progressives Congress (APC) state secretariat, describing claims that he assaulted a party member as false and politically motivated.
An online platform, IMPARTNEWSNETWORK, had alleged that Akinmoyede assaulted one Gafar Oyebade during a meeting convened by the state chairman of the party, Alake Adeyemo, to resolve issues surrounding the executive list of the APC in Lagelu Local Government Area.
However, Akinmoyede, in a statement on Tuesday, said the meeting was peaceful and attended by key members of the state executive, including the chairman, deputy chairman, and secretary, who witnessed the proceedings.
He clarified that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the state leadership recognised him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to the lawmaker, following the clarification, the state executive directed the Lagelu Local Government chairman, Fatai Awoyoola, to proceed with the swearing-in of other party officials.
Akinmoyede also faulted attempts to link the incident with the 2019 killing of a former federal lawmaker, noting that a court of competent jurisdiction had already ruled on the matter.
He said, “In Suit No. I/70c/2019, delivered by Justice Mufutau Adegbola on January 23, 2020, all those accused were discharged and acquitted.”
The lawmaker expressed concern over what he described as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public, alleging that Oyebade, a public school teacher under the Oyo State Government, should not be involved in partisan politics.
He described the allegation as a “recycled script” aimed at tarnishing his image ahead of political activities, urging constituents to remain calm.
Akinmoyede also called on journalists to verify information before publication and urged security agencies to take action against individuals who file false reports.
“These tactics surface every election cycle. Those behind them should learn to accept the outcomes of political processes. They failed before and will fail again. Power comes from God,” he added.
The lawmaker representing Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Olafisoye Akinmoyede, has denied allegations of assault levelled against him by a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagelu Local Government Area, Mr. Gafar Oyebade.
Akinmoyede described the allegation as “false” and “a lie taken too far,” insisting that no physical altercation occurred.
The denial was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his Legislative Aide, Dr. Isiaq Akintunde.
Oyebade had alleged that he was hospitalised following a confrontation during a meeting held at the office of the state party chairman in Oke-Ado, Ibadan, convened to resolve a leadership dispute in the local government.
But the federal lawmaker maintained that the meeting was peaceful and attended by top party officials.
“The meeting was convened to clarify Mr. Oyebade’s position within the local executive, and it was attended by the State Party Chairman, his deputy, the secretary, the publicity secretary, and other key state executives, all of whom witnessed the peaceful proceedings,” the statement read.
He added that contrary to Oyebade’s claim of being the party secretary, the official list presented by the Lagelu Local Government Party Chairman, Hon. Fatai Awoyoola, identified him as the Public Relations Officer.
According to Akinmoyede, the state executive thereafter directed Awoyoola to proceed with the swearing-in of the remaining members of the local government executive.
The lawmaker accused Oyebade of fabricating the allegation to advance political interests.
“I wonder why Mr. Gafar Oyebade, a secondary school teacher, would claim he was assaulted in the presence of the State Executive. This is an attempt to justify money allegedly collected from an aspirant to tarnish my image,” he said.
Akinmoyede further claimed that Oyebade was seen walking freely after the meeting and was not hospitalised as alleged.
He also raised concerns over Oyebade’s involvement in partisan politics, noting that civil servants are restricted from active participation in political activities.
The lawmaker called on security agencies and the media to investigate the incident at the party’s Oke-Ado office to ascertain the veracity of the claims.
Efforts to reach Oyebade for comments were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and Chairman, House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, Aderemi Oseni, has declared his intention to contest the Oyo South Senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
Oseni made his aspiration known during a high-level meeting with the Ibarapa APC Elders’ and Leaders’ Forum, comprising the G9 and the expanded G64 caucus, held at the party secretariat in Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area, over the weekend.
The G9 and G64 groups consist of influential stakeholders drawn from Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central, and Ibarapa North local government areas.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker expressed appreciation to the forum for their support and confidence in his leadership and vision.
He said his ambition to represent Oyo South Senatorial District was anchored on a determination to consolidate and expand his record of performance.
Oseni said, “This aspiration is not built on mere rhetoric, but on the continuity and expansion of a proven track record of quality representation and grassroots-oriented governance.”
While soliciting the support of party leaders, he described his ambition as a divine call to serve the people with renewed dedication.
According to him, “This is not a time for self-glory but a sacred responsibility to intensify efforts towards real development, bring more relief to our people and ensure inclusive governance.”
He pledged not to betray the trust reposed in him by party elders and faithful, stressing that his aspiration is rooted in progressive ideals and a genuine commitment to the development of the district.
Oseni also urged leaders in the zone to mobilise support towards delivering one million votes for President Bola Tinubu in the forthcoming election.
Speaking at the meeting, a leader from Ibarapa East, Chief Michael Morawo, lauded the lawmaker for delivering democratic dividends and strengthening the party structure. He added that Oseni has demonstrated commendable leadership through his performance, noting that his impact in stabilising the party within the constituency is evident.
Similarly, a former council chairman in Ibarapa Central, Chief Theophilus Adenrele, commended the lawmaker for not betraying the trust reposed in him. Also, a chieftain from Ibarapa North, Chief Francis Babalola, described Oseni as a humble leader committed to progressive ideals, dismissing speculations about his possible defection if he does not secure the governorship ticket.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the forum, Chief Timothy Jolaoso, said the lawmaker enjoys widespread grassroots acceptance that cuts across political divides.
Jolaoso said, “All indicators consistently point to Oseni as a candidate with acceptance that transcends party lines. He is not only capable but a man of deep faith with proven empathy for the downtrodden.”
He added, “He possesses the goodwill, financial strength, and public trust required for leadership.”
The elder statesman further noted that Oseni’s performance in the House of Representatives, alongside his role as Chairman of the FERMA Committee, underscores his competence and commitment to development.
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