Entertainment
Sikiru Ayinde Barrister: 9 Years Without Fuji Exponent | By Waheed Ganiyu
Exactly 9 years ago, Nigerian music icon, Dr. Sikiru Ololade Ayinde Balogun popularly known across the globe as Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Alhaji Agba and Mr. Fuji died at St. Mary’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom. Incontrovertibly, Barrister is regarded as the Fuji creator.
Prior to naming his own brand of music as Fuji what it used to be was ‘were’ genre, which served as a means of entertaining the Muslim faithful during the month of Ramadan. But Sikiru Ayinde established Fuji, a name which according to him was derived from a mountain in Japan (Mount Fuji). Obviously, Barrister made Fuji genre to have commercial appeal.
During his lifetime , Barrister had over 100 albums to his name and he inspired not only Fuji musicians, but from other genres. According to Sir Shina Peters, Barrister inspired him to release his debut ‘Aye’ in 1989. Shina was challenged when he saw how Barrister combined different juju music instruments in ‘Fuji Garbage’ series 2, in 1988.
Call him a prophet, you’re correct. There’s no doubt that Barrister had the premonition of the present insecurity and other social challenges bedevilling the country. In ‘Precaution’ released in 1995, he sang ‘mo sun mo la ala ala to buru, mo ri pe a n jagun ni Nigeria’ , meaning ‘I had a nightmare that Nigeria is in war’. And truly, Nigeria was grappled with insurgency, thank God they are technically ‘defeated’ now. Maybe the economic meltdown was part of Barrister’s nightmare.
Barrister also made significant contributions to the enthronement of Nigeria’s democracy. In his album ‘Truth'(1994). He called on the political office holders to make service their watchword. He challenged them to take into consideration the welfare of the electorates. Also in ‘Precaution’ he openly advocated for the release of Chief MKO Abiola and other political detainees ‘ka ni kan fi Moshudi sile MK Abiola’
He has always been on the side of the down-trodden. He used every opportunity to lament the suffering of the poor masses. ‘ka ma puro o mekunnu n jiya o, ka’ye san wo ina lai ma ma ri na o, k’aye san wo omi lai ma ma r’omi o. Meaning ‘truly, the poor are suffering by paying utility bills for service not rendered- electricity and water. Barrister lamented this in his album released preparatory to 1983 general elections ‘Nigeria’.
Many businesses had benefited from Barrister’s advertisement prowess. Some enterprises who were not enjoying popularity were made known in his albums. For instance in ‘Ijo Olomo’ released in 1983, he eulogised Chief Modupe Badero(Naira Pools) ‘ B’omode máa wi o Naira Pools ni…kin ni kan lo yato ti won fi j’olori , Saturday lo n san wo e, Atewolara ni won wa be de Mushin e beere’. Naira Pools also enjoyed mention in ‘Appreciation'(1984), ’emi a ta Naira Pools ni te mi, gbogbo wa la o ta’…
Barrister also extended the same gesture to Chief Rasaki Akanni Okoya in ‘Iwa'(1982),’ma jese mi o gb’ofo, Eleganza gbami odun de’. The business magnate was a major importer of footwear then.
All Barrister’s works which cover politics, humanity, discipline, celebration and others remain evergreen. His usual intervention as a commentator in the socio-political discourse is missing. Irrespective of the controversy surrounding the creator of Fuji music, I align with Saheed ‘Osupa that ‘Barry ni Fuji, e ma wule janpata’, ‘Barrister is Fuji, no argument’
Born in Ibadan, February 9, 1948, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister attended Model School Mushin and Yaba College of Technology. He started as ‘ajiwere’, in 1958 at Mushin, Lagos. He joined the Nigerian Army in 1958. His focus on music career prompted his resignation from the military in 1976. May his soul rest in peace.
Nigerian singer and humanitarian Sean Dampte has expressed deep concern over reports of mass abductions and growing insecurity across communities in South-West Nigeria, calling for urgent action to protect lives and restore public confidence.
In a heartfelt statement, Dampte lamented the fear and uncertainty facing families, students, and educators in affected communities. He stressed that no child should leave home for school only to become the subject of desperate prayers before returning safely, and that no teacher should have to work under the constant threat of abduction.
Describing the situation as a national concern that transcends politics, ethnicity, religion, and social media debates, the entertainer emphasised that real lives and families are being affected by the crisis.
“My heart is heavy over the reports of mass abductions and the fear spreading across communities in South-West Nigeria,” he said, adding that the pain experienced by victims and their loved ones should never be ignored or normalised.
Sean Dampte expressed solidarity with affected families and communities living in fear, while also joining other Nigerians in demanding immediate and decisive action from authorities. He urged relevant security agencies and government institutions to strengthen the protection of schools, secure vulnerable communities, and ensure the safe return of all abducted persons.
The singer concluded by reiterating his vision for a safer nation, stating that “Nigeria must be a place where children can dream without fear.”
Popular Nigerian singer, Adekunle Kosoko, better known as Adekunle Gold, and his wife, Simisola Kosoko, also known as Simi, have welcomed a set of twin babies.
The singer announced the good news via his Snapchat story on Wednesday.
“Asked God for another child and He blessed me double,” Simi wrote.
Although the gender of the babies has not been disclosed, the announcement has since attracted congratulatory messages from fans, colleagues and well-wishers across the entertainment industry.
The development comes months after Simi had hinted at her pregnancy. In December, she shared a video on Instagram, captioned, “From my baby, for my babies,” with the clip showing her baby bump.
The arrival of the twins also comes weeks after Simi featured in a snippet from Adekunle Gold’s recently released music video titled My Love Is the Same.
Adekunle Gold and Simi got married in 2019 after years of friendship and musical collaboration. Both artistes were formerly signed to X3M Music early in their careers and have since remained one of Nigeria’s most celebrated celebrity couples.
The couple welcomed their first child, Adejare Kosoko, fondly called Deja, in May 2020.
Renowned Tungba gospel musician, Dr Yinka Ayefele, has released a new studio album titled Reflections, adding another chapter to his long-standing influence in Nigeria’s gospel music scene.
The album, which was released on Monday, December 22, 2025, blends introspection with praise, as Ayefele reflects on life, faith and gratitude to God, drawing from personal experiences marked by trials, near-tragedies and triumphs.
Announcing the release in a statement, the Group Head of Corporate Affairs, Fresh Nigeria and Yinka Ayefele Limited, Samson Akindele, said the album captures the musician’s deep reflections on life and his renewed commitment to thanksgiving and praise through music.
Musically, Reflections is rooted in Ayefele’s signature Tungba style, featuring energetic drum percussions, rich string arrangements and call-and-response patterns, supported by harmonious backup vocals from the Merry Makers Band.
The album also incorporates diverse elements, including Tungba hymnals and an Arabic praise chant rendered by a budding female talent, Harike Jesu, who additionally delivers a danceable Fuji-inspired track.
According to details of the project, the opening track focuses on Ayefele’s life journey and lessons drawn from past experiences, while subsequent tracks express appreciation to fans and sustain a flow of upbeat, dance-friendly rhythms.
Reflections is available on major digital streaming and download platforms, including Spotify, Boomplay, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Audiomack, YouTube Music, Deezer and Tidal.
The compact disc version is expected to be released in the coming days under the Yinka Ayefele Music label.
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