Ace film producer, Tunde Kelani, has revealed plans to produce and release a film on the late Fuji Music creator, Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, MFR, as a way to further immortalise him.
He made the revelation while speaking at the grand finale of the BarryFest Fuji Music International Festival 2022, held in honour of Barrister at Ilaji Hotels and Resorts, Akanran, Ibadan.
Kelani said he had wanted to talk about producing a film in memory of the Fuji Music legend since about four years ago and promised that the film will be in the market by 2023.
“My full name is Babatunde Ayinde Kelani. This name has a very deep meaning, connecting with the name of the late Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.
“I had wanted to talk about this about four years ago. There is a need for us to produce a film in honour of the memory of the man we are celebrating here today.
“I am assuring you that a film will soon come out on Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. In fact, one film will not be enough to document his life and music, but we are starting with this one.
“I want to assure you that the film will be released in 2023 to commemorate the 2023 edition of BarryFest. And I am imploring everybody and lovers of Barrister to contribute to it.
“I want it to be a collective effort because the film would be a reflection of the true essence of Yoruba culture and values, as represented in Barry Wonder, in any part of the world,” Tunde Kelani said.
The event was indeed a day of honour for the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, as his fans, admirers and various Fuji musicians gathered to shower accolades and encomiums on him, more than 11 years after his death.
BarryFest is a music festival organised by fans, comprising of 16 clubs, to honour the memory of the late Fuji Music idol who died on 16 December, 2010 at the age of 62.
The 16 clubs include Chief Dr Sikiru Ayinde Fans Club; The Ayinde Barrister Legacy Club; Barry Wonder Fans Club; Sikiru Ayinde Barrister Global Charity Organisation (USA); The Barrybrator Worldwide; Barrister Fans Club and Oludasile Fuji.
Others are Fuji Music Creator Ambassador Group; Barry Wonder Lives On; Mr Fuji Fans Club Worldwide; Barry 4ever Best Fuji Song; Fuji Originator Group; Barrister Entertainment Forum; Mr Fuji Official; Barry Black Votary Club and Barry Die Hard Fans.
Tributes were paid to the memory of the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and the highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to the late music idol and some other prominent Yoruba musicians.
Barrister was given the post-humous award of Evergreen Legend of Fuji Music; Alhaji Chief Kollington Ayinla bagged Grand Legend of Fuji Music; Wasiu Ayinde, K1 received Outstanding Legend of Fuji Music; and Juju music legend, Chief Ebenezer Obey was given the award of Fuji Music Foremost Benefactor Award in recognition of his motivational role in the life of the late Barrister.
Various other Fuji musicians were also presented with Certificate of Induction into the Fuji Music Hall of Fame, Isolo Fuji Chambers, just as the Ekefa Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Alabi and Elder Dayo Adeyemi (Hunter) were recognised for preserving Yoruba culture and promoting the legacy of Barrister, respectively.
Alhaja Mujidat Agbaje was recognised for being the first person to promote the music and legacy of the late Fuji Music idol on the social media, even when Barrister was alive.
The secretary of the Planning Committee, BarryFest 2022, Agbaakin Ademola Adesigbin, was presented with the BarryFest 2022 Chairman Award in recognition of his contribution to the success of the event.
Adesigbin, speaking on the award bestowed on him said it would spur him to do more, and declared that “this is not the best. We should expect the best of the best.”
