Although he dropped mortality for immortality, about 16 years ago, the world-acclaimed Fuji music creator, Chief (Dr) Sikiru Ayinde Agbajelola Barrister (SAB), literally came back to life when one of his numerous fans’ clubs around the globe honoured his memory with a monument.
The event was the unveiling of the monument built in honour of the Fuji music originator, whose image still looms larger than life, some 16 years after his earthly departure.
The venue was the National Museum of Unity, Aleshinloye, Ibadan. The dateline was Wednesday, 3 June, 2026. The sponsors were no other than Barry Festival (BarryFest), Lagos, Nigeria and Maryland, US.
Barrister and his loyal fans
Gathered to honour the legendary Fuji music icon in his land of birth, Ibadan, were his fans, both in Nigeria and across the globe. What was on display at the event was a demonstration of a deep love for their beloved departed musical idol.
This was as the Fuji music great drew applause and encomium from invited distinguished and personalities who also witnessed the ceremony.
Speaking during the occasion, Director-General of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mallam Isa Onilu, eulogised the great works of the late Barrister, fondly called Alhaji Agba.
Onilu commended the legendary music idol for leaving behind timeless songs which he said are now his enduring legacy.
He praised the late Fuji musician for leaving behind what he described as a rich collection of timeless songs that have become his enduring legacy.
He also called on indigenous music practitioners in Nigeria to work harder and compose songs which would live after them and register their names in the memories of their fans forever.
The NOA Director-General had some words of advice for the fans of the late music star as he urged tuem to forge ahead in their propagation of his legacy, rather than dissipating energy on a certain needless topic he described as a dead issue.
“If almost 16 years after his departure, Barrister still lives in the mind and body of lovers of good, philosophical songs, it is a waste of energy joining issue with any group. They are already exhausted when they realised Barrister is even more influential in death than they had imagined,” he said.
Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, disclosed that the state government bestowed on the late great music composer, stranger and producer a posthumous Award of Excellence as an outstanding shon of the shoil at the 50th anniversary celebration of the state, held last February.
This was as the commissioner also called on the fans of the late Fuji creator to continue on the track and further institutionalise him.
The Curator and Zonal Director (South-West) of the National Museum of Unity, Mrs Otuka Pamela Oriyomi, described the monument as a historic development for the institution.
According to her, the music icon became the first musician to have a monument erected within the museum premises since its establishment, 50 years ago.
She commended members of BarryFest for what she described as their unwavering commitment to keeping the musician’s memory alive.
The Special Guest of Honour at the ceremony, Mr Dapo Falade who is the Publisher of Newscoven.com, online newspaper, could not hide his admiration for the late Barrister as he enthused that being invited in that capacity to such a big event was a great honour for him.
He spoke further: “Talking about the man who we are honouring with this monument today is practically a reliving of a life that positively touched the lives of millions of people around the globe.
“Without any exaggeration, I will liken the late Alhaji Chief Sikiru Ayinde Agbajelola Barrister (SAB) to, arguably, the greatest man ever to live in this part of the world, the Avatar and Sage, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, whose works and policies have remained the yardstick for development in the South-West, nay Nigeria, some 68 years after he had left office as the Premier of the Defunct Western Region of Nigeria.
“Like the legendary Awolowo, SAB came into the world as an ordinary human, but he left the stage, leaving shoes that are far too big for those who came behind him to wear. His footprints in Fuji music and music, generally, are inerasable.
“Barusati was a creator and an originator. Like he sang in of his numerous evergreen elpees, music has been in existence hundreds of years before he was born.
“But Barrister came and transformed what he found on the ground, Were, into Fuji, a globally-acceptable genre of music, to the glory of God and the benefit of humanity.
“SAB was original and creative in his songs, deep and highly philosophical in his lyrics; his percussion and musical arrangement were (and are still) irresistibly danceable and entertaining.
“Though physically dead for about 16 years, the greatest Fuji musician ever to live is not really dead. He simply dropped mortality for immortality. He lives on, freshly, in the memories of the millions of his fans in Nigeria and around the world.
“What BarryFest did today, with this monument, is more than befitting; it is a great honour, well deserved by the King of Fuji Music.”
Also speaking, Chairman of Barrister Festival (BarryFest), the group which funded the monument, Alhaji Olaide Olawumi, described Barrister as a man of destiny, born to break barriers and set records.
“He was a pioneer, an innovator, and a visionary whose contributions transformed Nigerian music and elevated Fuji Music to international recognition,” he stressed.
Guests at the occasion included representative of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Mogaji Nurudeen Akinade, President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Barr. Ajeniyi Ajewole, a friend of Barrister, Chief Kola Oyadeji, Ambassador Romoke Ayinde (Karomlee), Elder Dayo Odeyemi, among several other notable guests.
