Wasiu Was Never Part Of Fuji Creation -Odeyemi …Accuses Him Of Disrespect To Late Ayinde Barrister

Elder Dayo Odeyemi, spokesperson of the late Fuji maestro, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister has tersely condemned statements credited to Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Anifowoshe, K1 De Ultimate that the late Fuji maestro was not the creator of Fuji music and for publicly claiming that he was single-handedly responsible for giving him a befitting burial.
At a forum organised by Goldberg, where scholars and critics spoke on the progress that Juju and Fuji have made, Wasiu had, among other points, noted that the word ‘fuji’ originated from Lagos Island, from sayings such as ‘Faaji’, ‘Fuji’ and Buruji.
This ran contrary to the opinion of other participants that included Prof. Tunde Babawale, Mr. Hakeem Adenekan and a younger brother of the late Ayinde Barrister, Mr. Kayode Balogun, who all tended to credit the deceased with the origination of the word.
But while Wasiu gave Barrister credit for his (Barrister) immense contribution to the growth of Fuji, he warned that history should not be manipulated.
Since he made the statement at the event held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos, however, many of Barrister’s acolytes have been criticising him, with some of the fans saying he was undermining Barrister, who was said to be his former boss.
According to Elder Odeyemi, who said he has the blessing of the family of the late musician, the statements made by K1 are most unfortunate as well as laughable. “It is also a flagrant display of arrogance and naivety on his part. It reveals his hatred and open jealousy to the man who gave him his source of livelihood,” he said.
He said, “After due consultation with the family, friends and fans of the fuji music creator, the late Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, it becomes imperative for me as his spokesman and a veteran entertainment journalist, who has written three different books on the history of Nigerian music, to make an official statement on the outburst of Wasiu Ayinde Anifowose, alias Fuji King, on the creation of Fuji.
“Wasiu Ayinde was reported to have at a forum in Lagos chided his mentor, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barister (MFR), insinuating that he was not the creator of Fuji music, equating ‘Faaji’ and ‘Fuja’ to Fuji music.
“He dismissed the popular notion and statement of the founding father of Fuji music that the word Fuji was derived from the Japanese’s Mountain of Love.
Explaining why the origin of Fuji is beyond K1 De Ultimate, Elder Odeyemi said Fuji was already seven years old before K1 De Ultimate began his musical journey with Late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.
“He was never a part of history of Fuji creation as the music itself (Fuji) was 7 years old as at the time he came into music under the tutelage of Ayinde Barister in 1974. Perhaps, I should make it clear that Wasui Ayinde who is claiming to know much abut Fuji joined Barrister Organization in 1974 after uncompleting secondary school education at Ansar-Ud-Deen High School, Ijebu-Isiwo.
‘‘As at 1974 Barrister had released 19 (nineteen) solid records including (2) two singles and one extended play. By calculation, if we subtract 1967 when Barister released his first Fuji record titled Waya Rabi from 1974 when Wasui joined his organization as a packer, the gap is 7 years meaning Fuji music is 7 years older than Wasui Ayinde alias K1 who is now trying to tell the story of what he knew nothing about” he said.
On the alleged claim that he promised Barrister a befitting burial, Elder Odeyemi in his press release stated that K1 was claiming a glory he doesn’t deserve, saying, “It is on record that Wasiu visited Barrister only once throughout the period of ten months that Barrister was hospitalized at Havana Hospital, Lagos.
‘‘It is equally on record that it was the former Lagos State governor, Raji Fashola that donated money for all the expenses of the burial ceremony including refreshment and security at Fuji Chambers and TBS respectively. The question is, at what stage did Wasui Ayinde spend his money, bearing in mind that a burial committee headed by Alhaji Buhari Oloto had been put in place by the Lagos State government to handle the burial arrangements. KWAM 1 cannot deny the fact that he was taking orders from Alhaji Buhari Oloto who was in total control,” he said.
In conclusion, Odeyemi advised K1 De Ultimate to desist from destroying the legacy built by the late Alhaji Ayinde Barriater, saying, “I want to appeal to Wasiu Ayinde to desist forthwith from destroying the legacy of the man who gave him his source of livelihood. He should also tell the world what he has done for the family of Barrister despite all the promises he made to the children and wives during the burial of the late Fuji Creator.”
However, Wasiu had said in an interview that he would not trade words with those who were not comfortable with the statements he made at the forum, because, according to him, he had spoken the truth