Nigerian musicians and stakeholders have continued to pay tribute to
late music mogul, Chief Joseph Olayiwola Afolabi, the boss of Ogo Oluwa
Kitan Records, a music company that positively impacted on a lot of
veteran musicians in Nigeria.
Respected fuji musician, Shina Akanni, who said two sons of the deceased, Rotimi and Sunday, are his very good friends, told P.M.NEWS that he was an apprentice at a mechanic workshop in Atewolara, Mushin, Lagos, when he knew the late Chief Afolabi.
“He
was a very good and kind father. I had known him when I was an
apprentice mechanic in Mushin. We were the ones repairing his cars then.
He was a man that really helped develop Nigerian music that a lot of
people are enjoying now,” Akanni submitted.
Another music maestro,
Emperor Pick Peters, described Chief Afolabi as one of those who
popularised many genres of music in this part of the country, adding
that he will be remembered for his ingenuity and experience.
“I
knew him when I was on TYC, Take Your Choice music label as a record
distributor. His death will create a big vacuum in the industry. May his
soul rest in peace,” he said.
Chief Afolabi, 80, who died on
Monday night after a brief illness, was a patron of the Association of
Grammaphonic Records & Distributors, AGRED, and according to the
former Secretary-General of the association, Alhaji Adewale Babalola of
Babs Records, “he was a pleasant father and leader, very accommodating
and always encouraging younger fellows to grow in their various
businesses.”
Afolabi, at one point or the other, handled the
promotions and marketing of top music stars such as King Sunny Ade, the
late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Fatai Olowoyo, Ayinla Omowura, Pastor
Joseph Adelakun, aka Ayewa and many others.
He was incarcerated in
1998 by the General Sani Abacha regime on allegations of some deals in
which some friends of the late despot were alleged to be involved. But
he came out of the saga with his reputation intact.
He dabbled into various business ventures before his death. These include merchandising, automobile and freighting.
The late Chief Afolabi was a community leader, philanthropist and shepherd of God.
A
native of Ifon, Osun State, Chief Afolabi migrated to Lagos in the 50s
and since then became a force to reckon with especially in the
entertainment sector.
He is survived by wives and children.
No comments:
Post a Comment