14 Years Without Sikiru Ayinde Barrister: Fuji Stars Miss Anniversary Prayers
December 16, 2024, marked 14 years since the passing of Fuji music legend, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister. However, the remembrance prayer organized to honor his legacy was notably devoid of the presence of prominent Fuji musicians, sparking conversations among fans and industry observers.
Despite this absence, Barrister’s impact on the Fuji genre was not forgotten. A few artists and fans kept his memory alive in their own ways. Renowned Fuji artist Sefiu Alao, popularly known as Baba Oko, paid homage to the late icon during a recent performance. Similarly, Fuji star Saheed Osupa announced plans to dedicate a special remembrance prayer during his upcoming event, the “Friend of Osupa: Exclusive White Agbada Party,” scheduled for December 25 at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos.
Fans also took to social media, sharing heartfelt tributes, videos, and posts celebrating Barrister’s enduring influence on the Fuji genre. Rising artist Yeesha Ladybarry’s tribute video gained significant traction online, and the Mr. Fuji Fans Club organized a special prayer session in Lagos in his honor.
At his Isolo residence in Lagos, a modest gathering of family, clerics, and a handful of individuals prayed for the late Fuji maestro. Among the notable attendees was Fuji musician Alhaji Olawale Ishola Fatai, famously known as Sandoka Yoboro Yobonson. The president of the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria (FUMAN), Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Agboola (S.K. Sensation), reportedly visited briefly before departing.
Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, born in Mushin, Lagos, revolutionized the Fuji genre. Starting as a Ramadan entertainer in the 1960s, he transitioned to full-time music after serving in the Nigerian Army. Barrister coined the name “Fuji,” inspired by Japan’s Mount Fuji, and went on to release over 80 albums, including classics like Ile Aiye Dun Pupo and Fuji Garbage. His contributions to Nigerian music earned him national recognition, including the title of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2006.
He passed away on December 16, 2010, at the age of 62, due to complications from diabetes. Despite his undeniable contributions, the sparse attendance at his 14th remembrance event highlights a growing concern about the lack of commitment to celebrating pioneers who paved the way for Fuji’s global prominence.
As the debate continues, one thing remains clear: the legacy of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister will forever be etched in the hearts of those who love Fuji music.
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