Barrister Passes on

Barrister Dead

Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Nigerian Fuji music legend, passed on, December 16, Saint Mary Hospital, Paddington, United Kingdom.
Born on 1942, Barrister, started his life under rough financial circumstances. He attended a Qurannic school and later Yaba College of Technology but later dropped out of the college because he could not afford the tuition fees. He went to train under a stenographer and later volunteered as a soldier in the Nigerian Army during the civil war of 1967 and 1970.

Meanwhile, Barrister had developed an interest in music at the age of ten, and had mastered a music style that was traditional used during the month of Ramadan. Signed to Africa Songs Ltd, a Nigerian record label, Fuji Garbage, as he was famously known, produced many songs alongside the Supreme Commanders, a 25 man band, that not only carried moral and religious depths but were financially groundbreaking. He later worked with the African Musical International, a smaller music group.



Fuji Garbage, as he was famously called, also experimented with Apala, Juju and other older Yoruba music forms, which he introduced with enigmatic use of percussions. He was also a musical genius who used his voice to convey the pulse of the people in many national issues while some of his songs re-enacted some of the experiences of the people. Some of the albums produced by Sikiru Ayinde were Ejeka Gbo T’Oloun in the late 1960s, Alayinde Ma De O, Itan Anobi Rasaq, Ori Mi Ewo Ninse, late 1970s, and Aiye Dun Pupo/Love In Tokyo, 1975.



He also produced popular albums, Fuji Exponent, 1976, Omo Nigeria, 1977, London Specials, 1978, and Iwa, 1982, among others. His fuji movement has grown with young fuji musicians like Osupa Saidi, Pasuma and others.

Barrister Passes on

Barrister Dead

Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Nigerian Fuji music legend, passed on, December 16, Saint Mary Hospital, Paddington, United Kingdom.
Born on 1942, Barrister, started his life under rough financial circumstances. He attended a Qurannic school and later Yaba College of Technology but later dropped out of the college because he could not afford the tuition fees. He went to train under a stenographer and later volunteered as a soldier in the Nigerian Army during the civil war of 1967 and 1970.

Meanwhile, Barrister had developed an interest in music at the age of ten, and had mastered a music style that was traditional used during the month of Ramadan. Signed to Africa Songs Ltd, a Nigerian record label, Fuji Garbage, as he was famously known, produced many songs alongside the Supreme Commanders, a 25 man band, that not only carried moral and religious depths but were financially groundbreaking. He later worked with the African Musical International, a smaller music group.



Fuji Garbage, as he was famously called, also experimented with Apala, Juju and other older Yoruba music forms, which he introduced with enigmatic use of percussions. He was also a musical genius who used his voice to convey the pulse of the people in many national issues while some of his songs re-enacted some of the experiences of the people. Some of the albums produced by Sikiru Ayinde were Ejeka Gbo T’Oloun in the late 1960s, Alayinde Ma De O, Itan Anobi Rasaq, Ori Mi Ewo Ninse, late 1970s, and Aiye Dun Pupo/Love In Tokyo, 1975.



He also produced popular albums, Fuji Exponent, 1976, Omo Nigeria, 1977, London Specials, 1978, and Iwa, 1982, among others. His fuji movement has grown with young fuji musicians like Osupa Saidi, Pasuma and others.

Coca-Cola Lights Up the Moment

In the spirit of the yuletide Coca-Cola Nigeria, one of Nigeria’s beverage brands, ushered in the festive season with its annual Coca-Cola Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, December 10, at the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos. The place was filled with both A-class business personalities and youths who came with different shades of red as dress code to savour the moment.

Signalling the festive period was the presence of the landmark 33.5 meters tall Christmas tree which have been regarded as the tallest in Africa. The Christmas tree, fondly “Red Coke Tree” weighed 15 tons and was placed on a 2.5 meters high platform, it would remain at the location for 30 days. A myriad of Individuals who attended the event described it as “It was a spectacle of sparks, music and merriment”.

Micheal Ufomba, Marketing Director of Coca Cola Nigeria told pressmen that the tree lighting ceremony began in 2007 and has being widely embraced by Nigerians. Ufomba noted that the event foregrounds the company’s commitment in unifying families during the festive season. “As the Universal beacon of Happiness, Coca-Cola, more than any other brands, embodies the essence of the festive season-Joy, love and sharing. Coca-Cola is synonymous with celebration and a toast to open expression of love”, He added.



Unlike in previous years where the tree lighting ceremony was performed by dignitaries, this year’s ceremony was meant to honour Sharon Douglas, one of its major distributors who started small but had grown to colossal heights in marketing. Douglas, who declared the tree lighted, acknowledged the tremendous support she had enjoyed from Coca-Cola Nigeria and Nigerian Bottling Company in growing her business. “I am truly blessed to be here today at this remarkable event and I thank Coca-Cola for being true to their word and upholding me till this day”, she added.

Clem Ugorji, the company’s Communications Manager attested to her story of perseverance. Ugorji recalled that Douglas ventured into business as an unemployed graduate with one crate in 2004 but today sells 12, 000 crates monthly. For him, she represents all the companies’ distributors who are key partners to the business. Coca-Cola is capable of providing a new lease of life in areas of economic employment especially for women who constitute over 60 per cent of its distributorship across the country, He noted.

Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited is a subsidiary of The Coca-Cola Company. The company produces Eva water, Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite and Cappy Fruit Juice. Coca-Cola Nigeria Limited and its bottling partner, Nigerian Bottling Company Plc, represents one of the country’s largest private sector employers with about 6000 direct employees and more than one million others indirectly employed in its vast network of distributors and retailers nationwide.