………..Walaitalai Pastors , Deacons and the Saints will commit
………The City that never sleeps
…….The good, the bad and the ugly of…
THE environment was bubbling as music was blaring from high -powered speakers mounted at the entrances of some of the buildings. Armed with fliers were Marketers from various companies advertising their different products and services calling prospective customers to patronize them with the promise of attractive gifts and rewards .Visitors, Tourists , fun -seekers and the Natives- the Las Vegans were milling around . Lovers irrespective of their ages were seen holding their hands. Gamblers were walking into Casinos. Exotic cars , sports cars and racing motorcycles and Double-decker Buses were driving past while the traffic lights were controlling the drivers.
The only thing that stood still are the skyscraper buildings that are competing with one another in designs and height as they are all struggling for space in the sky! .These buildings are what Yoruba would call awoyanu ,awodatolenu and awosifila buildings on Strip Street in Las Vegas Boulevard , a major road in the Las Vegas Valley of Nevada, best known for the Las Vegas Strip portion of the road and its casinos.
Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas
PHOTOS: TAIWO ABIODUN
Some of these visitors made their way through the corridors , behind pillars, climbing winding staircases, and escalators . While some were in a hurry others were walking majestically enjoying the cool atmospheric condition .Various activities were going on. Marijuana was being smoked freely , they call this recreational Marijuana which is legal in Las Vegas. It was all fun. Some Stripers were entertaining with their erotic dance. They know Son of Man’s weakness so they exposed the ”areas” and ”angles” that would make Son of Man to become restless and commit sin .
Although it was rowdy but boisterous with a lot of fun. A minstrel was singing and playing a piano expecting money from passers by . A homeless man clutched his dirty clothes by his side and with his face was contorting with pain and waving his long withered hand begging for alms .Another was looking askance with two hands stretched .Poor me, I never believed there are beggars or homeless people in America!
We danced and danced and danced………. Some ladies were half- nude calling passers-by, calling for shots. When I sighted the damsels with feathery hats I remembered the four wise monkeys and also a carving of the three wise monkeys proudly placed above the door of the shrine since the 17th century made by a sculptor, Hidari Jingoro, the carving is a pictorial maxim of the phrase, “See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil”. No wonder the saying ”Do not see evil, Do not hear Evil, do not touch Evil and do not do Evil ”. No wonder one would see young and old couples holding themselves in order to avoid disobeying or falling foul of these four rules in Las Vegas!,
Who is the best dancer here?
I asked my wife, Ronnie whether I should obey the three rules of the monkey , she said ”Yes , but also obey the fourth one ‘do no evil”’. I asked whether I could take picture with them, she responded ” of course if you want”, she brought out my iPad and took some shots.
The four wise monkeys
When I sighted many of these damsels of different shapes, races and colors I screamed ”Ha! mo gbe, no wonder King Solomon had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines”. I screamed ‘Lord where is thy face ?. Solomon must have seen these and their beauty, dressing and brains of these ladies’. I now realized why Solomon should not be blamed. I now saw the reason why the powerful Samson fell on on a woman’s lap. I now saw the reason why great men who could not control themselves fell yakata and had their lives cut short or miserable .
Walai talai to the lily- livered or a Gigolo infact if you are a Man of God, or Pastor you will beg not to be tempted for if their beauty did not attract you their dressing would .And if their dressing did not do the job then their magic wand – their smile and the way they beckon on you showing their glittering white teeth and with their sexy eyes . Call them ‘Mother , sorry, Father Christmas as they all dressed in Santa Claus suit. But their own Santa Claus did not give out gifts instead they demanded for gift -money .
Taiwo Abiodun dancing with the ladies
Taiwo Abiodun with the ladies
”Come and take picture with us ”, one of them called this reporter .
Seeing them one could see their artificial wings attached to their clothes , they wore their sexy chain bra jewelries, some were made of silver , some of gold and some crystal body chain. Some wore their father Xmas Caps but no beard .Their shoes were expensive and enticing . Their faces were bright , their good set of teeth were glittering . They giggled and wriggled their waists .We took pictures, danced and danced .
When they demanded for money , Ronnie gave them twenty dollars, and said ” Abbey , they don’t do all this for free, you have to pay them, that is their business”.
I went into my hotel room and many thoughts flooded my mind, so it is true that Las Vegas is called the Entertainment Capital of the World, the Gambling Capital of the World, the Marriage Capital of the World, the City that Never Sleeps among others. It is fun 24/7.It is fun throughout the whole year .
No wonder they called the city ,Sin City where gambling, ladies of the night and liquor are all easily accessible.
I shall visit the Sin City again ,but having the four monkeys’ wise sayings in mind.
……..I WAS BEATEN BY THE POLICE IN CHIEF BASSEY’S CAR
……..MEANING OF AGBA OLUWERE
…...HOW BROTHER NURU PUT ME INTO TROUBLE
……..I WANT TO BE NO THREE NIGERIA’S COMEDIANS
WHO IS AGBA OLUWERE?
He is that talkative and ugly weird man on stage . Agba Oluwere is that loquacious man whose frightening big eyeballs roll endlessly in their sockets and send shivers into kids’ spines. His wide mouth looks like that of a frog but with caustic and wagging tongue . Looking at his set of teeth reminds one the Yoruba’s proverbial Adepele who is ‘blessed’ with thousands of teeth. He has many voices : baritone,alto, soprano, bass and tenor .He has good voices , sonorous, velvet , croaky , old man’s voice and baby’s voice, that is Agba Oluwere for you .
He is unpredictable: when Agba Oluwere leans his chin on his hand,drawing the strands of his beard and rolls his eyes he looks fearful and funny for one could not predict what would come out from his ugly mouth . He sees everything under the sun and will not keep quiet for a moment. What of his hair? he plaited his head like a woman or Sango the Yoruba god of Thunder. He looks like an illiterate and an idiot yet when he talks you burst into laughter and drink from his fountain of knowledge . When he opens his mouth gbaga you will learn from his words of wisdom for he is a wiseacre .When he gossips you will reason along with him as you cannot throw away the baby with the bath water , you will caution yourself as his words are prophetic , warnings and full of morals . From his few words , one gleams several important items of knowledge. His case is like the Yoruba proverb , O so sini l’enu o bu’yo sii.
To him life is fun , life is a serious matter , life is entertaining and life is naughty .To him life is good, bad and ugly.Life is an institution where you will never graduate.In Agba Oluwere‘s comedy you learn from his wealth of experience .He is a traveler ,a soothsayer,a visioner,a prophet , a Pastor, a Teacher, a Doctor and a therapist as he tells you real life stories that will benefit you!
BAKO ADEKUNLE MICHAEL
Bako Adekunle Michael
But in real life and off stage he is Bako Adekunle Michael . He is a Macho man. He is very handsome and a ladies’ man . He is humility personified. He possessed temperament of genius, misanthropy and enthusiasm .He is jovial, well educated, multi- talented Artiste and well articulated . His comedy is witty, entertaining, educative , informative and full of wisdom. If you are not cautious enough you may end up cracking you ribs from laughter while tears could flow from your eyes too.
For Kings , he is their Court jester. He forces the rich to relax by listening to his jokes and to the Commoners , he is their comforter as he makes them laugh and temporarily forget their sorrows.
Today his followers are in thousands. His jokes is the tonic for anemic patient ,a saviour for lost souls as he preaches gospel in his own way too.
For Kings , he is their Court jester. He forces the rich to relax by listening to his jokes and to the Commoners , he is their comforter as he makes them laugh and temporarily forget their sorrows.
Welcome to Bako Adekunle Michael’s world.
Listen to the rest of the interview here
Welcome to the World of the Comedian aka Agba Oluwere. His works have gone round the globe to United States of America,United Kingdom, Canada, Russia, even in the Australia and Cambodia .He prays to be among number three Nigerian Comedians .
Come, are you sad?. Are you downcast? Are you betrayed by friends or messed by haters? Agba Oluwere has the antidote, he has the medicine or therapy to calm your frayed nerves .He will pour cool water in your mind and lift your spirit once again.Watch his comedy .
Here in this video he speaks English , Yoruba and Owo dialect.
SOME LECTURERS CALLED ME COCK
I STARTED MY COMEDY IN MARCH
WHEN CHIEF …..[akaBASSEY) SEND ME ON ERRANDS [listen to the video)
INTRODUCTION
”My names are Bako Adekunle Michael. I will be 33 years old by God’s grace in October. I am the first child of my mother .My biological father is late. My step father is called Liadi Akanni , he is my father and he lives in California , USA. He has been a great father and highly supportive , he is unequaled. I love him. He is my biggest supporter in all ramifications .He is a great father .I attended Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo where I read Mass Communication and from where I obtained my Ordinary National Diploma(OND) in Mass Communication . My mother Ramatu Akanni is a Musician and she plays Owo Cultural Music. I am a Musician and also a Comedian.
COVID 19 GAVE BIRTH TO MY COMEDY
Asked when he started his comedy and his response is shocking , he said ”I started my comedy in March this year , officially this year 2020”Michael said he went into Comedy by accident , and no thanks to the lock down due to COVID 19 pandemic , he said ”I will say it’s a gift from God”, he continued ”during the COVID pandemic, and as an Entertainer , there is no show .I went to my home town, ,Owo one day and I went to the market to get some stuff with my mother so when I got to the market we were told it had been locked up because of COVID 19. When I got home I did the comedy in my Owo dialect about the closing of the market .Ever since the thing started booming”
GOT DRUNK AND WENT TO ANOTHER PERSON APARTMENT
”I was invited to a party by brother Nuru, and at the party I was deadly drunk and hungry.When I managed to get home I went straight to the kitchen and prepared eba and while I was warming the soup I heard my neighbour’s voice saying ‘here is the man’. That was how I was arrested by the Police officer for intruding into another man’s apartment .The fact is that I didn’t know that I went to another person’s apartment since all the buildings in the estate look alike”
SOURCES OF MY COMEDIES
Asked whether these Comedies are from his personal life experiences or from other people’s experience , but the young man said he never used other people’s life experience to act but said ” I do research always . I stay at home and think of what to do. I would just sit and think of what could make people laugh .I don’t take it personal ”
I WAS ONCE A MUSICIAN
The man who said he was a Musician from the start said he was playing Afro pop , ”I have my songs online and video but I am popular in Comedy , the Comedy made me popular in my home town in Owo , but the music made me popular in Nigeria like Lagos , but Owo did not get the music part of me”
MY HAIRSTYLE IS MY TRADE MARK
On the style on his head , Agba Oluwere said that it is his trade mark.” That is my trademark.I don’t know what is called , any time want to make my hair I would just go to the salon and ask them to do my hair for me , then they know what it should be -plaiting . On my earrings I actually wanted to do something to make me unique , to be seen and recognized. One should dress the way he wants to be addressed.Some see me as an artiste,some thought I am a footballer…..”
EMBARRASSMENT
Agba Oluwere did not deny that he faced many challenges among them is Police embarrassment and his criticisms from his friends and family members . He said , ”I face embarrassment by the Nigerian Police, from people around me even my mother did not accept my mode of dressing but she eventually accepted it.
”There was a day my mother called me and said ‘why would you be doing this with mouth open when you are a musician ?’,but I told them that this is what I love doing .I don’t want to be scamming people. i don’t want to go to the social media and be scamming .Imagine they went to the extent of calling me Agba Were, Agba Odidi ,(Mad man, Foolish old man ) I know someday they will celebrate me”
.
WHY USING OWO DIALECT
Agba Oluwere did not come out without doing his research especially on what language to use , he said ”I started using Owo dialect for I did a lot of research work and saw Lasisi Elenu from Lagos , Comedians from Ikale and Ikare .And I thought If I should be using English, will I make sense? I decided to use my native language , and I thank God it is appreciated”.
ORIGIN OF MY NICKNAME
Asked to shed light on his nickname, the young man laughed and said ”Agba means an elderly person , Oluwere means a talkative , thus the combination of the two words Agba Oluwere means an elderly man that talks too much . It was Mr. Tunde Onibode who calls me anytime I post my Comedy to Owo Kingdom platform , he would say Agba is greeting you o , and I added Oluwere. One day I called him and told him I wanted to add the Oluwere to the Agba , he accepted it , and since then I have been putting it like that . Mr. Tunde Onibode a great Owo man gave me the name”.
WATCH THE ABOVE VIDEO AND LISTEN TO OTHER STORIES ON :
….WHY MY LECTURERS CALLED ME COCK ( AKUKO)
……I ASSISTED MY FRIEND, BASSEY AND LANDED IN TROUBLE
….. COMEDY ON BABALAWO OF THE NATION
…..MESSAGE TO MY FANS
…….I HAVE BEEN STOPPED AND SEARCHED MANY TIMES BY THE POLICE
BROTHER NURU AND HIS MAGICAL RING, I WOKE UP AT THE POLICE STATION.
Parked at the frontage of the Restaurant are fleet of exotic cars . On the facing board of the building is a big signboard and boldly written on it is AFRICAN PALACE RESTAURANT & BAR . While the artworks of Caribbean Cuisine artistically displayed on the door could make one salivate as one glances at the artwork .
Assorted wine glasses , Wines and Whiskies at the Bar Section
A quick glimpse of the restaurant welcomes you to the well -designed and well- arranged banquet hall .The Restaurant furniture in the Banquet Hall are well -crafted wooden chairs. The beautiful sparkling lightnings brightens the Palace coupled with different disco colors that would remind you the Children’s rhythms of Twinkle , Twinkle Little Star…... The lights are all sparkling and producing different colors with effects .The sittings are well arranged and colorful while the aroma of their food wafted in the air as the sliding door to the kitchen was slightly opened.
Looking around one could see people of different nationalities , of different colors and races asking for African food!.African food?, Yes! with affordable prices. No wonder African -Americans are yearning to go to Africa their fatherland from where their ancestors came from.What makes African Palace Restaurant tick is a four letter word : L…..O….V …..E for African Food .
BoN during an interview with Osun
WHAT MAKES AFRICAN PALACE TICK
At the Bar section are assorted drinks (not Ogogoro) , in fact the bottles are of different shapes and colors while the contents are of different colors and taste. A self- professed Born Again Christian who claims
Bayo Ogunmolawa, Gboyega Agaun, Kofo Osun, Chief Gboyega Aruwajoye (late) and Mrs. Kike Osun at African Palace during an engagement
he does not take alcohol could be tempted if he glances at these well – designed bottles or could be attracted by the beautiful colored contents calling his attention to gulp a pint. Not only this the Wines also could make one ask for more with the way the well- crafted bottles with different designs are displayed .
On the shelves are Vodka,Gin, Rum, Tequila, Whiskey,Brandy, Beer, Vermouth,Mezcal,Irish Whiskey,Pisco, Canadian Whiskey,Schnapps among others. What of the glass cups ? A set of over 150 wine glasses are beautifully arranged upside down under cabinet and the setting could make you beg to be arranged along with it! .Yes, they are on top hanging , shining., but no, they will not fall off!…That is African Palace for you, where everything is enticing or attractive.
Prince Agaun at African Palace
According to Prince Gboyega Agaun ( aka LOBO) who describes the beauty of the Bar and said the setting of the wine glasses alone could make one ‘commit’ if one is a non -drinker , he added ” In African Palace you have different types of Glass wine like Cabernet, Burgundy, Bordeaux, Zinfandel Pinort Noir , Rose and Chardonnay which are meant for different types of wines like White, Red , Sparkling and Rose wines.You see, I love hearing the clinking of these wine glasses which thrills me” , Agaun said as he was counting them on his finger tips . The Prince who has been patronizing the restaurant for years is from Owo in Ondo State , Nigeria . He said ” this is where we entertain visitors from Nigeria, United Kingdom and all over the world , it is a super and good place to be , and I mean it because you would be satisfied with all what you need ”
Engineer Samson Adekunle Obanigba who has spent over 30 years in America and now in St.Louis said he does not bring visitors here to entertain only but also sees African Palace as a place for business meetings.He said ”apart from eating here this place is also used for Club meetings , engagements ,ceremonies and parties. My sister In-law used this Hall to to celebrate her birthday , so also my mother in law .
Engr.Obanigba
This place is a good place to be with their neatness and high standard of good quality food , it is super excellent “.
The Engineer continued ”Here at African palace you will smell local soup ( Obe Oogun, Obe Koowu, Obe itogho, Obe Efo, efo riro, pepper soup with Owo ingredients ). Here you see Amala, fufu, eba, iyan, rice, beans, dodo, among others and different types of fish. African Palace is like a good palm wine for customers who visits .After all a good palm wine needs no advertisement!”.
No wonder the name African Palace Restaurant is popular in St.Louis , State of Missouri in America.The nameAfrican Palace is synonymous with Kofo Osun. When you mention African Palace then they will mention Kofo or Koffi. The moment you enter African Palace you have arrived your native land or home!. If you are from any tribe in Africa then walk in and ask for your menu. A man from Osun state in Nigeria who begs for anonymity said ” I come here every Wednesday to take home Oka with Obe gbegiri also called abula. I am from Ogbomoso in Nigeria. The food here is fantastic and I no longer miss home again”. Julius (surname withheld) is another customer that patronizes the restaurant, he is from Benin in Nigeria .Julius said ” I eat ogha, ogbonno , along with periwinkles and pounded yam here infact this place is a -must for lovers of African food,this place is home away from home. A South African man who visits African Palace said ” I fall in love with their suya, the way Koffi ( Kofo) prepares it is spicy , it is delicious. ”
The moment you step into African Palace you have ‘arrived’ African soil as you would meet all tribes in Africa, like Yoruba, Hausa, Ibo , South, East and North Africans , but the reason is not far fetched for you would see African food such as Eba, Iyan , Amala and other African food. What of soup? They have all kinds from okra soup, vegetable, Egunsi, ogbonno, Ogha, Ugba, and other African soups cum ponmo, bush meat, snail, assorted fish and the orisirisi ( assorted meat) .
Bob Marley’s portrait
BUSY DAYS
Yes the restaurant is always full and busy from Tuesday to Sunday. On Friday night the workers are as busy as bees . Why? the answer is it is Reggae Night. On Friday you are welcome to the DJ lightnings as one could see the disco ball or mirror ball or glitter ball which reflects lights in many directions. The Dee Jay is ever ready to give you all types of Reggae music(Roots, Rock , Makkosa, Punky) with his electronic base speakers booming from all corners of the dancing Hall. African Palace have the latest Reggae Music in the world.Here Jamaican and Reggae Music lovers are seen with their dreadlocks swinging on their shoulders or descending down their backs while you heard them speaking their patois .They greet you shouting One love with their clenched fists , or give knuckles touches as a greeting while others would scream Jah Rastafari . Attend a Friday Reggae night and you would beg the Dee Jay not to stop the music.
While Waiters, Waitresses go around with smile asking customers what they would like to order from the menu , carry out is also available.
Ronnie Jones describes African Palace thus “I love African Palace . I had never tasted African food before now. One of my co-workers suggested I tried it out for he always bring African food in for himself. Not only this , their Suya is a specially prepared meat is quite good. Taste their food and you will come back again”, I must have it at least twice a week the African -American who married a Nigerian boasted, and added ” I enjoy the Friday Reggae Night, this is a place I always go to defuse my tension and relax by dancing to several Reggae music”
THE MAN, KOFO OSUN
A visitor from Nigeria came looking for one Kofo Osun for a private discussion . One of the Servers asked him to exercise patience .The visitor was shocked when he was introduced to the man who had been serving customers and pacing ups and downs, the visitor could not believe.Why? He expected the manager to be in his office, shouting and commanding .’That is the Koffi you are looking for , the owner of the African Palace.”
The visitor was shocked to his bone marrow seeing the Managing Director serving .Unlike in Nigeria where the owner would cross his legs wining and be ordering and supervising his workers , but for Kofo, he along with his co-workers worked side by side and crack jokes.
Kofo is a man of few words. While some call him Brother, others call him Uncle ,but he is called ”Koffi” by Americans, African-Americans , Indians, Mexicans and other nationalities, who pronounce his name Kofo as Koffi , a Ghanaian name. But whether you call him Koffi or Kofo he does not blink an eye , he would only tell you that ”that is how they can pronounce it ”. Kofo is from Owo, Ondo State , Nigeria.
Kofo is about five foot 10 inches tall. He is handsome and with an oval face .He is charming and loving .He smiles always like a man who wins millions of dollars from Casino always .Yes, some call him a Philanthropist , others call him a role model.He is approachable as many testified and gave testimonies of his generosity .
MY STORY
When approached , he with full smile started his story “I have spent 32 years here in America and I thank God for His mercies on me”.He continued as he gave reasons why he established the Restaurant, Why he named it African Palace, his love for his home town and why he established a sister African Palace in Akure , Ondo State , Nigeria.The reason behind his Friday Reggae Night , .Listen to him in this video.
Watching her from afar off one could take her for a man as she was dressed in Yoruba traditional male’s attire but her feminine voice and features revealed her gender. She is a stage wizard. She is a multi-lateral combination of talents. While on stage her skills and talents are displayed: chanting, singing, dancing, reciting poems and panegyrics with eyes shut as if in trance. She squeezes her face , tightens her lips, grinds her teeth as she clinches firmly on the microphone and would suddenly go on her knees and immovable as if electrocuted. Her gap tooth , complexion, voice and humility could melt a man’s heart. She is excellent in the usage of Yoruba proverbs, idioms and aphorisms.Her words cool frayed nerves. She is rich in Yoruba composition , a gifted Oral Artist and she chants Hunter’s poetry (Ijala Ode), poems and shower panegyrics at ceremonies like wedding, naming, house warming, burial among others.
Okoto Akewi
She responds to questions with proverbs and would render chants with her infectious smile .Not only this, her humility is superb inspite her talent and wealth of experience. She knows the panegyrics (oriki ) of almost all the Yoruba towns ,names, professions and what have you. She does not need to think twice or guess before she showers your oriki on you. This is the life of a 24 year-old lady who is from Owolanke family in Oyo town.
”She is a stage wizard .She is a multilateral combination of talents. While on stage she exhibits her stage craft as she chants, sings, dances,recites poems and panegyrics with eyes shut as if in trance.”
Doing her job
AT THE PALACE OF ALAAFIN OF OYO
Okoto Akewi is a household name in Oyo. She has become a brand .She is well known at the palace of Alaafin of Oyo . She is a computer wizard . Who has the gut to wake up Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III up in his palace?. Who will be in Iku Baba Yeye‘s compound and be making ‘noise’?.’
Who dares go to Alase Ekeji Orisa’s palace and be shouting on top of his voice?.No one , no one can try it except only and the only one the Okoto Akewi also known as Omo Iku Elerin who with her velvet voice would sing, chant and praise the Iku Baba Yeye , Alase Ekeji Orisa ,the second in command to God . According to her she goes to the Palace everyday to chant for Alaafin of Oyo.”I have been doing that since my secondary school days .When I was in Oyo College of Education ( Special) I used to go to the palace during our Cultural week. For the past six years I took it as a duty to be going to the Palace daily to perform, you know our Monarch loves Culture and he is the father of Yoruba Tradition and Culture. . ”, she said.
”Who has the gut to wake up Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III up in his palace?. Who will be in Iku Baba Yeye’s compound and be making ‘noise’?. Who dares go to Alase Ekeji Orisa’s palace and be shouting on top of his voice?.No one , no one can try it except only and the only one the Okoto Akewi also known as Omo Iku Elerin who with her velvet voice would sing, chant and praise the Iku Baba Yeye , Alase Ekeji Orisa ,the second in command to God”
She wakes up the Alaafin of Oyo , Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III every morning with her golden voice. When she opens her mouth and sing everybody listens .When she chant panegyrics (oriki) and shower praises on her clients they open their wallets to appreciate her .Her words is full of wisdom . She is talented, an enigma , an Historian and a promoter of Yoruba Arts and Culture and has made it globally accepted .Her voice has spread and gone international as she receives calls from United Kingdom,Australia , America and all over the world chanting and raining praises on his clients. That is the lady in Oyo who is the raving moment shaking the Ewi Industry .Welcome to the world of Ogundele Nike Suliat aka Okoto Akewi Omo ekun elerin.
Okoto Akewi at work
ITS GOD’S GIFT
She introduced herself”My name is Ogundele Nike Suliat also known as Okoto Akewi Omo Ekun Elerin. I attended Agboye Baptist Primary School Oyo, St. Bernadine Girls Grammar School Oyo . From here I proceeded to Federal College of Education (Special) Oyo, the only special school in Sub- Sahara Africa where I studied Computer Science .
I started chanting panegyrics at age five. I am now 24 years of age .My parents supported my work because it is a congenial occupation in the family .My grandfather was a Hunter chanting Ijala while my late father was also in the same profession but for one reason or the other he stopped and went into business. He died about one and a half years ago.Only my mother that is alive today .I started chanting while in primary school .I continued in secondary school, during the Cultural programme in School I used to go to the Palace to participate in the Cultural activities .
At my NCE level I was always invited to perform .So when I completed my NCE program, I went fully into it”.
Okoto Akewi’s Group
MEANING OF ‘OKOTO AKEWI’
Asked to tell the meaning of Okoto Akewi, she laughed , then shook her head as if she remembered an episode and then said ”It has deeper meaning, it is pregnant with meanings”,she continued as she spoke like a Philosopher ,”you know Life is like a game, Okoto ( Apex of a snail that cannot stand upright, a brown seed that rolls ) it is a piece of brown seed that rolls when played , it is like life , unstable and you don’t know what its result would be.It is unpredictable.Life is unpredictable , full of disappointments. That is Okoto Akewi.I have faced and experienced some things in life and I decided to have the name for my group”.
WHY I WEAR MEN’S CLOTHES
Asked why she wears male’s clothes all the time , she defended herself ”I love wearing men’s clothes because it makes me free, allows me to swing sideways and prance around on stage. It makes me to be free and easy while on stage”.She beat her chest and said ” I cannot count the number of male’s clothes I have , I have a lot and I love them all”.
OUR CULTURE IS RICH
Okoto Akewi said she didn’t know the profession would gain world acceptance as it is now , she said ”I never knew it will be generally accepted like this.I was just playing with it just doing what I enjoy doing most until it became part and parcel of me. Today many invite me to parties, naming ceremonies, wedding ceremonies and burial ceremonies ..I enjoy doing it”
She pleaded to Yoruba people and said ”Our culture is going down and we need to make sure it does not go into extinction .I thank God for everything is going on well, thank God things are working fine.We are from Oduduwa and our Culture is rich, we should take our Culture to higher height .North, South, East and West , home is the best, we should not abandon our culture for foreign one”
She gave the importance of Chanting panegyrics , according to her ”when we chant oriki, or praise you will be happy, it soothes your nerves.When a wife is angry let the husband shower oriki on her, and their differences ends, no more fighting .It is our tradition and that does not mean we are idol worshipers”
SOURCES OF MY WORK
Apart from having Ijala background, she said she goes from town to town asking elders, doing research on every Yoruba town’s panegyrics , stories and history . She said ” I travel to places, to towns and all areas in Yorubaland asking and seeking knowledge .
HOW I MAKE MY MONEY
Asked how much she charges Kabiyesi Alaafin as she goes to the palace to chant, she replied ”He is my father and the father of Yoruba Tradition and Culture, I cannot charge him but what he gives me is more than charging him. When I chant at the palace of Alaafin of Oyo , Oba Lamidi Adeyemi , father of Yoruba Tradition and Culture , Kabiyesi would just give me money, huge one, he would not count it , huge amount of money, huge money. He loves Yoruba Culture. Kabiyesi is a great Oba. If not this novel coronavirus I would have been at the Palace by now chanting .For public performance they hire us and we are ready to go to anywhere even we are ready to go to America if invited. We do charge them but I will not tell you how much I charge(burst into a prolong laughter).
MY CHALLENGES
Okoto Akewi said although she enjoys the profession but faces challenges at many of the parties she is invited to. She said “when we are invited to perform at occasions musicians would not release microphone for us to use , they see us as are sub entertainers , they don’t want to release microphone for us to use .I have been to an occasion where I was to sing or chant but was not allowed as the musician refused to give us the opportunity or release the microphone .I remember an occasion where we had been paid but did not perform yet the man who invited us did not collect the money back .So what I normally do is to tell the Celebrant to inform the musician to let them know when we are to perform”.
”When I chant in the palace of Alaafin of Oyo , Oba Lamidi Adeyemi , father of Yoruba Tradition and Culture , Kabiyesi would just give me money, huge one, he would not count it , huge amount of money, huge money. He loves Yoruba Culture.Kabiyesi is a great Oba. If not this novel coronavirus I would be at the Palace”
MY FIRST BREAK EVEN
She speaks about the first money she made ”the first money I made was in 2017 when a man sent 100,000 naira (one hundred thousand naira) to me appreciating my work .I cannot mention his name .He was the first man to do that he lives in America, the man said he appreciates my work. Another man gave me 300,000naira to appreciate my work”.On what she does with the money , she said .The first instrument I bought is Gangan, the Yoruba special drum. I bought costumes for our Entertainment Group we wear for outing .”
I AM GOING BACK TO SCHOOL
Okoto Akewi said she would soon go back to school to study Yoruba as a Course she said ”I have National Certificate in Education (NCE) in Computer Science from College of Education , Oyo Special, I am going to Obafemi Awolowo University , Ife to read Bachelor in Arts degree in Yoruba Studies in order to have more knowledge in Yoruba Culture ”
MARRIAGE
Although she is still single but quickly added that she has a boyfriend she is going out with.”I am not yet married but I am going out with a guy, I have a boyfriend who loves my work’.’.
As she finished the interview she gave a parting gift by pouring oriki on this Reporter ,
……. Orlando Owoh was beaten by the Police while sleeping
……Orlando was gifted
…….Story of Orlando’s seized 504 Car
……Meaning of my name ‘Orimipe’
HOW ORLANDO WAS ARRESTED FOR COCAINE
”I was there at the time of his arrest . I had just graduated from School of Aviation where I specialized in Ticketing , Reservation and Cargo Handling and it was three days after my graduation when the law enforcement officers came . They came to raid , everybody was running helter- skelter .They came from three stations : Moloney , Alagbon and Agege , and my father was sleeping when they arrived . There was noise .They arrested all of us and packed us into the living room . They went to wake up my father with severe beatings and in all honesty they did not know it was Orlando and when they put us together and then asked who is Orlando , my father showed up .They said they were sorry, and they said that that they could not identify him.
”They came for him because of the record he waxed on Dele Giwa who was brutally killed with a parcel bomb .They knew Orlando was smoking ganja and he even waxed records (Ganja 1,Ganja 2) in its praise ,everybody knew him for that . Their annoyance was that they did not disturb him smoking his ganja but he went ahead to wax a record on Dele Giwa ,that was the main reason why they came . They took him away .But as I told you people come to our house , and our house was like Fela’s house or Fela’s shrine.
‘He was arrested because of the album he waxed for Dele Giwa , he waxed the record that it was letter bomb that killed Dele Giwa which everybody knew .It is because of the case of Dele Giwa .There was a song Orlando sang , Kini ka ri ka ma gbodo soro, oro yi si mbo….oro yi si nbo wa dija …
”When these policemen saw me, saw Orlando’s wives and anti Shade (Nee Olagundoye) and they asked who she was , she told them she was the last wife of Orlando and they also asked who I was and I introduced myself too. They left anti Shade and myself and said they would leave us behind to take care of the house ….. it was a very long story”.
BUT THEY SAID THEY SAW COCAINE THERE
”Yes, they saw cocaine , but this is what happened :when everybody was running helter-skelter they saw little quantity in the front of my father’s house , but you know whoever they found it in his house is liable. Orlando smoked igbo,he smoke cigarette .It is true cocaine, heroine he did it before but then the time they came he had since stopped it.
THEN WHY WAS HE ARRESTED?
”He was arrested because of the album he waxed for Dele Giwa , he waxed the record that it was letter bomb that killed Dele Giwa which everybody knew .It was because of the case of Dele Giwa .There was a song Orlando sang , Kini ka ri ka ma gbodo soro, oro yi si mbo….oro yi si nbo wa dija ..., people were saying this is Orlando everybody said he was smoking weed.When he waxed record Babangida was the head of state then. Everybody knew that Orlando was smoking Igbo ,it was not new. Policemen come to our house to smoke igbo, soldiers used to come, Pastors do come , Judges, Lawyers used to come .My father sang the reality , not that he fabricated it .It was the reality of what happened in the world of ganja .
Kini ka ri ka ma gbodo soro,
oro yi si mbo….oro yi si nbo wa dija
”They said to him ‘we did not arrest you when you were smoking your weeds and did not fight you , now when something happened which is the secret from the government of which you should keep shut but you are saying ……..’ that was what they said, they had to do something about it, it was not because of Igbo or cocaine. Musese and all us us went to places.That night when he was arrested I went to tell to Owo to tell Mama ( Orlando’s mother ) what happened”.
Doctor before Doctor
”Policemen used to come to our house to smoke igbo, soldiers used to come, Pastors , Judges and Lawyers used to come .My father sang the reality , not that he fabricated it .It was the reality of what happened in the world of ganja ”
Orlando smoking his ganja
”We were in Court one day expecting Orlando to be released , but not then they said one head of state called them that instead of taking his case to court he should be taken to Tribunal , we all waited but .. then he was taken from Tribunal to Kirikiri. Usually they should have taken him to Alagbon or ..but the then head of State …… who was….. The Judge in charge then adjourned the case then that was how we were ….until God came to discharge and acquit him.”
WHAT ORLANDO TOLD ME ABOUT WOMEN
Orimipe said Orlando counseled him on marriage, he said ”My father called me one day and said ‘Orimipe , I want to give you a good advise , don’t have harem of wives and don’t have one wife .It is poverty (Osi) that makes a man to have one wife and it is a cursed person or person with bad head (Oloriburuku) that makes a man to have harem of wives. Don’t have harem of wives and don’t have one wife’, he counseled me . I went to ask my mother the meaning of what he said .My mother defended the philosophy and said that it is poverty that makes a man to have one wife while a man with many wives is cursed.
”Then my journey in life landed me into it .I did not marry when I was in Nigeria and when I came to Chicago , here in America I married a lady here. The lady gave me a child , he is my carbon copy . Later in life we quarreled and we parted and I remarried. One day Orlando’s words came into my mind . Today I cannot say that I have one wife ,no, because two women had children for me .And I did not have harem of wives as he strongly advised me against it .So I am in the middle as he wanted me to be in the middle” .
Taiwo Abiodun during an interview with the late Musician’s mother
MEANING OF MY NAME ‘ORIMIPE’
Asked to tell the meaning of his middle name, Orimipe, the man burst into laughter and asked this reporter to pronounce the name again, ‘Orimipe’ . He then said ”A pe mora eni la npe temidire ( You attribute good things to yourself). My father said ‘whose head is not correct?, who would say his own head is not correct?’. He said when I was born he was at the war front where they were shelling bombs, he said he was in danger zone and was bitter but when they announced my birth to him it became a mixture or combination of good and bad , Bitter and sweet, he then told them that ‘as at now my head is correct right now’ , Orimipe .That was how the name came out. Whoever knows his head is not correct should now say so”.
TROUBLES MY FATHER FACED WHEN ALIVE
Orimipe said his father , Orlando faced a lot of challenges ,”His problems were many, when I was young he told me stories. The Alagbon problem is one of them. As I knew he had gone to the hospital and cleared his system , detoxified drug from his system and was not doing it again.When they came they entered my room and searched for drug but they found nothing . It is true he had done such thing before but he had stopped, and flushed it out from his system. He was sleeping when they raided , you will remember the song he waxed ”Oju orun ni mo wa mo ngba siesta mi lo, igbaju ni won fi ji mi loju orun o, nitori gbaana”, it is true he was sleeping when they came .But when they came they rough handled everybody and were beating all, his case is like Jesus Christ among his disciples you will not know him, until he is introduced. When Orlando was with his people or among his Band members if you don’t know him you will be asking for Orlando and he will quietly leave and it could be Baba Osenepen or my brother Elvis or Baba Musese or anybody who would then ask who they are looking for and if it is an important thing we would then call Orlando.You know how they do in Nigeria.That was it then .They all came from Alagbon, Moloney, Agege, later they said they were sorry, but had beaten him to a pulp.
HOW WAS HIS SPIRIT WHEN ARRESTED
”Nobody would leave his house and stay in other places and be comfortable , West, East, North and South home is the best. His case was like the Parrot the enemies dipped its feather into the palm oil in order to be stained but the palm oil added beauty to its features and it came out more beautiful. With the Alagbon’s case God turned his case to the best. God had a purpose and wanted to keep him for a while. At last he was freed at the Supreme Court”.
I knew he had gone to the hospital and cleared his system , detoxified drug from his system and was not doing it again. When they came they entered my room and searched for drug but they found nothing . It is true he had done such thing before but he had stopped, and flushed it out from his system. He was sleeping when they raided , you will remember the song he waxed ”Oju orun ni mo wa mo ngba siesta mi lo, igbaju ni won fi ji mi loju orun o, nitori gbaana’
Orimipe with his friends singing in Chicago,USA
WHENEVER YOU REMEMBER THE MAN AT THE HELM OF AFFAIRS OF THE COUNTRY THEN HOW DO YOU FEEL
”At my age I cannot lie , I am not happy with him , though if I see him there is nothing I will do, God knows everything .He (Orlando) came out alive,he was discharged and acquitted and for the main fact that he ( the head of ….) planned such thing was not a good thing . He was called President then , he was a military man and called himself President , he did all these .Its like going into the Lion’s den and came out .Each time I remember this I feel bad, I have forgiven him ,I have forgiven him.”
OGEDENGBE/OLADIMEJI 504 CAR
Reminded about the car impounded by Orlando’s friend when he defaulted , Orimipe said ”They were all friends then ,the story is true but it is sad. Whenever something happened to him God wanted to bless him and let his glory shine . When he was bluffed about the car, Orlando went to buy that type of same Brand, color and the number of the first car was 1111 and the second one was 4111, it was a Peugeot 504 then. Baba Die The Matter was there then he also assisted my father, he knew about it.God will just raise Orlando’s glory when something happened to him . Orlando purchased the car from his friend a Car dealer and because he defaulted to pay as at the time he should , the car was seized .It was a Peugeot 504 with the registration number 1111 while he bought another new one and of same brand, colour and registered number as 4111.God has been kind to Orlando.That was when he sang ” Ogedengbe.. O gbe mi lori esin…..”
Orimipe delivering a speech in America
MY BROTHER DIED AT 52
Orimipe said he is sad when he heard the news of the death of his half- brother about two years ago. In his words , he said ”I cried when I heard the news of the death of my brother , Sunday.Her mother is my father’s wife and she is also my mother .I feel for Sunday’s mother, it is painful that her son, Sunday died .But what ought to be done should be done. Sunday was very close to me same thing with all other younger ones.They are all married and in their matrimonial homes now.
.
Sunday’s mother
I asked a friend to help me to be doing the needful for the boy ”
Asked his best music in Orlando’s album, Orimipe sang A mbe laye , alaiye nsaye lo , ti a ba tun kuro nibe..mo ti se won ti mo le see ( crying)
MY FATHER WAS A MILLIONAIRE
”I would say he was a millionaire, my father did not believe until you have 10 million naira before he helped you .He never begged before he died . Orlando’s house was free what he would not not accept is armed robbers .He would not eat alone , you will eat from same plate ,that is what I learnt from him that is what we call a rich man and that you have millions ,that is what we call eniyan laso mi (human beings provide the body of a more protective covering than clothes ever will ).That is why the honour and dignity he had was more than money”
Asked his best music in Orlando’s album, Orimipe sang :A mbe laye , alaiye nsaye lo , ti a ba tun kuro nibe..mo ti se won ti mo le see (crying)
APPEARS IN MY DREAM
”Yes, several times ,he used to appear in my dream that is what I am saying that he should be resting , when it is time we would do the needful’
Taiwo Abiodun during an interview with the late Orlando
WHERE ARE ORLANDO’S BAND MEMBERS
”His members are still alive.I have two brothers singing at home, Daisi and Duro.I don’t know why they did not get along with them I am still trying to make effort to do that. Even if they don’t for play us again we should call them and celebrate them in remembrance of our father”.
DIE THE MATTER AND APATA
” Apart from being my father’s friends , they are those I also know as my fathers. Anywhere I was , if I got broke they would give me money .It is what they give their children they also gave me.I remember when Kabiyesi Apata insisted that I must go back to school when I was about to go my final year exam in secondary school, Apata stood up and asked what I was doing at home, and he said ‘Orlando come ‘, and he counted some money and handed over to Chief Osennepen who in turn gave me and asked me to e go back to school .These fathers assisted me . Chief Osenepen was my father’s manager and his right hand man.Anywhere u see Orlando you will see him same with Musese. We all did a lot during the Alagbon episode, he was the PRO , he did great.
”They are my fathers , I thank them very well for taking care of my granny, I pray to be able to pay them back .They all stood by my father , it is a different thing to say one is a friend when alive and dead , they are great friends of my father”.
SHADE THE LAST WIFE OF BABA, AND VERY POPULAR
”She was my father’s wife, and the respect I gave my mother is what I gave her. Now let me tell you this story ,if you have the opportunity ask if you can go to these people ask whether its true or false.
Shade ( Nee Olagundoye)
”One day I was at home with Baba Osenenpen, anti Shade who was my father’s wife , Mummy Niyi -(anti Funke ), Anti Muibat [mummy Tope ] these four people with my brother , Elvis and his wife , we were many in a room, Osenepen was asked to call me , and I came and my father was lying down , and he said ‘if anything happen to me , if I die .. , these are my wives which one would you take care of ?’. I responded ” God forbid , we will all be in this house and they will all take care of their children”.Baba Chief then praised me , but my father said what he meant was which among them will I marry ? And I said ‘ha , it is forbidden a son does not have s… relationship with his mother , eewo” .I said your wife is your wife , it cannot be my wife, that would be ……. I said no. I thought he was going to say I was stubborn and that I might send them away when he is gone, but he said and meant another thing ”
THE OJOS’ ORLANDO’S ALBUM
”There are many Ojooos, he sang their praises …that Ojo di meji sodo mi ( Ojo has now become two in my domain). His younger ones who are bearing Ojo are three , so I cannot know the real Ojo since he did not finish the name Ojo”.
………I’m coming home to exhume my father’s remains …
………What my father told me
He looks every inch like his late father Oladipupo Olaore Owomoyela the African Kennery, Dr. Orlando Owoh. Orimipe Owomoyela DihardOne’s voice , boldness in speaking the truth and hitting the nail on the head, native intelligence , Solomonic wisdom cum his humility are all what he inherited from his father . He is witty as he cracks jokes .His words are rich in proverbs and anecdotes .He could speak English ,Yoruba and Owo dialect fluently . In spite the fact that The President of Kenneries Music and Films Ltd DihardOne ORIMIPE OLUSESI OWOMOYELA has spent over 20 years in America , he did not allow the American accent reflect in his voice .Orimipe did not forget his roots and land of his birth. He said he is proud of his native land as he speaks Owo dialect undiluted.He spoke with Taiwo Abiodun in America .
WHY I AM SAD
Orimipe Owomoyela is pained. DiHardOne is angry . Olusesi is sad .DihardOne did not only show it but voiced it out. He said ”I am not happy that my father, Dr.Orlando Owoh left his aged mother behind” but apart from this he lamented ”above all I am not happy that my father was buried in Lagos instead of his hometown, Ifon”. He has vowed that until the needful is done the late musician’s (Orlando Owoh) spirit will not rest until his remains is taken to his country home , Ifon to rebury, then his soul will rest.
WHY I WAS ABSENT FROM HOME
He started , and said ” My name is Orimipe Olusesi Owomoyela also known as DihardOne. I am the first child of Orlando Owo.I live in Chicago in America . I have been here for over 21years”. On why he has been away from home for a long time , and on why he did not come home for his father’s burial, the Scion of the Musical family replied with a proverb ”A woman does not bear the name ‘Kumolu’ without a reason . I came with my late father to America in 1998 and I decided to stay behind . Many things had happened, a lot of water has passed under the bridge but I thank God for everything.
WHAT MY FATHER TOLD ME BEFORE HE DIED
Despite the fact that Orimipe was thousands of miles away from home he was still in contact with his late father when alive . He said he was communicating with him on phone for he loved Orlando so much till death took him away on November 4,2008 .He said ” I felt sad when I heard the news about my father’s death .The family members did the normal burial ceremony .Earlier before his death every month I used to send money to my late father as a son’s filial duty to his father. I called him one day and asked him whether he was the only one at home and he said ‘Yes’. The mistake I made was that I did not record his voice which could have been an evidence for me today.I only spoke with him without recording his voice .I told him our discussion was about father and son.
”You see when my mother died I could not come home and when he (my father ) was sick I couldn’t come again. Nevertheless we were always communicating on phone .During one of our conversations he told me that once a man and twice a child .He said he was once my father but then I had become his own father too and whatever I say should be accepted and taken serious and be obeyed since I am the first child. I never knew he could leave before his mother because his mother is still alive .I asked him what should be done if anything happened to him ( death) . Mind you, as at that time I had not perfected my residence papers in America. And he advised me that I should make sure I have all my papers before ever coming back home. Only God knows the time and he said If I did not get what I wanted I should not come back home but should send voice note home. But I asked him if anything happened to him what should we do?. He said his prayer was to bury his mother and when the house which was under construction in Ifon, his home town is completed he wished to relocate there.He also said that when his mother dies he would like to bury his mother in his house in Ifon”.
Orimipe continued ”my father said he had told his mother that when she dies he would like her to be buried in Ifon and when he too dies he should be buried by the side of his mother’s grave. My late father instructed me to tell the family and I did . Unfortunately I had not seen what I was looking for then(Residence papers). I sent message home that he should be taken to Ifon in his house and be buried there.Unfortunately I had not seen what I was looking for , so I stayed behind .Although my brothers and sisters performed the normal rites but he(Orlando) was buried in Lagos. I don’t believe he has been buried . He has not rested .I know my father very well , he was a mysterious (abami) man. With that if a man does the rightful thing he would see signs and if one does a wrong he would see it too… I was very furious to them at first . This time there are no more quarrels .There are corrections to be made if there are mistakes ,there are remedies or corrections to be made.”
I WILL EXHUME ORLANDO’S BONES FOR REBURIAL
Asked to buttress his point on the ”correction to be made”, he made mention, Orimipe laughed and said ” You want me to nail it on the head?. I am saying that if it is 20years or 20months whenever I come back home I will exhume his body and take it to Ifon to bury. If it is only one bone that remains in that grave I will exhume it and rebury his bones. If they ask who has the right to change his words it is me the first child that has the right and if they also ask who has the right to remove the curse it is also me that has the right to revoke all the curses .When it is time I will do it.”
I AM ALSO A MUSICIAN
Does he play music like his father too?, this reporter asked and he replied in his usual manner with proverb saying ”A child takes semblance of his father. I am playing music and have waxed three albums .I waxed Tribute to my Father (Kennery Transformation ) the second one is Echo of an Orphan, I am an orphan and I was born with words so it is like weeping or groaning on what happened to me and I called it Uleleje,it is a compilation of many things that happened to me , the Yoruba would say – arokan oun lo nfa ekun aida .
I EAT EWE OLA NOT IGBO LIKE MY FATHER
Since a son takes after his father, he is asked again whether he smokes ganja like his late father. He responded as he gave a hysterical laughter and said ”in Yoruba they call it igbo, you see God created herbs and plants, but we use them differently .I don’t smoke hemp or igbo but I eat ewe ola”
He continued ”It depends on how one uses it . Some would wrap and smoke it , some use it as medicine . Where it is legalized , it is for medicinal purposes that is why it is legalized. Some are not used to it but it is from its (igbo)’blood’ we were born .It cannot affect me but I eat it. I don’t smoke igbo or cigar but I chew it , I make tea out of it , make it as agbo,herbs, I can chew it because it works in the body. It destroys the lungs of those smoking it. I see nothing bad in it ,but should be used in a good way”, he emphasized.
MY FATHER’S WIVES
He said ”All my father’s wives from the oldest to the youngest wife, Shade are my mothers .Any right and respect I can give my mother the same I give to them.There could have been misunderstanding before but now things are running smoothly. We have settled our differences . They are expecting me to come home”.
WHAT MY GRANNIES TAUGHT ME
On what makes him to be humble he said that is how he was raised. He however shed light on his good behaviour and humility. He said ”You know we came from different background , I am from Ifon,if you ask my father’s wives they will tell you about me, they will vouch for my character and my humility .I was trained by my grannies, I grew up under them . I will never be rude to anybody . I grew up under my grandparents and they did not teach me to be rude to old people but to respect them. My father trained us to respect elders and I later on found out in life that humility pays . I will tell you one story….”
BoN standing by Elvis Presley’s statue in Memphis, America
While parents pray that their children should bury them and never to have their children buried before their very eyes. But Man proposes , God disposes. It is unfortunate that some Musicians like Michael Jackson, Bob Marley , Peter Tosh , Michael Jackson, Dagrin, Orlando Owoh among others left behind their parents .
Elvis PresleyKingof Rock and Roll died on August 16, 1977 while his father, Vernon Presley died on June 26, 1979(two years after the death of his son).
James Brown
The World Reggae King Bob Marley died on May 11, 1981 leaving his mother, Cedella Booker who died on April 8,2008 , that is 27years after.
Bob Marley’s statue
Marvin Gaye was shot dead by his father on April 1, 1984 while his father died on October 10,1998.
Peter Tosh was shot dead on September 11, 1987 by some robbers in his house in Jamaica leaving his mother, Ms Coke behind who later died at the age of 96 on October 29,2013.
Luther Vandross the R & B legend died on July 1,2005 while his mother, Mary Ida Vadross died on April 15,2008. King of Pop Music, Michael Jackson died on June 25,2009 while his father, Joe Jackson died in June 27,2018.Wacko Jacko’s mother is still alive.
Teddy Pendagrass died on January 13,2010 and his mother Ida Geraldine Epps died at 92 on May 11,2018.
James Brown
Whitney Houston died on February 11,2012 while her mother Cissy Houston is still alive .
Afeni Shakur mother of TUPAC died on May 3, 2016.She lived 20 years after her son Tupac Shakur an American rapper was killed on September 13, 1996.
Back home
Gbenga Adeboye( aka Fun won tan) died on April 30, 2003, his mother Madam Rebeca Tinuola died in August 3, 2013, 10 years after her son died.
Roland Olubola (aka Baba Ara) died on September 10, 2004 leaving his parents behind .
Oladapo Olaitan Olaonipekun (aka Dagrin) died on the April 22, 2010 in an auto accident .The rapper’s parents are still alive kicking!
Orlando Owoh’s mother is still alive and she is around 110 years as many presumed while her son died on November 8, 2008.
Today, Michael Jackson ,Bob Marley, James Brown, Elvis Presley, Peter Tosh, and all other notable musicians have statues erected honouring them and in fact books are written about them in their respective countries and homes. Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s statue is erected at Ikeja.Where is Orlando Owoh’s statue?
?????????????????????
ORLANDO OWOH’S STATUE
Ojo Ibrahim complained bitterly that Orlando’s statue is becoming too late to be erected. He said ” What is wrong with our people ?. Are his friends bad or so poor or is it politics? It is a pity Orlando seems not to have any friends. Please don’t tell me these people are waiting for the family before they can do anything.I am sad”
Another fan of Orlando said ” my brother , so nobody in Owo can assist to erect his statue? It is a shame ”.
Apart from Orlando’s statue it is high time we honoured our Musicians like Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Epo Akara, Baba ‘Legba, Sony Okosun ,Kokoro, Ayinla Omowura among others by erecting their statues in their towns and naming centres and streets after them .
We are appealing to family members, fans and friends especially Die the Matter, Oba Francis Apata and other friends to rescue the situation. However hands are on deck as Adewuyi Folaranmi Adegbite is set to launch Orlando’s book soon.
I thought Orlando would bury me
Mama Morenike Owomoyela is the mother of the late Musician , Orlando Owoh who died 11years ago at the Lagos State University Hospital, on November 4, 2008 after a brief illness. Mama spoke about Orlando’s friends and his surviving wives.
According to Mama Morenike, her son was a bundle of talent before death took away her joy, she said ” I thought she would be the one to bury me but contrary is the case. It is painful , I now pray for his children to bury me”.
On Orlando’s friends, the centenarian praised his friends like Oba Ipe , His Royal Highness Oba Francis Apata and Die the Matter who have been of great help to her and faithful friends of her son since his exit. She said ” the two friends of Orlando are really taking care of me .If you had come earlier you would have seen him. I went to his house , he gave me money and he had just dropped me off here”.She also spoke about Oba Francis Apata of Ipesi , ” Oba Francis Apata used to come here and not with empty hand but always with foodstuff. That is where he used to sit with me (pointing) not minding that he is a royal father. I really thank both of them for taking care of me”, the old woman said.
ORLANDO’s WIVES ARE WONDERFUL
Mama spoke about the wives Orlando left behind, as she is full of praise for them she said ” the wives of Orlando are in their husband’s ( Orlando) house. They do come here to check on me ,they have been nice and good to me. I really thank them”.
Though Mama is not happy that Orlando was buried in Lagos contrary to his wish , but what could she do?. According to the wives of the deceased, Orlando was buried where he instructed them to bury him and investigation reveals that some of his friends and fans were not happy over this issue.
While his music is played everyday on radio, Mama said she cries anytime she listens to it , ” Yes, I used to cry while listening to Orlando’s music being played on raido.. and each time I listened to the track he dedicated to me… E ba mi ki Morenike , iye t’eja…iye mi a di b’imi (Greet my mother, Morenike the fish monger, if we reincarnate again she will be my mother ), I feel like crying .”
Ganja and Orlando
While the mother confirmed that her son smoked ganja, his wives too confirmed it and Mama said she was aware that her late son smoked Ganja which she never supported . ”What did she do to stop him?”, she replied “I used to advise him to stop smoking Igbo, I even went extra mile to prepare agbo (herbs/concotion ) for him to make him stop it but he did not take the concoction, he would argue that if he didn’t smoke it he would not have the energy to play and sing”.
When asked to guess her age , she shook her head and said it is difficult to know(since there was no record of birth during her time ) but she mentioned her friends like Caroline Oladoyin Abiodun, Mrs. Asagba, Madam Eunice. Adenike who have all gone , that is why I am saying I am willing to die .There is nothing more I am doing on the earth, she said.
On whether she knew her late son would be great , she replied with total humility that she never knew. ”I thank God thatt I had no intention to abort his pregnancy then , he became great in the end”.
,
Orlando
Mama’s wish is to be buried at the cemetery for she fervently believe in God and also the Mama Ijo of St.Andrew’s Anglican Church.She is however treated well as Church Bus is being used to convey her to church every sunday and she attested to this.
But where does she want to be buried when God calls her home today?, she replied ”I want to be buried at the cemetery where my people slept, that is my wish ” she said as she emphasized.
Who dares go to Alase Ekeji Orisa’s palace and be shouting on top of his voice?.No one , no one can try it except only and the only one the Okoto Akewi also known as Omo Iku Elerin who with her velvet voice would sing, chant and praise the Iku Baba Yeye , Alase Ekeji Orisa ,the second in command to God . According to her she goes to the Palace everyday to chant for Alaafin of Oyo.”I have been doing that since my secondary school days .When I was in Oyo College of Education ( Special) I used to go to the palace during our Cultural week. For the past six years I took it as a duty to be going to the Palace daily to perform, you know our Monarch loves Culture and he is the father of Yoruba Tradition and Culture.
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only show it but voiced it out. He said ”I am not happy that my father, Dr.Orlando Owoh left his aged mother behind” but apart from this he lamented ”above all I am not happy that my father was buried in Lagos instead of his hometown, Ifon”. He has vowed that until the needful is done the late musician’s (Orlando Owoh) spirit will not rest until his remains is taken to his country home , Ifon to rebury, then his soul will rest. 
THE BRIDEGROOM AND ERIDE’S PARENTS