Ijebu-Ijesha Honours IK Dairo, Orlando Julius and Chris Ajilo
‘We are blessed To have These Icons’- Oba Moses Agunsoye
Sir Isaac Kehinde Dairo the Juju music supremo known as I.K Dairo along with veteran Highlife singer, Pa Chris Ajilo and saxophonist and exponent of Afro soul and Afro beat, Orlando Julius and his American wife, Latoya were recently honoured by the people of Ijebu-Ijesha, the Osun State community where they hail from.
While Pa Ajilo who will be 90 years old in 2020 and the Julius Ekemodes were given life achievement award and chieftaincy titles. The ceremony attracted visitors and guests of the honourees as Dairo’s sons, Victor Ademola and Adedotun, senior brothers of Paul Play Dairo, received the post humous award on behalf of their father.
The Elegboro of Ijebu-ijeshaland, HRM Oba (Engr) Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye, Abikehin-Ekun Agunsoye ll of Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa stated that he deemed it fit to honour I K Dairo even in death for the honour they have bought to the town.
For students of history and followers of Juju music, I K Dairo was a revolutionary musician who made the use of combining the accordion with guitar and percussion popular. It is note worthy that Dairo, whose musical prowess transcended his generation was honoured with a Member of the British Empire, MBE, by the Queen Elizabeth of England in 1963.
Oba (Engr) Moses Oluwafemi speaking in Ijesha dialect said that he was full of gratitude for the opportunity to honour the illustrious sons of the community who had made impact in music and other endeavours. He stated, “We are honouring Dr Orlando Julius Ekemode and his wife, Latoya because of their immense contribution to the arts and music globally and lifting the music life of our people here since he relocated here for years now. Latoya who is not a Nigerian is like Ruth in the Bible who decided to live with her husband and make meaningful impact. We are happy that Ijebu-Ijesha is on the global map because of these men- I.K Dairo and even Pa Chris Ajilo. Hearing their citations teaches us all to release our giftings and potentials no matter the daunting challenges as we have heard of how Dr Orlando Julius Ekemode despite his family’s perception of his choice, went ahead to do music.
“Today is indeed historic for us all in Ijebu-Ijesha as we honour musical legends of Egboroland. A lifetime Achievement awards went to Pa Chris Ajilo, Pa Adejuyigbe Awotunde, Late Pa Sunday Akunmudan, Late Pa Daniel Onimole (Lekeleke), Late Pa Jossy Komolafe (Egeko System), Late Pa Samson Aderogba”.
Receiving the award on behalf of his late father, Victor Ademola Dairo thanked the Elegboro of Ijebu-ijeshaland, stating that though his father’s image looks large, he was a humble man that wanted to better the lot of people hence the estate he built for his band members in Ijebu-Ijesha. “My father will be happy in heaven this day. I thank his HRM Oba (Engr) Moses Oluwafemi Agunsoye for this honour as it has inspired us to also impact more lives like daddy,” he said.
Speaking more on how he remembers his father , Mr Dairo said his father was generous and a very religious man would not hear of his children and family not going to church on Sundays.
“Dad was a generous man and supported many people within and without. He was also religious. Dad was instrumental in the Unification of the Cherubim & Seraphim churches and he spent a lot of his money and Goodwill to ensure C&S remained one and forged ahead. That was why they called him Baba Aladura. We his children see how difficult to fill his shoes and they ate big. But we are doing well in our own way,” says the musician and graphic designer.