Fuji Remains Original Nigerian Music Brand - Participants At Goldberg Forum Say

(L-R) Abolore Adigun (9ice), a popular Hip Hop musician; Patrick Olowokere, Corporate Communications/Brand PR Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc;Olawale Obadeyi, a notable Fuji analyst and Poet; Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager & Stout Brands; Nigerian Breweries Plc; Sikiru Ayinde Agboola (a.k.a SK Sensation), Chairman, National Project Committee of the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria; and Funso Ayeni, Senior Brand Manager, Mainstream Lager, NB;  at the maiden Fuji Roundtable, powered by Goldberg Lager Beer, an event held at the headquarters of NB in Lagos on Monday    

Participants at the maiden edition of the Fuji Roundtable, powered by Goldberg Lager Beer, from the stable of Nigerian Breweries Plc, have described Fuji music as the only Nigerian music brand that is devoid of foreign contamination. They therefore identified the genre of music as a unifying factor for Yorubas living in the western part of Nigeria and beyond. As a result, they agreed that the music deserves due attention and concerted efforts towards taking it to the next level.

The participants, who converged in Lagos on Monday at the event held at the corporate headquarters of Nigerian Breweries, include: Sikiru Ayinde Agboola (a.k.a SK Sensation), Chairman, National Project Committee of the Fuji Musicians Association of Nigeria; Akogun Gani Balogun, cousin to the late Fuji Legend, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister; Olasoju Adebayo, Genaral Manager, K1 De Ultimate Band; and Olawale Obadeyi, a Fuji analyst.

They unanimously agreed that Fuji music has, over the years, contributed to the socio-cultural development of Yorubas in the region and beyond.

In his keynote address, Olawale Obadeyi, traced the origin of this genre of music to the period when Were, the local brand of music was in vogue among the Muslim faithful. He acknowledged that the music has grown astronomically over the years featuring different artistes who have contributed in different dimensions to its development.

He said the innovations brought into Fuji by those artistes have deepened ties across boundaries in the region. “Each Fuji artiste, evidently, is pushing the limits of creativity. The horizon of Fuji music has been astoundingly widened”, he stated.  

Obadeyi noted that Goldberg had appropriated Fuji music as a veritable platform through which cultural values could be used to validate the essence of Yorubas living in the region and beyond.

Sikiru Agboola, who corroborated him, advised Fuji musicians and other stakeholders in the country to take the music to the next level. According to him, it is the only surviving genre of music that has its origin in Nigeria and deserves concerted efforts from stakeholders to profer possible ways through which it could be developed. His words: “It is the duty of all stakeholders to take the music to the next level.”

He therefore, commended Goldberg Lager Beer for the support it gives to the music. Agboola said the support by Goldberg is second to none and should be emulated by other companies in the country.

For Balogun, the late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister did enough to put Fuji in the right perspective before his demise. According to him, he provided a platform for stakeholders to prosper; as a result he said his advice for every beneficiary is to ensure the music is given due support every time.

In his opening remarks at the programme, Emmanuel Agu, Portfolio Manager, Mainstream Lager and Stout brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc; said the importance of music to any country cannot be over-emphasised. According to him, the role of music in nation building is monumental as it fuels the mind and the creativity of listeners.

His words: “Music transcends all boundaries of communication. Music and its rhythm define our humanity considering the universality and essentiality beyond language barrier. I believe it is important for one to have an open mind in order to be in touch with that sense of understanding. Music cannot be separated from our socio-cultural life and as such it is a social connector which has the power to suggest circumstances, moods, and moments. It has general appeal to human senses.”

Agu said that Fuji music exerts a strong influence on the social life of the Yorubas. He stated that through the music foreigners can easily feel and connect with the culture of the Yoruba people. The influence that Fuji music exerts on the social life of the Yorubas is therefore very strong irrespective of their locations.

Giving the rationale for the event, the Portfolio Manager said the company always strives to champion, promote and associate with the culture of its host communities. His words: “This is what Goldberg has been doing with its initiative of Fuji t’o Bamsince 2012 when it inaugurated the concept. We respect people’s cultures and values.”

He stated that the Goldberg Fuji t’o Bam initiative has successfully brought to life the twin socio-cultural tradition of companionship and celebration. “The initiative readily identifies and celebrates the rich musical tradition of sustaining the cultural values of the people in the region. The indigenous musical platform, which is currently in its fourth edition, had in the last three editions led to the discovery of budding Fuji talents and artists.

“I have strong conviction that our gathering here today would in no small way help in contributing ideas to the development of the Fuji music and the culture of the Yoruba people,” he stated.