set to launch rebound album in Nov

By Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The legendary Fuji Musician, Kolawole Rasaq Ilori, popularly known as General Kollington Ayinla, has disclosed how his foray into the Nigerian Army had helped him to start his illustrious musical career.

Kollington made the disclosure while fielding questions from journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, ahead of the release of his new album titled, “Anu-Nla”.

The topnotch musician, who was an ex-soldier, narrated how he was taught music in the Nigerian Army which had today influenced his successful career in the musical industry.

He said: “There was a day in the Army, a senior officer came to our company and started calling some names, which included my name. I was so scared and confused upon hearing my name because I thought we were going to be punished.

“As we came out, we were asked to march to a place called ‘B’ company, upon getting there, they told us to go inside a hall where we saw an array of musical instruments of different kinds.

“We were instructed to pick the instrument each of us can play but I was left confused because I didn’t know how to play any musical instrument. But suddenly my attention was drawn to a strange flute, I tried my best to play it but I was unable to do so. However, I was assisted by a soldier who saw me struggling with the flute.

“After some time, they started teaching us music in a class with a blackboard and we were writing notes, it was as if we were in school and that was how we were taught the rhythm of Music,” he said.

Ayinla also spoke extensively on how he joined the Army saying: “I joined the Nigerian Army in the year 1967 in Abeokuta depot at Lafenwa area. I went there just to visit my friends who were in the Army but I was impressed when I saw the men in uniform, marching on the field, the sight of this really heightened my interest in joining the force.

“Despite my interest, I had stumbling blocks in the form of my height and my age, I was shorter than the required height and also younger than the age of requirement, in fact, my friends in the Army were not optimistic about my chances of getting admitted into the Army.

“Despite the efforts to discourage me, I made an effort to get into the Army, I went to the recruiting field where we were asked to form a queue and we were interviewed one after another, the head of the recruitment was late RSM Rasheed.
I was really anxious while I was in the queue because I know my chances of getting into the Army were very slim especially seeing applicants that are much taller than I am being rejected, but I still remained determined and optimistic, though I was afraid that the soldiers might beat me up.

“When it got to my turn, I was so nervous when I was asked to approach the interviewer. He asked for my name and age, I told him my name is Kolawole Ilori but I got confused while stating my age due to nervousness and besides, I’m well aware that I’m too young to be in the Army. The man said he noticed that I’m truly interested in joining the Army, so, he just said ‘Pass’ but I was confused about what that truly meant. I was later told to go and sit under a tree where my hair was shaved and thereafter they gave me uniforms and gears.

“Thereafter, we were led to the dormitory, in the course of all these, I started getting anxious, I started questioning my choice of joining the Army because I was only attracted by the beautiful and smart outfit of the men I saw on the field but I wasn’t really prepared for the stress that came with it,” he narrated.

The legendary Fuji Musician also narrated how disappointed he was for not being posted to fight in the frontline during the Nigerian Civil War due to his involvement in music, saying: ‘I was disappointed when I was told that I’m being retained in the musical section of the Army though my desire was to fight in the frontline in the Civil War. I wasn’t happy with the decision by the Army’.

“I had no choice but to stay in the musical section. Besides, the battlefield is not a pleasant place to be. Maybe the decision that made me stay in the barrack might have been a reason for my being alive till date because I could have been killed,” he said.

Kollington also spoke on how he influenced his friend and arch rival in the music industry, the late Fuji Guru, Sikiru, Ayinde Barrister into joining the Nigerian Army, saying:
“When my friend (Ayinde Barrister) visited me in the Barrack, he was asking me questions on how I got into the Army and I narrated the story to him, he thereafter told me that he is also interested in joining the Army.

“After he had become a frequent visitor at the Barrack, coming to visit me every week because he was fascinated by the military atmosphere, I had to encourage him to make the bold move to join the Military and he did.”

When asked to make comparison between the impacts of music then and now, General Kollington, said, “there is no basis to compare the two.

“You know when you try to put our commitments to churning out current affairs lyrics, with the mindset to correct the flaws in the society but the case is quite different now, even when you tried to correct some of them, they would quickly tag you old school. In real fact, things are getting worse through some of these songs”, he posited.

Showing his appreciation, General Kollington thanked the Governors of Lagos, Ogun and Kwara States for their supports to revive him when he was down with sickness, not forgetting several individuals, and array of fuji and other musicians, who contributed large sums to safe him.

“I want to thank all Nigerians, particularly my governors of Lagos, Ogun and that of my home State, Kwara who stood by me when I even thought it was over before Almighty Allah revived me by His mercy. I can’t forget the contributions and supports of all my children in the music industry, particularly the fuji musicians, they were committed to seeing me alive for longer time. Also several individuals from home and abroad, were not left out in my appreciation. Thank you for your love, he added.

Meanwhile, General Kollington Ayinla is set to announce his return to the music stage with launching of a new album titled “ANU-NLA, at an event organised in his honour tagged “Celebration of an Icon and album listening party” with the legendary King Sunny Ade (KSA) hosting the event and also be on Band Stand at Eko Club Surulere, Lagos on Wednesday, 13th of November.

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu will be hosting his counterparts from Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun and the Kwara State Governor, Mallam Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq.
Several notable individuals across various professions are also expected at the event, they include; Prof. Yusuf Olaolu Ali, SAN, the Kuliyan of Ilorin Emirate; Dr Kamorudeen Yusuf, GMD/CEO, Kam Holding Nigeria, among others.