IS LATE FUJI MUSIC CREATOR, BARRISTER'S LEAD DRUMMER, DEROJU ONILU, NOW WITH SHEFIU ALAO?

Anyone familiar with the music of late Fuji music creator/legend, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, should also be familiar with the name Alhaji Yekini Aderoju better known as Deroju Onilu. Deroju Onilu was the lead drummer to Barrister's band for many years till the Fuji music maestro passed on some years back. And since the death of his boss, not much was heard of Deroju Onilu beyond the fact that he later became the President of the Association of Performing Drummers Of Nigeria (APDON) sometime ago.

But last week Sunday, 6th March, 2016, Deroju Onilu resurfaced on stage in Abeokuta, Ogun State. And it was at the burial party of the mum of a top aide to Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun, which held at the Open Ground of Abeokuta Sports Club, Oke-Ilewo. While talented Fuji artiste, Alhaji Ramoni Akanni a.k.a. Raymon King (RK1) was holding the tempo of the party up at a section of the field, Fuji music star, Alhaji Shefiu Alao Adekunle a.k.a. Agbara Orin (Baba Oko) was doing what he knows how to do best at another end of the expansive field.

Meanwhile, when Saheed Ojubanire Online stepped on the stage of Agbara Orin, one of the drummers creating the melodious beat for Shefiu Alao at the event was discovered to be the indefatigable Deroju Onilu. And the question that immediately came to mind was that: "Is Deroju Onilu now with Shefiu Alao?"

But when this blog snooped around for an answer, it was confirmed that the gifted drummer only comes around to be part of the Fuji Cardozo Band once in a while and that he was yet to become a permanent feature in the band. And the question whether he is going to be part and parcel of the successful band was left for time to tell.

However, one thing was very obvious at the party. And that is the fact that most of the big fans of Fuji music who came up stage to appreciate the good music of Shefiu Alao with crisp, high denominations of Naira notes also spared some cash, particularly, for Deroju Onilu amidst other drummers flanking him. And that gave an unmistakable indication that they were happy to see the chubby drummer on stage again.