The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, has joined millions of Ilorin sons and daughters and people across the world to commiserate with the family of the late musical maestro of the Dadakuada fame, Alhaji Jaigbade Alao, who died on Monday at the age of 121.
He also expressed sympathy to the government of Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq and His Royal Highness, Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, Maimartaba Sarkin Ilori, and fans and lovers of the deceased across the world.
The VC condolence message was conveyed by the university’s Head of Information and University Relations, Dr Habib Yakoob, on behalf of the Governing Council, Senate, staff members and students of the institution.
Na Allah, who has researched extensively into Jaigbade’s music as a resource for African Oral Literature and Performance, said he was sad to learn about his death.
He described the late musical maestro as an exceptionally brilliant and warm-hearted person, who believed in using music to create critical changes in society.
Na’Allah said, “He took his traditional performances around the world, including the USA and Brazil, where I had the opportunity to see first-hand how he made a huge impression of his exceptional creative talents before the global community.
“He was a role model to many and used his music to admonish the philosophy of love, good neighbourliness, excellent creativity, hard work, patriotism, fear of God, commitment to humanity, love of culture and many more. He won great rewards from the government and people including a recognition award by the Kwara State Government and an honorary doctor of literature degree by the Kwara State University.”
He continued, “I am honoured to have researched his work and had many hours of close personal encounters with this legend of Ilorin art, history and culture which was turbaned as the King of Singers, Oba Olorin, by the 9th Emir of Ilorin, Muhammad Zulkarnaini Ayelabowo Gambari.”
He called on the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to immortalise him for his great contributions to music in the world.
Na’Allah prayed to Allah to have mercies upon the deceased’s soul, reward him abundantly and give the family the fortitude to bear this loss.
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