*Says journalists have built and destroyed many homes
By Aderonke Adeyeri
Alhaji Ayinla Kollington needs no introduction in the Nigerian music industry.
Born in 1953 in Ibadan, Oyo State, Kollington started music alongside the late Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister in 1965. In the late 1970s, General, as he is also known, refined his sound by adding bata drums and changed his band’s name to Fuji 78.
The beginning
Starting off was very early for Kollington. “I started with weere music in 1965 at 10”, he says.
Group of amateurs who had talent in music usually moved from house to house to perform especially during Ramadan. They were the Weere musicians. Some of them eventually became stars. It was a distinguished performance that saw him winning an award even as a Weere musician.
And that meant a visit to the State House Marina to receive the award. It was a big achievement to visit the State House in those days. It meant you were special. His was clearly a case of talent not fully harnessed in the beginning. But that award marked the beginning of the good things that were to follow.
“I was at the State House in Marina, Lagos to receive a trophy and a certificate of merit and it felt great,” he says. But even at then playing music was not on full time basis until inspiration came when he enrolled in the Nigerian Army and met Barrister. “My late friend, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister encouraged me to take my musical career to the next level. We were soldiers and Barrister would come all the way to Abeokuta, Ogun State to pressure me. He convinced me. He believed we needed to quit and go back to music.
He used to say ‘for how long shall we be earning 18 pounds Sterling?’ I was a bit reluctant because I didn’t know what might happen to us if we were caught rehearsing. Army was very tough back then, I mean in the ’70s. Barrister started rehearsing and would often say to me: ‘Kola, I have started rehearsing; when will you start yours?’ I later gave in and the rest is history.”
He acknowledged that late Bashiru Abinuwaye, Zaka Olayigbade and some others actually started Fuji music. “Fuji music started on the Island. Myself and Barrister came up to sing Fuji after the pioneers.” He also acknowledged that he pioneered dance hall music, and added, “I give that credit to God Almighty. I can dance non-stop for hours at this age.”
Rivalry
On the rivalry between him and his friend, he said, “That was purely business and that perceived rivalry was over even before his death. We came back and did everything together. We were not the only ones who had issues at one time. Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade had theirs and later settled. Recently, some musicians who had issues between themselves came to me and I settled the rift.”
Many people still wonder how the best of friends became enemies, asking if the fights were gimmicks to make sales. But the man popularly known as Baba Alatika calmly put to rest such insinuations. “It was real and not a strategy to make sales. Our fans and some journalists also contributed to our problems.”
Fulfillment
Alhaji Kollington feels very fulfilled at 62. “I made money from all my records”, he said with pride. “Ijo yoyo seems remarkable but I was sick at that time. I also got an award as the Best Fuji Artiste of the Year.” On how he got the name Baba Alatika, he attributed it to his mode of dressing, “especially my cap”, he said with a broad smile. “There is a particular way I arrange my cap that portrays a socialite. A socialite is also known as Alatika.”
He looked fit and attributed this to God and daily exercise. These are the secrets of his youthful look. Kollington played saxophone to the admiration of many but has since stopped because he wants to concentrate on singing.
All his children are doing well, but he would not reveal the number of his wives and especially of his children as “it is a taboo in Yoruba land”, he explained, laughing. Still in a light mood, he said, “I didn’t know you would ask me that question. I would have done the calculation before your arrival. Well, it is a taboo in the part of the world I come from to count one’s children. I can only say I am married and blessed with children.”
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