Fatai Rolling Dollar’s Band Mate, Pedro Alaba Dies At 72

By Osagie Alonge

Music writer and composer Alaba Pedro, the man behind some of Nigeria’s popular highlife hit songs has died at the age of 72. Pedro who played in various Highlife bands and penned hit songs for many musicians died on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 aboard an Arik Air flight on the New York-Lagos route. He was said to have had breathing difficulties

Until his death, Pedro was a member of legendary musician Pa Fatai Rolling Dollar’s ‘Faaji Agba’ ensemble. He travelled with the group on a musical tour of the United States of America which lasted for one week. He however died about two hour into the flight to Lagos from New York.

Fatai Rolling Dollar who spoke when the group arrived at the Murtala Mohammed Airport revealed that Pedro had been discovered to be ill while they leaving the hotel where they lodged for the airport and that Pedro insisted on flying with the band when asked by airline officials if he would be able to make it.

According to Pa Rolling Dollar, Pedro’s started breathing heavily and started panting for breath when the flight was in transit. Despite the efforts by the medical personnel on board to keep him alive, all seemed futile. Pa Rolling Dollar also disclosed that Pedro suffered from alcohol addiction and that the other members of the band had warned about his rate of consumption.