By Victor Enengedi, Senior Correspondent
Highly regarded as Nigeria’s oldest practicing musician, the music legend died around 9am at the Marritol Medical Center, Surulere, Lagos where he had been receiving treatment for a cancer related illness.
Our reporter arrived at the musician’s Millenium Housing Estate, Oko Obo, Agege, Lagos residence to meet the solemn mood of friends, family and well-wishers who had come to sympathise with the family.
Although many of them declined talking on tape or camera, they sincerely mourned the late musician while also expressing their disbelief of the loss. A neighbour who gave her name simply as Tomi told The NET that the late musician was fatherly to most of the residents in the Estate. ‘We all saw him as a father that we can always talk to anytime we were having one problem or the other. He was always ready to listen’.
One of the wives of the highlife icon, Sherifat Olagunju who spoke to NET reporters narrated the story leading to his demise. She said, ‘My husband was first diagnosed of cancer when he went to American for a tour. When he came back to Nigeria, it was confirmed by the doctors here.
He was always so week to talk. One of the last things he told me was that, he was going to get better so that he can come back home. He also promised to finish the house he was building for me, so that I can move in with my children’
Investigations have it that the late octogenarian had initially been admitted at Ahmadiyya Hospital in Agbado-Ijaiye, Lagos after he was rushed to the hospital by his wife about a week ago when he had complained of severe pain in his leg and other parts of his body.
A fews days later, he was specially referred to Marigold Hospital after his condition refused to improved.
Sherifat who has two children (boy, 6 and girl, 3) for the musician also said, ‘He was a loving and caring husband. He not only saw me as a wife, but also as his child. We had many plans together and I will miss him greatly’.
Oluwaleti Ogunleye, a family friend who also commented about the late music icon said, ‘It really saddens my heart that Baba is gone from us. He was a very jovial man, very full of life and we all loved him’
Afro pop musician, Bantu who was one of the first celebrities to visit the musician’s residence told reporters that he just finished a recording with the maestro recently.
‘He was a great mentor to many, I was honoured to have done some recording with him. He is one of the prolific musicians to have come out of this country. A couple of days ago when I visited him at the hospital, I remember him saying that he was looking forward to sharing the stage with me’.
On Thursday, June 13, 2013, the late musician’s final journey began at about 9.30am when his corpse was laid-in-state at his Oko-Oba residence.
The body was immediately transferred to his Ikorodu residence at No. 14, Unity Street, Maya Village, Ikorodu, Lagos.
The Muslim funeral service was officiated by Chief Imam, Olarenwaju Yusuf assisted by other clergy. The service lasted for less than an hour as family friends trooped back to his Agege home for a light celebration.
One of the legend’s son, Adewunmi Olagunju told our reporter, ‘He was a very good father and he always lived up to his fatherly duties. I know the entire family will miss his presence’.
A protege of the late musician, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey who was also present said, ‘He was a mentor to many, a musician to the core. His music was always positive and we will always remember him for the influence he had in our lives’.
It would be recalled that the maestro got a new lease of life after years in the doldrums.
The Yoyo Bitters Ambassador was known for his zest and dexterity, super active despite his old age. The late musician was often referred to as ageless because of his agile performances.
Born in July 22, 1928 to the family of late Chief Olagunju in Ede, Osun State, Fatai Rolling Dollar, a guitarist, singer and exponent of the native thumb piano (agidigbo) was regarded as one of the greatest influence of West African contemporary music.
He mentored and influenced a good number of notable artistes, including Juju music legend, Ebenezer Obey.
His last TV performance which was on March 14, 2013 was on Nigerian Idol Season 3 stage, where he performed one of his all time classics ‘Won Kere si Number Wa’.
He is survived by many wives and children.
‘He had many plans for me’-wife
One of the wives of the late music maestro, Sherifat Olagunju granted NET an exclusive interview and she opened up about a lot.
How did it all happen?
Baba has been sick for weeks and we were told that the white doctors in America discovered he had cancer. He was brought back home and taken to Ahmadiyyah Hospital where he was for two weeks. It was later that De Deon Group of Company decided to take him to another hospital so that he could get proper care.
What is the name of the hospital?
Marritol Medical Centre.
What then happened?
When I went there, the doctors confirmed the cancer as was initially suspected by the doctors abroad. The doctor asked if I knew what cancer is and I said yes. He said we should keep praying. When I went there yesterday, I stayed with him for a while and left only for the doctor to call me to tell me that he has given up the ghost this morning (June 12).
What time did he die?
The doctor didn’t tell me exactly, but it was this morning.
What time did the doctor call you?
I think it was around 9am.
How many children did you have for him?
Two.
When did you marry him?
If I remember correctly it was in 2011/2012.
Someone said it was a spiritual attack?
The only thing I want to say is that God should help us, we shouldn’t talk bad because mere looking at it, cancer or no cancer it doesn’t look as if it’s a spiritual attack because Baba has been experiencing the sickness before he went to America so it wasn’t spiritual.
What were some of the last things he said to you?
He has many plans for me because he has a house that he is building and he has promised me that when he comes back he will complete it and I will move in with my children to that house. That was what he said lastly to me but when he was over there in America, he calls me and we talk frequently and he comforts me. When he was in the hospital, we didn’t talk much because he didn’t even have enough strength to talk.
Has he taken you to that house?
I have always been there because from day one. Baba and I are so close and I go there frequently, somewhere in Maya, Ikorodu, everybody knows me there.
What will you miss most about him?
Many things that I cannot forget about him because he’s a loving, God-fearing and caring man. He’s one person that takes people’s problem as his own and I miss him. Despite the age, he’s like a father to me and since I married him, he didn’t give me any cause to know any suffering. He doesn’t take me as his wife, he treats me like his daughter, he talks to me and there are some secrets that his children doesn’t know that he revealed to me but I can’t disclose it for no
Celebrities pay tribute to the late FRD
Ever since the death of Fatai Rolling Dollar on Wednesday June 12 2013, tributes have continued to pour from celebrities.
Goodluck Jonathan
‘He enthralled his teeming followers during a career of more than 64 years’.
Rauf Aregbesola
‘Papa’s death is a huge loss to the entertainment industry and the nation at large. His exit would create a big vacuum in the music industry. We are going to miss him very much’.
Femi Kuti
‘SAD news abt Mr Fatai Rolling Dollar ( RIP ) I pray for strength for his family’, Kuti wrote on his official twitter page today, shortly after news of FRD’s death went viral’.
Orits Williki
‘Papa lived well and nobody can complain that an icon has gone home to rest. The way he lived in the last decade has been remarkable’.
Ebenezer Obey
‘He was a mentor to many, he musician to the core. His music was always positive and we will always remember him for the influence he had in our lives’.
Orlando Julius
‘He is one of our legends. He made people happy and touched lives with his music. We will miss a lot about him especially his unreleased music’
Yeni Kuti
‘I am really sad about it. The last time I saw him was at Freedom Park when his documentary aired. Please I am so sad I can’t talk now’.
Tee Mac
‘I have known him since the 70s. He was a great musician and I shared stages with him a number of times. We will miss him for a long time to come’.
Stella Monye
‘Rolling Dollar lived and rocked well as a veteran musician.’
King Sunny Ade
‘We are going to miss Pa Rolling Dollars greatly. Pa please come to life to make us happy again if God permits’.
Tony Okoroji
‘He was a legend, a fantastic person with a very positive attitude to life who treated everyone with courtesy’.
Dele Momodu
‘Good night Papa Fatai Rolling Dollar… Rest in perfect peace…’
Dare Art Alade
‘R.I.P Fatai Rolling Dollar’
Kenny Ogungbe
‘R.I.P Fatai Rolling Dollar, 1928-2013. May his gentle soul Rest In Peace.’
Ayo Shonaiya
‘Fatai Rolling Dollar, R.I.P Sir. But you know Fatai Rolling Dollar lived his life fully. Awon omode won yi really kere si number! RIP Fatai Rolling Dollar’
Omo Akin
‘R.I.P Fatai Rolling Dollar 1928-2013. May his soul Rest in Peace’.
Banky W
‘R.I.P Fatai Rolling Dollar. The original pioneer of the hat look and of course a legendary naija.’
Ade Bantu
‘Today I lost a great friend and a generous mentor. R.I.P Fatai Rolling Dollar’
Dr Sid
‘RIP Fatai Rolling Dollar, Nigerian Entertainment loses another icon. My condolences go out to his family. The Lord is ur strength’.
MC Senator
‘He was a strong and talented musician. He gave joy to many. May God grant his soul eternal joy’.
Mike Nliam
‘He was one of the few remaining legends. Lived life to the full, was never tired of performing. My deepest condolence goes to’
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