The Nigerian
veteran highlife musician and producer, Christopher Ajilore, popularly known as
Chris Ajilo who died recently was renowned for his hit tune ‘Eko Ogba Gbere’.
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Chris Ajilo born in Osun State in 1930 was a very dedicated and highly
disciplined artiste. He was such an outstanding musician who maintained a sense
of integrity and professionalism throughout his career. He was dedicated to his
craft as a musician and for encouraged the younger ones. He focused on recording
and delivering good music for posterity.
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Chris Ajilo was the man who led the Independence Band at the Federal Palace
Hotel in 1960. He was the people’s saxophonist, a music teacher by calling,
artiste and a repertoire manager with a difference, a producer of numerous hit
songs and numerous hit artistes and the quintessential copyright man.
He was for many years a producer at Polygram Records now Premier Music. He
produced several artistes including Osita Osadebe’s popular song, ‘Osondi
Owendi’ among others. Chris Ajilo’s best known songs include ‘Eko O Gba Gbere’,
‘Ariwo’, ‘Orilonise’, ‘Only You’, ‘Tetede’, ‘Ojo Nlo’, and ‘Emi Mimo’.
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He is considered one of the last of the generation — including the likes
of Victor Olaiya and Bobby Benson — who formed the Nigerian Union of
Musicians, the first guild for musicians.