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’.
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.
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’.
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.