CHRIS AJILO THE NIGERIAN HIGHLIFE MUSIC VETERAN (1930 -2021)

 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.