Last December, when I was in Òkehò for Christmas and New Year, I went to Ẹ̀là Àbàtà’s house to meet with him and give him some things for the festive season.I waited in his house at Amájá’s compound, Ìṣìà, for almost 30 minutes, but he didn’t show up and I left with the hope that, some other time, I will meet with him.
Today, after some assignment that took me out of Òkehò, I thought of withdrawing home to take some rest when I remembered that I needed to buy some cocoa seed. I love eating cocoa seed and the man with me said there was a woman who used to sell for him. We went to the woman’s shop to buy the seed and it was just a stone throw to Amájá’s compound and I remembered Ẹ̀là Àbàtà. I asked after him from the woman who said he was at home. Hearing the woman’s reply made me feel good within me as if I was going to meet the president.
I traced him with my friend and we met him in his house, but he didn’t recognise me. I also tried to figure him out in his new frail appearance, but didn’t recognise him too until when he started to do what he knew how to do, Hearing his voice, I had reminiscences of the olden days when we were younger.
I and Ẹ̀là Àbàtà were not close friends by any standard them, but both of us were popular for different things within the town.But, his voice has not changed and it gave me a nostgic feeling of our growing up in Òkehò when I used to love a genre of music that the man of the hour ventured into.
For those of you who were not with us at Òkehò in the 80s, you won’t know the man Ẹ̀là Àbàtà; but, let me introduce him to you as one of the Fuji Musicians of our days. Those days, we had Láti Alárápé Fuji (now late) from Aláwọ́kí family, we had Fàtáì Fújì (a.k.a Ṣẹ̀ṣẹ́mà from Ilé e Baálẹ̀ Ìṣẹmi who I did manager for), we had Fújí Pẹ̀lẹ́ (the band that was founded by Ràshídì Lawal who is now one of our legal luminaries in town and my blood relation), we had Àtúma Fújì (established by Late Ràúfù Rájí, one of my cousins from Ilé e Mósòó, Ìjò, Òkehò) and we had another Ràshídì Fuji from Así area (I don’t know if I’m correct with his name) and we had Ẹ̀là Àbà from Amájá’s compound, Ìṣìà, Òkehò. The list above is how far I can remember about the history of Fújì Music in Òkehò in the past before we now have. Mr. Fujician, the son of Ọ̀láwùmí and some others (please, if I don’t mention your name, I’m sorry).
I remember, with nostalgia, the day Ẹ̀là Àbàtà did his lauching at Òkehò Town Hall. It was was like yesterday! Few people graced the occasion in spite of huge publicity. I was there that day because of my love for Fuji Music and I still remember some of Ẹ̀là Àbàtà songs that day that he treated us to. Please, find some of such songs below:1. Ẹ̀là Àbàtà só ń rí wọn bá wọ̀nyí. Ẹ ò má ní ṣ’àgbakò ọmọ láyé, láyé láyé, ẹ ò má ní ṣ’àgbakò ọmọ láyé o.2. Ẹ̀là ‘bátá la, Ẹ̀là ‘bàtà, Ẹ̀là ‘bàtà tó ń jẹ́ Làmídì ọmọ ìyá onírú o.3. Ìyá mi ń ta ‘rú ọmọ Amájá, èmi náà ń kọ Fújì ọmọ Amájá. Ẹ̀là Àbàtà tó ń jẹ Làmídì ọmọ ìyá onírú o.4. Láti Télò ló ń bọ lókè yí, ẹ wò bó ṣe dì bí Alákọwé, àṣé Télò ti ẹ̀ ni.
Few people “sprayed” money on Ẹ̀là Àbàtà that day and some of us who were managers of groups were worried how he was going to offset his debts because we learnt that he bought all the anniversary cloths for his followers on credit.
That was how magnanimous Ẹ̀là Àbàtà was!Furthermore, before he ventured into Fújì music, Ẹ̀là Àbàtà was working with “gbégilódò” lorry and he was a very hardworking young man from what we gathered. The following day of the anniversary, we saw Ẹ̀là Àbàtà behind the “gbégilódò” lorry and we concluded that “rope has caught him” (find out the meaning of the metaphor).
This evening, February 9, 2024, when I listened to Ẹ̀là Àbàtà again, I concluded that he was one of the talents we didn’t explore and celebrate. I really felt for him and I gave him the little I had with a promise that, next time, I will hire some instrument and invite him to play for me and my friends who still care so we can be a blessing to him.
Whatever is in my care to help him, I won’t hesitate to use for him and, if you are touched like me by the story of this potentially great man, you may wish to join me to rehabilitate him. As you can see, he needs rehabilitation.
Finally, listen to Ẹ̀là Àbàtà’s song and draw your own conclusion about him by yourself. Thank you and happy night rest to you.
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