By Seyifunmi Odunuga
Thursday, 27th of July, 2023, will continue to linger in the memories of the fuji music Icon, Alhaji Rasheed Ayinde Adekunle, popularly called Merenge, his family and the planning committee of Merenge @ 60 for the success of the 60 years birthday celebrations of Alhaji Rasheed Ayinde.
The epoch-making event started on Sunday, 23rd of July, 2023, at the Bolad Events Center, Akala Expressway, when his fans in the Diaspora gathered together in an all-white attire to celebrate the fuji music icon.
The event powered by friends and fans of the celebrant in the Diaspora which was declared open by the Chairman, Planning Committee, Agbaakin Ademola Adesigbin, also featured a sermon from an Islamic cleric and a lecture delivered by a Professor of African History and African Diaspora Studies from Florida International University, Miami Florida, USA, Saheed Aderinto.
Aderinto, the 2023 Dan David Prize (the largest History prize in the World) winner, delivered a paper titled, “Lagos is the home of breakthrough-provided your destiny agrees; Ibadan and the making of Rasheed Ayinde Merenge. The 60th Birthday Anniversary Lecture of Alh. Rasheed Adekunle (Merenge).
The Chairman of Extension Publications, Otunba Sunday Omoniyi Obiyinka who chaired the two occasions, in his speech, appreciated all dignitaries that took time to attend the ceremony, describing the celebrant, Alhaji Rasheed Ayinde as a humble and lovable person, this, he said was responsible for why his fans in the Diaspora came from various destinations all over the world to celebrate him.
The Extension Publication boss however urged dignitaries present, especially the younger Fuji artists to imbibe humble disposition and emulate the good behavior of the celebrant so that people too can celebrate them in that way.
He subsequently requested his favourite track from the many songs of Alhaji Merenge with the sum of one million naira during the request-and-play segment.
In the same vein, the Chairman, Planning Committee, Agbaakin Adesigbin, in his remarks, said Alhaji Rasheed Ayinde is the only fuji musician that upholds Ibadan’s fate because most people believed that if you want to get to stardom you must go to Lagos but Alhaji encouraged the likes of Alhaji Taye Currency, Alhaji Tajudeen System, Kanmi Jackons, David Ayinde and host of others to hit the limelight.
Thereafter, wives, children, family and friends took time to shower encomiums on the Fuji star, urging him not to relent in his good deeds.
Some of his fans and daughter, Alimat Lawal, requested some of his hit tracks which he performed to the delight of the dignitaries present.
The celebrant, in his vote of thanks, thanked all and sundry that contributed to the success of the occasion, as he specifically mentioned his fans in the Diaspora that gathered to celebrate him, stressing that no kobo of his went into the party.
The popular broadcast journalist, Abdulrasaq AbdulGaniyu, popularly known as Mr G.R.A, anchored the event,
On Thursday, 27th, of July, 2023, Hall of Grace, Jogor Events Center was filled to the brim with the creme de la creme in the society, movers and shakers in the fuji music industry, fans from the Diaspora, business stakeholders and host of others converged together in “Aso Ebi” attire for the grand finale of the celebration.
Alhaji Muyideen Ajani Bello delivered a lecture followed by the introduction of dignitaries anchored by Aborisade. Thereafter, the Olori Omo”ba Akile Ijebu, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, mounted the stage with his band boys to dazzle dignitaries present at the occasion with what he knows best to steal the show.
Meanwhile, the fuji icon, Alhaji Rasheed Ayinde Adekunle (Merenge) has praised the CEO of Kayrom Lee, saying, “I am grateful to Ambassador Ramat Romoke Ayinde, the Iyalaje Adini of Oyo State for the cake donation for the event.”
Merengue then urged other well-meaning women in the society to emulate the good gesture of Amb. Ayinde stressed that “Iyalaje Adini of Oyo State has been a pillar of sports, entertainment and also humanity.”
While speaking with Reporters At Large, the fuji music legend, Alhaji Kolington Ayinla; Alhaji Tajudeen System; Musiliu Haruna Ishola; Wasiu Haruna Ishola; Kanmi Jackson and many others showered encomium on the fuji icon and prayed for his long life.
Alhaji Gboyega Lawal Wale Lawal (Baba Promo) and Aborisade anchored the event while the event was covered by Apreel1 Events TV.