There was wide jubilation in the Juju music industry in Ekiti State as Popular Musician, Mr Kola Osoba known as Kola great emerged governor of the Association.
The election, described by stakeholders as historic, also marked the formal reconnection of the Ekiti chapter with the National Body of AJUMN under the leadership of Queen Ayo Balogun, the National President of the Association.
The state branch had been disconnected from the central body for over 20 years.
Speaking after his emergence, Mr Osoba said the new leadership was determined to reposition Juju music in Ekiti and give members the recognition and welfare they deserve.
“This is a new dawn for Juju music in Ekiti. Our reconnection with the national body means our members will no longer be left behind. We are back home,” he said.
The former Caretaker Governor, Elder Akin Idowu also known as Ambassador Great Akins said the reunion with AJUMN National body will open international opportunity for members of the group, including access to mentorship, training, and national platforms.
“With this linkage, our members will now benefit directly from veterans in the profession like King Sunny Ade, Sir Shina Peters and other living legends. We will also work to promote the brand of every Ekiti Juju musician,” he added.
The Chairman, AJUMN State Electoral Officer, Hon. Dayo Akinleye, a.k.a Maxima, explained that the new Exco will focus on unity, capacity building, and creating more performance.
He added that the exco would also ensure business opportunities for members, and that the Ekiti sound of Juju gets national visibility.
Maxima noted that no other AJUMN existed in Ekiti State than the one headed by Mr Kola Osoba and urged the people not to transact business with any group not recognized by the national body of the association.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the Chairmen of AJUMN from all the Sixteen Local Government in the State, Mr. Adesoji Awoyemi a.k.a SOJ Ademola, said the association will fare well under Mr. Kola Osoba owing to his vast experience in the profession.
“Members can be assured that every contribution will be accounted for. We are building an association that will take care of our young and old musicians,” she said.
The Public Relations Officer, Mr. Adedayo Ojo popularly known as Asiwaju Destiny Melody, said that the Exco will begin immediate sensitization across the 16 LGAs to register more members and take Juju music back to schools, markets, and cultural festivals.
“We want the younger generation to know that Juju is our heritage and it is still very relevant,” he noted.
A member of the Association, Mr. Temidayo Aderiye with the stage name “Dayo Bright, noted that With Kola Great at the helm and the national backing of Queen Ayo Balogun, AJUM Ekiti would take its rightful place in the entertainment industry.
He urged all warring factions within the association to embrace peace.
“We call on all our brothers who have stayed away to sheathe their swords and come back to the fold. This is about oneness and progress. Juju music in Ekiti is bigger than any individual,” he stated.
Other members of the Association are, Mr Oguntuase Suyi David, AJUMN Deputy Governor, Mr. Henry Oluwafemi is the AJUMN State Secretary, Hassan Kehinde emerged Ass State Sec, and Oribusola Temitope as AJUMN State Treasurer.
Omotoso Samuel is AJUMN State Fin Sec, Dada Akintunde Akinola would serve as AJUMN State Soc Sec, Ogunmodede Kehinde was elected the AJUMN State Auditor, while Ojo Adedayo Gbenga emerged as AJUMN State P.R.O and Oreoluwa Oluwatosin was elected as AJUMN State Provost.
Music lovers and cultural stakeholders in Ekiti have hailed the election, saying the return of AJUMN Ekiti to the national body will strengthen the promotion of indigenous music and create jobs for youths interested in the genre.
