Tribute to a Living Legend: Chief Dr. Orlando Owoh

by Bell’ Ihua

In his over forty years musical career, Chief Dr. Oladipupo Owoh, popularly called Orlando Owoh has without doubt proved to be one of the greatest musicians that have come out of Nigeria. The life and times of this uncelebrated musical icon clearly reveals that to this genius known as Orlando, the whole world appears to be his musical stage and he gains inspiration from everything happening in his society.

Like other legends he carefully crafted his own genre of African Highlife music to what is today referred to as the Palm Wine Highlife which is anchored on a very strong lead and base guitar rhythm. To many of his fans especially from the Ondo/Akure and Ekiti axis, Orlando appears to be a legend. Orlando did not play music for money, but played music because saw music as his calling in life and loved what he did, perhaps this is why he hasn’t very much to show for a musical career of over forty years. Notwithstanding, he never missed the opportunity to tantalise his fans with his ever green tunes and popular tracks such as Ajanaku Daraba, Lai Ku Egiri, Oluwa la’la Baromi, What can you tell me? /Yello Sisi Siddon Na Corner Pushy Hand Na Jaw, Aunty dey shame, Ganja 1 &2, Bori Ba Joba Lola, Kangaroo, Have you been to the State Before?, Logba Logba, Jealousy Jealousy, Ifon Omimah Ni Mo Tiwa, Iyawo Olele amongst others.

Owoh courtesy Molara Wood and Jahman Anikulapo

Orlando was one of many musicians whose life experienced a missed bag of ups and downs, as he faced several ordeals and trials that even saw him going into one of the most notorious prisons in Nigeria, Alagbon. Nevertheless, he did not allow any of these ordeals distract him for following his God-given purpose. Many people even laughed at his husky voice, but he transformed that to his own identity and brand, calling naming his band the African “Kenneries”. He came out stronger from every ordeal he faced and they even inspired most of his albums and compositions such as Experience, Have You Been to the State Before, Kalakuta Republic at Alagbon, Jealousy and Ibaje Eniyan Ko Da’se Oluwa Duro, Economic Saboteurs amongst others.

Than every other musician in the history of Nigeria (apart from Fela), Orlando’s music has contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. He was a social critic and used his songs to decry the ills of our society such as life and corruption in prison, composing lyrics such as Innocenty Plenty oo for Alagbon, Dem go molest you taya, and Long long protocol L’Alagbon. He sang about how morals no longer exists in the society, how the love of money and lies now rule over the truth and how he economy have deteriorated in his tunes such as Aso Otito Aiye, E get as e be, It is not Easy, Eku Iroju Omo Nigeria, Not in Our Character (Iwa Wa Ko), Nigeria Aanu Semi, Hunger and many others.

His songs also contributed to the political development of Nigeria and sang songs like Na Democracy we Want, Operation Feed Nation, I Say No to Military; with lyrics like “Babangida Chop Nigeria Taya Before he Go”, shedding more light on the need for democracy, human right and good governance. He also added his voice to the international call for the release of Nelson Mandela and stopping the Apartheid regime in South Africa, in his album Apartheid.

Orlando’s songs were made of proverbs and words of wisdom aimed at inculcating moral values in the society. He sang about patience in Logba Logba, hardwork in Ise Logun Ise; the “Tongue” and how it could be used for either blessing or cursing purposes in the track Oni La M’Oba.

Dr. Owoh was a strong believer in the oneness and unity of the Nigerian state, and encouraged Nigerians to have hope. This he expressed in his tunes like Nigeria a Dara, Omo Nigeria Ka So Wopo, Ajo Ma Lowo, Ka Jumo Se and Ire Loni amongst others.

Orlando loved his mother and the female folks in general and displayed this love in many of his tracks such as Ero Ki Yeye Mi, Ko S’Olobe Bi Iya Mi, Mama Mi Ma Fi Mi F’Oko and Ko Se Mani L’Obirin, Omo Pupa, Salewa Ye Ye Ye amongst others.

Chief Owoh was one musicians who always seized every opportunity to pay obeisance to constituted authorities such as the Royal Fathers and he rolled out several tunes for the likes of Oba Sijuade the Ooni of Ife, Oba Oyekan of Lagos, Olisa of Idanre, Orogun Ile-Ila, Oba Ojopagbogbo the Alara of Ilara and others. Orlando’s band was the favourite band of many clubs and associations such as the Ifon Social Club, Owo Socialite Club of London Ope Fund, Egbe West African Friendship Association and Agbayewa Commercial Academy to mention a few.

A careful study of his music reveals that Orlando was a Christian and he used some of his tunes to evangelize and tell biblical stories such as Cain Ati Abel, Oti D’Opin, King Nebuchadnezzar, King Solomon, Jonah, Mo Duro Le Christi Apata, Noah, Lord Speak- Your Servant Heareth, Angeli Ti Ko’rukomi Soke, Singing Hallelujah and Ewa Gba Jesu amongst others.

Orlando was one man who loved and cherished his relatives and friends, as he eulogises them in several tunes such as Omiye La La, Shanu-Olu, Adebayo Success, Koledola (alias father of the nation), Fola-Sabela Motors, Professor Oyewole and Apata amongst others.

Orlando also contributed his own quota to remembering Nigeria’s fallen heroes, icons, musical collegues and friends such as the Late Obafemi Awolowo, Late Gen. Murtala Mohammed, Late Pa Ajasin, Late Dele Giwa, Late Fela, Late Samuel Oparaji, Late Gbenga Adeboye (Fun Won Tan), Late Cardinal Rex Jim Lawson, Late Crosdale Juba, Late Gabriel Jejeniwa, Late Chief Ogunyolaka Ademulegun, Late Madam Felicia and Late madam Martha Folawewo amongst others.

Orlando’s music also cut across tribal inclinations and his songs such as Ala La Natu Ba and Zo Muje Onitsha thrilled the other tribes when they were released. Orlando’s style and music also got international recognition and he was given an honorary doctoral degree in the UK.

Today Orlando has created several disciples of his music and the likes of Adewesco in Akure and his son to mention only two plays his style of music. Even most of the songs of the ever popular Yinka Ayefele are entrenched in Orlando’s Palm Wine Highlife music.

What else can we request for this legendary musical genius? His critics seem to be very short sighted, failing to be progressive by not looking at his immense contribution to the society at large. They only consider his love for his local herb or Ganja, criticising him for that and forgetting that we all have our own idiosyncrasies, which is not uncommon to most icons and all humans as a sign of our mortality. At least he wasn’t hypocritical and he sang publicly about his love for Ganja. If only his critics understood that everybody has a role to play towards the development of our society, not only our leaders in Abuja. Gone are the days when musicians were seen as ragamuffins, riffraffs and dregs of the society, but as a veritable tool in our development as a society, and Chief Dr. Orlando Owoh has more than delivered on his own contribution.

Conclusion

I must say I was personally disappointed in the organisers of the recently concluded Nigerian Music Awards for forgetting to honour this musical icon with a Life Time Achievement Award. I therefore suggest to the organisers of the Ondo State Awards to bestow Chief Dr. Orlando Owoh, not just with an ordinary award, but with a Life Time Enormous Contribution Award for what this great man and musician has achieved.

I also suggest that the Ondo State Indigenes Association should set up a team to conduct a sound documentary into the life and times of this great man and put together a comprehensive compilation of his music (as was recently done for the Late Fela Anikulapo Kuti) so that history can be documented for the generations of Ondo Indigenes, Nigerians and Africans yet unborn. This is the way the Sunshine State can be effectively branded and showcased to the world.

I heard Dr. Owoh has not been feeling too well lately, as such I also suggest that a fund be launched to raise money for his medical treatment here in the UK. This is how the western world honour and cherish their icons. I believe his lack of formal education hindered his ability to properly coordinate and manage his finances in his early days of musical wind fall.

Nevertheless, I make bold to say that as Kenny Rogers, Ray Charles and James Brown are to America, and Tom Jones, Rod Stewart and Sir Paul McCartney are to the UK, so also is our own very dear Chief Dr. Orlando Owoh is to Ondo State, Nigeria and Africa at large.

You may also like

65 comments

Yewande Ogunnaike January 1, 2018 - 4:00 pm

Born to Yoruba parents in the West I am familiar with High life music but had not heard specifically of Dr. Orland Owoh. I love music and especially grateful to come from a culture with a vast range of indigenous musicians. I feel blessed to have “discovered” Orlando Owoh, yet saddened he was literally an unsung hero. An amazing repertoire I am glad to have found him on Spotify

Reply
Adeyeri Oladimeji August 5, 2016 - 7:32 am

Orlando Owoh, great musician have ever seen ( Ijinle Orin) nothing can stop me for not listening to your music. Unique voice and Style. Now Listen

Reply
Ireti Oluwagbemi April 16, 2016 - 6:16 am

I am a 24 year old Nigerian woman . So a lot of people find my love for this man odd but his music is just beautiful and transcends age. It’s a shame as you said that he is not more honored. Lying in bed listening to Orlando Owoh has helped put me in the frame of mind to face the world on several mornings.

Reply
adelekekehinde December 7, 2012 - 10:38 am

i grew up with owomoyela fammily they are a bunch of respetable people

Reply
Ojetayo Abayomi October 17, 2012 - 2:49 pm

I love you Dr Orlando Owoh,you are my legend and you will for ever be in my hearth,i am crying now listening to your songs,i know one day i will rule ondo state and i will be able to name a project after your name baba,God will help me with this…sun re ooo Ojetayo Abayomi wrties from Europe

Reply
Dr Pat Kolawole Awosan June 14, 2011 - 3:16 pm

Dr orlando Owoh is my Psychological-tonic for my daily life.Each morning of my life,after my usual morning prayers to the Almighty Jehovah God early ritual,the next thing is to put on Dr Orlando Owoh’s music which will be playing while i use the toilet,shave, and clean my mouth/teeth and take my bath.After cream myself,dress up for work or if am off,sit down to eat something very soft meal for breakfast and check out from home while my wife drop me off at work and take the car back home.Dr orlando Owoh’s newlt released in 2010-various life-plays just newly chunned out by his wives are like his newly released tunes different completely from the others he released while still alife.I.E.His-USA-Houston-Texas-life-play now in CDS-Eni ba larugbo sile back home in Owo,to communicate a letter to them,to appeal to people of Owo-Ondo State-his mother’s hometown where Dr Orlando Owoh’s most very popular and the place he built a house where his mother still live,or another CD-titled [Okagbangba] which is also a chart-buster album followed by another CD-titled-Okota and the forth new CD-titled-You Go Pay.These are aditions to his prior releases which had kept us going along with all his admirers and fans worldwide.We thank God for his life and the fruitful 76-years Dr orlando Owoh spent on earth before his passage on november 04,2008.I called at his home at Agege,near Ipaja,Lagos while i was in nigeria in december,2010 and the day of my deoarture from nigeria on february 28,2011 and met with six surviving wives at his residence where he was buried right in front of his residence where his burial-site infront of his front-window which had a roof over his burial site like a mausoleum-like.Very beautifu site and his home still consists all his six-wives and some of children who all live together a a family unit just like when he was still alive.Dr Orlando Owoh built a very united home for himself and six wives happilly.I met his wives and they all saw me off to my car.We all miss Dr Orlando Owoh but Almighty Jehovah God loves him more than us all.May his gentle soul rest forever in eternal peaceful bossom of the Lord god,amen. Dr Pat Kolawole Awosan,Canada.

Reply
Lola October 13, 2020 - 11:38 pm

How can we got those live play with you please probably email or something

Reply
Titi Ogbemudiare May 25, 2011 - 7:30 pm

A good assessment of Orlando’s work, I pray the Lord will grant him quick recovery.

Reply
Oyebode Foyewa February 28, 2011 - 10:17 am

It is another attempt on historical and cultural heritage

Reply
Kay November 14, 2010 - 4:59 pm

What a brilliant piece Mr Bell… Thanks, at least he’s now beginning to get some recognition. Reading all the comments here, i feel so proud. We are really blessed in Nigeria, and Africa; if only we can open our minds to embrace our own culture and uniqueness as a people. God bless you Bell.

Reply
Prince Oyefade Adegboyega October 20, 2010 - 10:38 am

Baba african kenery, excellence on his life and music, baba is genius in his area of music, baba is well talented. gbosaa for african legend.

Reply
CHE October 19, 2010 - 7:35 am

Great! Excellent expose on the life and times, and also of the heart and mind, of this great Nigerian musician.

Reply
olasunkanmi September 7, 2010 - 8:04 am

He is a man that has touch many life with his music expecially in political aspect of life and one things that amased me is the way he change his old attitude to new life in christ i pray that may his soul rest in perfect peace

Reply
Dele July 31, 2010 - 11:09 am

well written article, it is a master piece

Reply
Dialo July 5, 2010 - 1:13 pm

Haaa Bell, this your article is the best thing i have read today… It is so true, how i wish our leaders could read this and understand how to treat our legends… Dr. Orlando Owoh was one of the greatest things that have happened to Nigerian music… He is a legend worth the tribute… Thank you and God bless you for this piece…

Reply
marcos Asunloye May 18, 2010 - 7:56 pm

Doki, without your music my daily life is incomplete.Rest in perfect peace Kennery.

Reply
Adeyeye, Ademola Olumide May 11, 2010 - 8:12 pm

Reading through this article, i felt like shedding tears, Chief Dr. Orlando, Owomoyela, through is kind of music brought maturity, great and good sense of reasoning into my life.When i was a kid, my father likes listening to his songs, but, then i never liked him & his music, but today and tomorrow he shall remain a very powerful and respected personality to me. For he is truely an African and indeeed a NIGERIAN

Reply
ajike ajetunmobi April 13, 2010 - 9:49 am

May his dear soul rest in peace. Amen

How is folashade Dr Orlando`s wife? My regards to her and all the family.

Reply
aiyetan castro February 6, 2010 - 7:39 pm

Sleep on uncle you r just too much for your outstanding and selfless life you lived. sun re leghomoyela, oma obia liko, omo olobi ye so gudungbu ofi alawe e ka be ale ofi akakan e ka sina obinton. leghomoyela ma jokon ma jikolo sun re.

Reply
Kunle January 19, 2010 - 11:00 pm

Thanks for this brilliant piece Bell. God bless you real good… This is a real tribute to Baba Alagbon the Kenery father….

Reply
tosin ekalof January 2, 2010 - 9:03 pm

i love orlando owo.

Reply
Dr pat kolawole Boboye October 21, 2009 - 9:35 pm

On november 04 2009 it will be one year first remembrance anniverasy of the passage of the iconoclastical musical legend of note.He came did his utmost best and achieved immensely that his name had been written in gold.We missed you Dr Orlando Owoh but God loves you most and shall continue you bless your gentle soul in eternity and continue to sleep in the Lord God in everlasting peace and joy,amen.Greetings to his wives and children as well as the Kenneries Internal Band.God have mercy and let his soul repose in the peaceful and joyful bossom of God,amen. Dr Pat kOlawole Boboye,Canada.

Reply
Kemi Agbayewa-Sofolahan May 29, 2009 - 5:33 am

some people where born with greatness, some have greatness bestore upon them. I think olando Owoh is the latter. My husband love his music so i stared listening with him because it reminded me of when my dad (CHIEF R. A. AGBAYEWA) use to play them when i was little . Any-who i think Olando Owoh’s music will leave on in his fans and trust me he has a vast of them(both in Nigeria and all over the world). I pray that his gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Reply
Ayo Hundogan May 26, 2009 - 8:38 am

I used to be one of the staunch fans of Dr Orlando Owoh until his death, his death came to me as a blow, my saddest moment in life was the news I received about his death. The legend was endowed with numerous qualities, his voice and style of music are hitherto rarity in the music industry.

However, apart from the fact that the legend was a good singer, most of his songs were in parables and Baba had touched many lives via his songs. Dr Orlando Owoh neither sang for money nor fame, he did not sing to attack personalities or religion. He would rather sing to check on the activities of our corrupt leaders, injustice and to give people inspiration. I personally did not have the opportunity to meet him in person but from what I often heard from people who were very close to him, he was a good man.

It still baffles me why good people die abruptly and the bad ones continue to live and enjoy, one would have wished someone like Dr Orlando Owoh to live till eternity.

I pray that the good Lord will grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss. May his sould rest in peace.

Sun re o Baba Orlando.

Reply
opeyemi dairo May 21, 2009 - 12:10 am

when our own time passes and the common things of this day become a rarity,my earnest prayer to God almighy is may we have a crop of nigerians and other africans alike with discerning taste boards ,music-wise to at least gratefully savor the pristinely-rich flavours of baba orlando’s music;none can be like his-orlando’s,and, that is if you know what real music entails- agba o ni tan l’orile,my prayer…

Reply
OLAYINKA EZEKIEL May 5, 2009 - 4:34 pm

It is unfortunate that we all lost dr orlando owoh we all loves him but god loves him most. I cant imagine how much sad i felt when a friend call from nigeria to informed me about the death of baba orlando owoh, i can just express how much intrest i had in the life of this legend who his life are full of inspiration, love , easy going, and method or best way to handle whatever the situation you might be experienced. One of the greatest things about him is dr orlando will sing as if you invited him to your situation and no matter how heavy or trouble you are you will definately laugh it away just because solution will comes out of it. I have a lot to say but no time at the moment. There is no legend like you againg, good night baba. Regarding this article i commend whoever that wrote it, you did an excellent publication. I will like to talk to you.

Reply
SEUN ALAO April 5, 2009 - 5:14 pm

I Love PA Orlando Owoh. I am in tears now and I live in UK, it was through my dad I got to love and listen to his music. VEry inspiring, is there any way his life’s story could be filmed and aired on National Television in Nigeria and on African Chanels. The next generation must know about him…PA YOU WILL FOREVER BE A LEGEND AND I WILL ALWAYS CHERISH ALL YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE AFRICAN PEOPLE. REST IN PERFECT PEACE

Reply
seun ologun April 5, 2009 - 9:08 am

BABA is a special man.Rest in Perfect Peace.I LOVE YOU.

Reply
Dr Pat Kolawole Boboye March 11, 2009 - 7:59 pm

Dr Orlando Owoh the original creator of Omimah Band and later African Kenneries International Beats remains the greatest legendary icon who can not ever be compare or surpass by any of today or upcoming artists.With his lyrical and rythmical-combinations of all times thwagging his guiter strings continously and singing spirit-moving songs at same time which invariably meant doing-two-things at the same time which are very hard and difficult to do.Well! the whole wide-world lost an outstanding genius November 04-2008 when Dr Orlando owoh gave up the ghost at the Ikeja General Hospital,Ikeja,Lagos,Nigeria.He did and gave his utmost best even given more than his own share in life while he was alive playing active music for over half a century as it was recorded in his auto-biography that he recorded his first record-Oluwa-lo ran mi in 1959 which Decca-Records kept on awaiting release and released in 1961.And throughout his musical sojourn,Dr Orlado owoh remained an all times greatest artist on top of the ladder till the end.And now after his passage,his handiworks remain unequalled and incomparable.Though! Dr Orlando owoh was a huge lose and the void of his passing can never ever be filled but Dr Orlando Owoh who made millions of his fans happy with his music and moreso,fans and friends who met and had been closer to him would continue to miss him and will always feel very sad that Dr Orlando Owoh had gone for ever but his iconic legendary legacy shall live on in the life and minds of his wives,children,relatives,mother,friends and lovers of his music worldwideSpecial gratitude goes to Governor Fashola of Lagos along with Dr Orlando owoh’s immediate family-i.e.wives,children and close relatives who put in their utmost best and gave Dr Orlando Owoh the best and befitting burial.The Ondo State former Governor Olusegun Agagu who was recently removed from office recorded failure and shame for Ondo State when he withrew after two payments the monthly pension the state awarded Dr Orlando Owoh. unannounced.Shame on PDP in Ondo State.Up Ac-gov Fashola.Adieu King of Kenneries Beats!Good Night Dr Orlando Owoh!!!

Reply
yomi March 4, 2009 - 4:01 am

baba baba baba where his your face my soul cry…

Reply
OMOWUNMI MABAYOJE February 5, 2009 - 3:32 pm

Excellent an true write-up.God will bless you Bell’ihua.

I love orlando’s music,his music makes me happy any time i listen to any of his album.His voice is unique

I love you baba.

Rest in peace Kennery

Reply
Ayodele Adelakun, USA December 25, 2008 - 12:21 am

My father infected me with his masterpiece like: Ijo Oyege, oriki Ojo, Ma dele, Irole Satide. As an Epinmi Akoko man, Orlando’s music is now irresistible in my daily life. I think I’m still dreaming that Orlando is dead.

Orlando continue to sleep till we meet to part no more.

Reply
KEMI December 11, 2008 - 10:57 am

Dr. Orlando, may your gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

Reply
Martins December 3, 2008 - 7:43 am

Oh! thanks so much for your responsed,i will like to know how to listen to it again or how to get this type of music.waiting for your respons.More great to your elbow! Nice job you are doing!

Reply
Martins December 3, 2008 - 7:40 am

We lost a real legend man! i so much all his work and enjoyed everything abou Dr orlando Owoh.he make me happy and give hope to me all time and all day” orun ma kanju gbogbo wa la bo”

Reply
Yinka November 22, 2008 - 9:06 pm

What a great tribute….Rest in piece papa Orlando Owoh.

Reply
John Nnawuihe November 13, 2008 - 8:28 am

Death is inevitable but your name remains forever. I remember MA WO MI RORO.

Rest in peace Orlando Owoh

Reply
OLUMIKE November 11, 2008 - 3:45 pm

Dr orlando owoh is my god father, god gave me the talent like him and he blessed me before he died, he was with me in london in 2004. His death is a great loss but no doubt the kind of his music and boldness will never depart from nigeria. I am his replica in europe with his consent and i have released five albums, but new albums for papa orlando , title resurection in his voice will be out before his final burial.but i have no marketer in nigeria

Rest in peace dr. Olumike(oba1)& his african sparrows.

Reply
sam oni November 7, 2008 - 3:47 am

i sam oni sympathised with the family of orlando owoh -the living legend of our time ma God in his infinite mercies grant him peaceful rest

Reply
dele senbanjo November 6, 2008 - 11:19 pm

rest in peace soldier.

Reply
John Nnawuihe November 6, 2008 - 7:40 am

You are truely the living legend of our time. I love every aspect of your music. ORLANDO OWOH.

Reply
Smoothlyrugged October 25, 2008 - 7:29 am

Dami you are sitting on a gold mine of history and music…you wont appreciate till after he is gone….don’t sleep check him out!!

Reply
Smoothlyrugged October 25, 2008 - 7:23 am

Its that infectious hybrid of Juju and highlife with that ‘lazy’ singing style that i find irristable…as for the melody?? get out of here!! I play it over and over and over…God Bless The African kennery Dr Orlando Owoh you are truly a unique human being and musician. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4M3XdjsDZdc

Reply
JEMILU October 24, 2008 - 11:06 am

my GOD bless you sir Dr Orlando Owoh

Reply
Gbenga Alara October 18, 2008 - 7:45 pm

This write-up indicates that at least Oladipupo (Orlando) Owomoyela (Owoh) and his contributions to the Arts are gradually being recognised……..through this exposure medium. Don’t let us stop.

Let us have more details about his background, growing up, education, and events that have shaped his life, right from birth.

Orlando is from Ifon in Ondo State, while his mother was from Owo also in Ondo State.

Reply
Dami October 17, 2008 - 7:26 pm

He is my mum’s step brother and i have not heard one song of his ever!

Reply
Nelson Babatunde Aiyelabowo October 17, 2008 - 5:12 pm

Dr Chief Orlando Owoh, is my cousin, and my Dad woke up every morning playing his 33″S amd 45″s, His place in our culture is immesurabe to none. He is one of the greatest musicans to brace our great continent of

africa. I am deeply saddened to know that he is ill, wherever the money is to be sent to should be properly displayed or annouced, because there are alot of us out there that would make sure a living legend stays with us as long as possible. One thing i will keep forever as memory is wen he came to the states and he summoned me to come and see him, in an effort to settle a dispute between myself and another cousin of ours. That is the kind of man he is, he loves family and we love him. For all his family both distant and close, pls do the right thing. WE LOVE YOU THE GREAT DR.

Reply
Dr Pat Kolawole Boboye October 16, 2008 - 11:59 am

As i have written many time on Dr Orlando Owoh,he is an incomparable and distinguished natural artist who has contributed immensely to the political,social and cultural aspects of the nation’s development.Dr Orlamdo Owoh fought against Gen IB Babangida autocratic-dictatorship in one of his record that ruffled Gen IBB’s feathers that IBB got late Gen Sanni Abacha to arrested,detained Dr Orlando owoh for fourteen months in Alagbon-cell and when Dr Orlamdo Owoh was finally released after Gen IBB visited and conversed heart-to-heart with Dr Orlando Owoh by asking Dr Orlando Owoh what did he do to him that Dr Orlando Owoh recorded a musical peice against him-IBB?-re:Dele Giwa and others assasinated Nigerians.Then Dr Orlando Owoh replied IBB in IBB mother’s dialectical-language and IBB was shocked that Dr Orlando Owoh could speak his mother’s dialectical language because,Dr Orlando owoh speaks almost all Nigerian dialectical languages nationwide.Then IBB told Dr Orlando Owoh that both him and Dr Orlando must be friend instead of foes and not fight each one another agains.Because,IBB’s father was from Ogbomosho and that he-IBB too is from Ogbomosho,as IBB speaks fluent Yoruba language better than some Yoruba people.At the end IBB and Dr Orlando Owoh resolved their conflict and Dr Orlando owoh regained his freedom.When Dr Orlando owoh got back into the civil society,he recorded and released:Ohun Oju mi ri ni Alagbon-enu ko gba royin ni Alagbon-songmeaning:his experience in incastration,that what he experienced in alagbon-custody,his mouth was not spacious enough to recant his experience in alagbon custody,etc.and five other records one of which was Is-democracy people want,not autocracy,etc.Dr Orlando Owoh is the greatest authentic and incomparable evergreen legend of Nigeria that deserved the most national award,whose name should include the list of Nigerians like Late Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Late Sonny Okosun whose names too were recently announced by the minister for the Federal Capital,Abuja. Dr Pat Kolawole Boboye,Canada

Reply
Babajide Adejumo August 20, 2008 - 6:44 am

Orlando Owoh is musical icon of Nigeria in particular and the world at large. A real Traditionalist to it roots.

Write on brother-Kudos-abrilliant piece.

Reply
tayo June 10, 2008 - 5:36 pm

I agree, he deserve that honour!!

Reply
Kenny March 24, 2008 - 10:27 am

This is a fantastic piece of work.

Reply
OLAJIDE BABATUNDE March 15, 2008 - 8:25 pm

Kennery father,may u live long.i dont ve any other song than urs.a great living legend.u will neva die now,cos u will play in my wedding dat.i love u.kiri gbosa fun kennery father!!!

Reply
agogo February 14, 2008 - 5:00 pm

Hi martins, the track you are talking about is titled “Late Osojo Ogedengbe” in the album “KOSE MANI”. Its a nice one which i enjoy as well… Thanks for the comment…

Reply
MARTINS February 13, 2008 - 10:55 pm

I so much love orlando owoh music,i’m not from ondo state, but my best music in life is orlando owoh music.Baba used what God gave him to make us happy,cos anytime i’ feel sad and listen to baba music, i will definatly happy and have hope and faith.i will also be happy if you can help me to find the label music of baba,(Reunits)is one of my best littening music.**ogedegbe mi o,awo oladimeji mi, ogbe mi si ori esin o ja mi ka le o o.odara o odara o baba ti se eyi to dara….i love the music but since i left Nigeria i could not be able to listen to it.

Reply
Dupe February 13, 2008 - 2:55 pm

What a complete work on Dr Orlando Owoh. I hope his health has improved since this article. Well done on this article, Bell’Ihua.

Reply
Leye February 9, 2008 - 10:48 am

hope effort to raise funds for him, is in place……please more publicity

Reply
omotunde adafin December 12, 2007 - 12:55 pm

goodone sir,its time for us to remember baba kennerry's talent too not just fela's.

Reply
nelson kay August 1, 2007 - 11:26 pm

kennerry is a great man your good work will be remember . carry on papa oni faajiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii,baba duniyan.

Reply
OLATUNJI OLAWALE July 26, 2007 - 1:40 pm

Some people are born great and some acquire greatness in thier life time. This guy is indeed born to do it. Nice article and a master piece. Kudos!!!!!

Reply
Cindy Ihua-Maduenyi July 26, 2007 - 1:38 pm

Its a really good article and very comprehensive I must say.

Reply
CHARLES K. AIYEDUN July 18, 2007 - 9:32 am

You are the bomb man. Brilliant one.

Reply
kamdi Eloji July 17, 2007 - 4:47 pm

very , interesting , intense and well researched , nice one collegue and brother.

Reply
Anonymous July 15, 2007 - 11:32 pm

Outstanding and very true writeup. Chief Orlando Owoh is definitely a living legend worthy of the tribute.

Reply
Bisi Ayeola July 15, 2007 - 2:24 pm

What a brilliant thought! Big ups to you brother!

I fully support the idea of fund raising for Dr. Owoh's treatment in the UK or where ever in the world.

Let’s make this happen fellow Nigerians!

Reply
abm1900@mail.ru July 13, 2007 - 3:33 pm

This is an excellent piece on the achievement of Chief Orlando Owoh. It is very unfortunate that we Africans have lost our identity and cultural heritage. We are proud to admit that we don't speak our mother tongues. We don't celebrate our heroes unless they are first recognised and honoured by Europeans.

We assess our musicians, actors actresses based solely on whether they can speak english through their noses or not.

The western world respect Japanese and Asians in general because they are proud of their respective languages and culture. In this regard, we need to borrow a leaf from the Asians. We need to respect, recognise and reward those whose contribution to our music and culture are invaluable.

I completely support the suggestions proposed by the author to honour and assist this great African musician. The author is advised to publish this article in one of Nigerian newspapers.

Reply

Leave a Comment