Dare Babalola
In a heartwarming revelation, Kollington Ayinla’s daughter, Abibat Banjo Dolapo Ilori, aka Awele Alagbo, has shed light on the intricate relationship between her father and his colleague and friend, Fuji music icon, Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister.
Despite rumors of tension between the two music legends, Ayinla’s daughter described a familial bond that transcends mere friendship.
According to Awele on a postcard hosted by the Kola Olootu Live, Barrister was a kind and loving person who treated her like one of his own children. She recalls having a great relationship with him, often referring to him as “Daddy.”
She added that the family would frequently play Barrister’s music during ceremonies, and his pictures adorned their walls.
Awele attributed the strong bond between their families to her grandmother’s close relationship with Barrister.
She described the relationship between Barrister and her father as “sibling-like,” with Barrister being a father figure to her and her siblings, while her father played a paternal role in Barrister’s children’s lives.
“We were not made to feel that Barrister and my dad had issues. It could be obvious to outsiders but in the house, we did not know,” Awele said.
The affectionate relationship between the two families is evident in the way Ayinla’s children interact with Barrister’s family. Ayinla’s daughter mentions that she speaks with Barrister’s son, Sikiru, like siblings, and that no one in their home dares refer to Barrister formally.
She added, “Despite the things others say outside, in our house, we regarded Barrister and Kollington as siblings because it was a totally different case. No person from my home dares call him Alhaji Barrister, we call him our daddy. My father will deal with the child mercilessly. We play Barristers music more during a ceremony in our house, we have his pictures all over our wall.”
This glimpse into the personal lives of these music icons humanises them and showcases the strong family bonds that exist beyond their public personas.
