Fuji Legend Kollington Ayinla Hospitalised, Family Silent on His Health

Sources have told SaharaReporters that veteran Nigerian Fuji musician, Alhaji Kolawole Rasaq Ilori, better known as Kollington Ayinla, is seriously ill and has been in the hospital for days.

The 75-year-old musician has been suffering from an undisclosed ailment for more than a week and was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) in Ikeja, the sources said.

They added that his condition had worsened and he had to be put on oxygen.

However, the family has not made any public statement on his health status.

SaharaReporters tried to contact Kollington directly but his mobile phone was switched off.

His son, Sheriff Olori, who is also a musician with the stage name Big Sheff, did not respond to a text message sent by our reporter.

Kollington, who was born in August 1949, hails from Ilota, a town near Ilorin, Kwara State. He has several nicknames, such as Baba Alatika, Kebe-n-Kwara, and Baba Alagbado.

Kollington and his late rival and friend, Ayinde Barrister, were the pioneers and stars of Fuji music for many years. They helped to make the genre popular and influential.

From the mid-1970s to the late ’80s, Kollington and Barrister were the undisputed kings of Nigerian Fuji music.

Their rivalry faded as Fuji music grew in popularity and market size.

In 1983, they both attended the funeral of Apala star, Haruna Ishola, as a sign of respect and solidarity.

Barrister passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital in London on December 16, 2010.