When discussing indigenous musicians in Nigeria, particularly in Fuji music, the name Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, or K1, is indispensable.
Although he has superiors, many of his fans—and indeed, he—believe that, following the death of Fuji music originator Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, he is the preeminent figure in the genre.
Wasiu Ayinde has firmly established himself as a formidable force within this vibrant musical tradition despite the rife rivalry and discord within the Fuji music scene, where artists often vie for supremacy.
For some time now, Wasiu Ayinde has been criticised by the family of the late Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and fellow Fuji musician Saheed Osupa for his attempts to reinterpret the history of Fuji music, a genre from which he has greatly benefitted.
His efforts to discredit and belittle his mentor, the late Dr. Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, were strongly opposed by Barry Made and Saheed Osupa, who condemned K1’s actions.
Osupa firmly stated that Sikiru Ayinde Barrister was the originator of Fuji music and warned K1 against attempting to alter its history.
Sensing Osupa’s firm stance on the origins of Fuji music and his lyrical prowess, K1 later apologised to all Fuji musicians, including Kollington Ayinla and Saheed Osupa.
However, shortly after this controversy subsided, Ayinde’s divisive nature resurfaced. K1 was recorded on video speaking with President Bola Tinubu, who had called to express condolences for his mother’s passing without showing due respect to the president.
Again, in a manner typical of his controversial nature, K1 was also captured on video making disparaging remarks about uninvited Islamic scholars who had come to offer their sympathies for his mother’s death.
Even on the eighth day of Fidau prayers for his mother, an Islamic cleric, Sheikh Suliamon Faaruq Onikijipa, respectfully requested Wasiu Ayinde Marshal to apologize to the Islamic scholars whom he had previously disparaged in a derogatory manner. However, K1 declined to comply with this request.
In the annals of human behaviour, few traits are as pernicious as arrogance, particularly when it manifests as an obstinate refusal to acknowledge one’s transgressions.
Such is the lamentable case of Wasiu Ayinde, whose inflated sense of self-worth has rendered him impervious to reason and devoid of humility.
Ayinde, ensconced in a cocoon of self-importance, has committed grievous errors yet remains obstinately unrepentant.
K1 has engaged in actions that contravene societal norms and discomfort those around him.
His decisions, driven by a misguided sense of superiority, have precipitated discord and discontent among many Islamic scholars.
Rather than reflecting upon the ramifications of his conduct, he has chosen to cloak himself in a veneer of invulnerability, dismissing pleas for apology as mere trifles unworthy of his attention.
Even when the cleric confronted him with the consequences of his actions, he was called to contrition, but his ego again came into play, and he refused.
I was even told that many of his acquaintances implored him to recognise the gravity of his tantrum and offer a sincere apology—a gesture that could have soothed the wounds he inflicted. However, driven by an unbridled ego, he dismissed these entreaties with disdainful arrogance, viewing any acknowledgement of fault as a slight to his inflated self-image.
Wasiu Ayinde’s refusal to apologise is emblematic of a profound folly; the belief that one’s own dignity is predicated upon an unyielding facade of perfection.
But in reality, the capacity for humility and self-reflection engenders true respect and admiration from others. By refusing to apologise, K1 not only perpetuates a cycle of animosity but also diminishes his own standing in the eyes of those who once regarded him with esteem.
Wasiu Ayinde’s refusal to acknowledge his faults is not merely an act of defiance but an abdication of moral responsibility.
In the grand tapestry of human interaction, those who embrace humility and seek reconciliation ultimately emerge victorious.
K1 should be reminded that while ego may provide a fleeting sense of superiority, humility fosters lasting connections and genuine respect.
