Alhaji Fatai Odus L’Aiyepe (pictured) was one of Ayinde Barrister’s earliest and most generous patrons, highly sought after by many musicians of his time.
Barrister dedicated a track to him on his “Iya Laje of Lagos” album and recorded a live performance for him in the late 1970s, which is considered one of his finest live performances.
The Aiyepe-born businessman and socialite hailed from Agbole Oya in Lagos Island. He was a close friend of Babatunde Oyadolu and Tunji Teluta, members of Ayinde Barrister’s band who were also from Agbole Oya.
Fatai Odus (Baba Idaya) later played a crucial role in facilitating the move of Oyadolu and most of the former Fuji Londoners band members to form a new band under the leadership of both Mukaila Adisa and Babatunde Oyadolu.
He sadly died young in the 1980s.
Photo credit Lagos Island childhood Gist.