When I wrote the proposal on FUMAN, neither Fuji musicians nor Fuji music had an association like the Juju Band Leaders Association of Nigeria (JUBAL).

While contentious rivalry between the two leading acts, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister (SAB) and General Killington Ayinla (GKA) were going on, the upcoming Fuji musicians like Adewale Ayuba (always stand out), Abbas Obesere, Pasuma, Saheed Osupa (I was MC at his first record launched at Enu-Owa square, Idumota, Lagos under Alasco Video and Records), Shina Akanni, Adisa Alasela, Easy Kabaka, Musibau Alani, Atawewe (about the youngest Fuji musician then) and others who were struggling to make names and visited MAAN Secretariat in Mushin for endorsement and signing off their live performances right for the MAAN to freely record, play and distribute for sales on the ground of free promotion and advertising for public acceptance.

The Lagos State Executive, then led by Mr Takinso, directed me to secure a courtesy visit appointment to KWAM 1, with his manager, Dayo Olomu (D.O.), which I secured with the manager.

Before the visit to his former residence at Adetola area of Surulere, I thought of what to present to him and thought of the proposal to form fuji association readily came to mind, with my knowledge of writing proposals as a media assistant at Everet & associate (an ad agency where I came to joined MAAN), I used the template of MAAN to write the proposal for the formation of FUMAN, I suggested the name, the vision, mission and the aims.

The draft was typed by a commercial lady typist (now a pastor in MFM church), of a popular business centre, Roy Caff business centre, beside Olosan Police Station in Mushin, where I used to type MAAN’s documents on an electronic IBM typewriter. When she finished typing, she jokingly asked if I wanted to leave MAAN and join KWAM 1, but I said no. Years later, our paths crossed, and she asked rhetorically why I didn’t follow up on the proposal.

Prior to the visit, I confided in the MAAN Task Force Chairman (Omo Eko) after typing the 3-page proposal. To assist me, I influenced other members of the exco to permit me to present the proposal to KWAM 1, and they accepted. I should do that at the end of the official visit.

On the visiting day, we couldn’t locate the house tucked in Adetola area of the inside streets at Surulere easily, save for D.O.’s managerial skills to direct us to the house; there was no cell phone then.

After the official courtesy visit, I signalled to make a presentation to KWAM 1 and was permitted. I quickly explained myself and made the presentation to KWAM 1, which he collected from me with thanks and promised to look into it. He immediately handed it over to D.O., and we left but never followed up.

After I left MAAN, I had another privilege of following my new boss, Alhaji Adedeji (Dejisco Sound), with Alhaji Bishi, both islanders and close friends of KWAM 1, for a private visit to his new house at Okota, to see the much-touted remote control gate of the house. On getting there and after introductions, he recognised me and asked if I was the same person who presented him a proposal during the visit of the MAAN exco at Surulere. I answered in affirmation. He shook my hand and said Good to see you. At least, the recognition gladdened my heart.

After exchanging banter with his friends, he led them on a tour of the building, and I followed. Because it was Ramadan, there was no reason for entertainment, and we decided to leave. Before leaving, from his livestock within the compound, KWAM 1 presented both Alhaji Dejisco and Bishi with 2 big live turkeys each and gave me one. Don’t bother to ask what I did with my turkey.

While leaving, his record label owner, Baba Laje Records, Alhaji Ambali Olatunji (later became the Olubadan of Ibadan), strolled in. As soon as KWAM 1 set eyes on him, he fumed with anger and talked him down. At the same time, reporting him to Dejisco and Bishi. The elderly man was just pleading, saying, edakun, ebami be, komabinu (please, help me, beg him, not to get offended). It was a funny scenario, but with the intervention of Dejisco and Bishi, who pleaded on behalf of Baba Laje, they later joked about the issue and laughed over it, as I watched and admired my turkey with the thought of what to do with it.

Gracious Kayode Akintayo (GKA)

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