Mixed reactions have continued to trail the revelation made by Kunle Ayanlowo, a former talking drummer working with legendary Fuji icon, Wasiu Ayinde, popularly known as Kwam1, who accused the musician of treating his band members as slaves.
In a now-viral three minutes video, Ayanlowo, who worked with the Fuji musician for 32 years, said all his efforts were futile because he did not achieve anything throughout the over three decades of dedicated service to Kwam1.
The talking drummer also alleged that Wasiu Ayinde failed to give him three of his international passports in the musician’s possession when he decided to quit his job
Reacting to the development, a former Oyo State House of Assembly member, representing Oyo East/West State constituency, Barrister Muideen Olagunju, asked the band members not to blame K1 for their misfortune, noting that they are the captains of their own ships and they ought to know when to sail or retract.
In his opinion “I am not an insider into Wasiu Ayinde’s band operations. I hardly even like him as a musician. If it’s Fuji, Barrister and Obesere are my favourites. So, my take on the issue of Wasiu’s FORMER band members coming out to discredit him about his poor approach to their welfare will be from the standpoint of an officious bystander.”
He said further that It is not uncommon for subordinates to say about their oga “mi o achieve nkankan lara e”. Trust me, I have been at the other end of the stick before. The questions are:
Barrister Olagunju also questioned if there is no wage structure in the band?
Adding that If you worked with your oga for over 30 years and you feel he was not doing enough about your welfare, why stay that long?
“Imagine yourself in a circle of office colleagues. You guys earn the same salary. Is it possible to achieve the same saving capabilities? Your lifestyle, your responsibilities and even your health will determine your savings.”
If you’re an ophan but your colleague has two parents who depend on him, it is likely that you’ll be able to have more savings. Also, what you eat, drink, wear and your options of housing determine the retention or dissipation of your income.
I know civil servants who don’t earn more than their salaries who have more beautiful houses than me. I earn 10 times their salaries. Even in the same government office, you have someone who has completed his house while another has not saved enough to buy land.
There is no guarantee that someone who earns 500k per month will be able to save more than someone who earns 200k. It depends on lifestyle, responsibilities and investment options.
The former Lawmakers maintained that he sees nothing wrong with seizing international passports of band members when they travel abroad for tours. Band members do abscond abroad especially now that the Japa syndrome is prevalent. If band members abscond, it will disrupt the tour of the musician. Prevention is better than cure.
“Those comparing Wasiu’s houses and hotels with the houses belonging to band members are jokers. Wasiu is the life of his band. He is irreplaceable in the band. Others are replaceable. He is the goose that lays the golden eggs. Someone even said Wasiu is sending his children to schools abroad yet the son of one of the band member is a panel-beating apprentice. How is that Wasiu’s fault? Women in Akesan Market are funding university education of their children fah!”
He, however, concluded by saying that a boss can truly be the motivator-in-chief for his employees. A periodic reward system is good. It can come with gift of cars, plots of land or even full or partial scholarships for children of employees. BUT if your Oga is not doing any of that, remember you’re the captain of your own ship.
Findings revealed that the legendary Fuji icon, Wasiu Ayinde, decided to use a stick and carrot measures with his band members after some of them absconded abroad where he was billed to perform and others choose to disrespect him without a course for remorse over their actions.
