Top musicologists honour late Apostolic Faith Church music director Aina

Honour musicologists, churches and others on Tuesday gathered for a Musical Tribute in honour of late veteran musician and former Director of Music at the Apostolic Faith Church, Rev. John Aina.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Musical Tribute, held at the Tolu Odugbemi Hall, University of Lagos, had in attendance scholars and gospel music artistes from Nigeria and abroad.

Also present at the Musical Tribute were organists, choir members and orchestra from the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Yaba, and other vocalists and conductors, including Mr Bidemi Oyesanya, SAN, among others.

Stephen Olusoji, Associate Professor of Music in the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos, and the Head of the Music Department, University of Lagos, Prof. Albert Oikelome, were present.

Olusoji, in his address, extolled the virtues of the late Aina, whom he described as an exceptional and talented musician.

“It is good to appreciate Rev. Aina for what he has done. I was able to celebrate him in person at a symposium organised for him at the Mountain Top University when he was alive.

“Rev. Aina was blessed with unparalleled charisma and skills, a father to many musicians, and he was a legendary composer.

“He was an incomparable organ virtuoso and an improviser extraordinaire, a man of the spirit who brought life to music, so we are here to celebrate him and be grateful for his exemplary lifetime.

“Rev. Aina was a role model worthy of emulation to many of us as musicians, and his legacy in music attracted us to go to the university to study music,” he said.

Olusoji also noted that Aina gave his all for the sake of humanity and was humble enough to associate himself with everyone who came his way.

He then called for the institutionalisation of Aina’s works and compositions, especially the establishment of a student prize award for music students in tertiary institutions in his honour.

Oikelome, on his part, described the late Aina as music personified and an embodiment of music to many generations.

“Rev. Aina gave life to music and has inspired many of us to appreciate music,” he said.

Prof. Bamidele Fakorede, a retired lecturer at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) and a close associate of Aina, said the late veteran established the real art of classical music in the church during his lifetime.

“Music is number one in the mission of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, and this is what Rev. Aina put all his life into.

“He encouraged lots of young people, not just singing songs but playing instruments. A lot of young people have to earn a choice where there is music to draw people, to make people take what they are preaching.

“In Apostolic Faith Church, we start with music. The prelude of music, and then the announcement and so on. The sermon may take only 30 minutes or less, but singing and music takes longer time.

“Music is a universal language that draws people; they listen to music and sit tight in their place because of the music, which is very important to the spread of the gospel,” he said.

Mr Lana Alofe, one of Rev. Aina’s students but now a pastor of the Apostolic Church in East Midwestern Massachusetts,U.S., gave a beautiful reminiscence of his association with the late music icon, whom he described as a loving father.

“Pa Aina’s knowledge of classical music is great; he is also endowed with the knowledge of traditional Nigerian music, which is great too because as long as it appeals to the audience, it can carry the message.

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is moved by church music. So, any church that can harness music positively within their own experience can use it to express that message of love that Jesus Christ [brought].

“Rev. Aina was a veteran of music in the Apostolic Faith Church. He was also a vehicle that God used to take music from its infancy to a height that we’re still trying to maintain.

“When he took over as director of music, it was a small orchestra, but it has moved rapidly so fast because of his dedication, his tenacity and his zeal for perfection,” he said.

Alofe also restated that the late Aina developed the choir and orchestra to a level where the church was able to start singing music that competed favourably with Western music.

“Pa Aina was a director of music who was loved by people because he had a heart of gold that forgives easily, that is tolerant, that will persevere like a shepherd,” he said.

NAN reports that Aina, born 1938, died on May 1.

Musicians across the globe also performed at the Musical Tribute, including popular Anglican church organist, Odedeji Babajide (Aluduru); Adekunle Mofolasayo from Canada, Gabriel Duntoye from France, and Aduralere and Yanmife Ojumu from Canada.

Others who graced the epoch-making event were Tope from the U.S., frontline public relations expert, Mr Barnabas Akindele, and the host of the event, Mr Tony Ademuyiwa, among others.

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