Alhaji Ishola Adeyinka aka “Askarifuji”
By Our Reporter
Before the approval of the then Inspector General Of Police through a signal in April 1998, Alhaji Ishola Adeyinka aka “Askarifuji ” a batch of PMF 20,Ikeja had been playing Fuji music side by side with Police job on a low key.
But as soon as he was granted an approval, Askarifuji came out with full force and debuted with an album titled “Loyalty” in 1998 .And within a short period the album and its video became popular within and outside Nigeria .
After the release of the masterpiece album, the brave and dynamic Askarifuji started using his music to campaign against crime and other societal vices. He was also using his music as a bridge between the Police and the general public ;Projecting the image of the police through his music.
Despite his busy schedule musically he was able to combine his official duty (Police) with music to this end he has served in so many departments of the police such as Special Fraud Unit Milverton, ikoyi, Kano State CID, and State CID Panti Lagos etc.
Apart from being an household name musically, he has also risen from constable to Deputy Superintendent of Police. His efforts was also rewarded in his home , Ibadan when he was installed as Mogaji Alare Agbejonku of the Agbejonku Royal Dynasty Ibadan,Oyo State on 3 October ,2023 by the late Oba Mohud Ishola Balogun.With the title of a Mogaji, Askarifuji could be an Oba that is Olubadan in nearest future.
Askarifuji is a man of three parts, crime fighter, musician and cultural icon. He has released about 12 albums namely: Loyalty, Internet Fuji, Wetin You Carry, Live Wire, Authority, London Swagger Unmissable,Fuji Parade, Explosion, Innovation,Ibadan and Alaseju
As a talented musician, all his musical works contain one or two messages which are either crime fighting or campaigning against social vices or a word of advice to both young and old.
After his installation as “Mogaji”, Askarifuji did a thorough research on his town Ibadan and came out with an album titled “Ibadan” .The album with a musical video did not only promote the town but came out to correct a lot of misconceptions about the town called Ibadan.
The video which has been showing constantly on African Magic, DSTV has been receiving accolades from viewers both home and abroad.
His latest single titled “Alaseju” is a campaign against disobedient children.
In recognition of the immense contribution of Askarifuji to Ibadan and the whole nation in general the Central council of Ibadan Indegenes decorated him with an award ‘The Champion of Ibadan Culture “
With accolades coming from CCII and other groups people believe that the Nigerian Police ,The Olubadan in council and the Governor of Oyo State can do more by honouring the Policeman per excellence, musician and cultural Ambassador for him to do more.
