Twenty-three years after he has passed on to glory, juju icon, Sir Isaac Kehinde Dairo popularly known as Chief I. K Dairo will be immortalized next week Saturday in his homeland in Ijebu-Ijeshaland.
This much was gathered in a reliable information that the sage who serenaded the music scene in Nigeria and beyond with great songs like Feso Jaiye, Asiko, Salome, Ise Ori Ranmi Nimo Nse in the 1960s and 1970s till the 90s will be honoured on March 23rd at the Ijebu Ijesha Town hall by HRM Oba Moses Olufemi Agunsoye, Elegboro of Egboroland
Not only that, the living music icon, Orlando Julius Ekemode and his amiable wife, Latoya Aduke will also be honoured by the Royal majesty, Abikehin-Ekun Agunsoye ll, Elegboro of Ijebu-Jesa.
The music maestro, Sir O.J Ekemode will be honoured by the Oba as Gbelunuyi of Egboroland, Ijebu Ijesha and his wife, Latoya honoured as Yeye Asa of Egboroland, Ijebu Ijesha.
According to the statement received by Latoya Aduke and confirmed from the palace which reads, “HRM OBA (Engr.) MOSES OLUWAFEMI AGUNSOYE, ABIKEHIN EKUN, AGUNSOYE ll, ELEGBORO, OF IJEBU IJESHA and COUNCIL OF CHIEFS has found Dr. Orlando Julius Ekemode and his wife Humble self…Latoya Aduke Ekemode, worthy to be given Honorary Chieftancy Titles. We are grateful to His Royal Majesty and Community for the Honour. Adupe. Also Chief I K Dairo will be given a post humous honourary title”.
Chief I K Dairo who passed away in 1996 is one of the few Nigerians and and the only Nigerian musician known to all that was honoured with the Member of the British Empire MBE. He can be said to be one of those that propelled Juju music to where the likes of Ebenezer Obey and King Sunny Ade brought it the fame, it enjoys today. Chief I. K Dairo whose song Paul Play Dairo took over from where he stopped, rode the music collossus for decades with songs and albums like Salome, Ise Ori Ranmi Ni Mo Nse, I Remember My Darling, Erora Feso Jaiye, Se B’Oluwa Lo Npese, Yoruba Solidarity and Mo ti yege to name a few.
The song ‘Salome’ released in 1962 under Decca records was a song mixed with traditional elements in Yoruba culture and urban life as major themes. The song was a major hit of his. Another song of his which was quite popular was Ka Sora (Let Us Be Careful),
I.K. Dairo was born in the town of Offa, located in present-day Kwara State his family was originally from Ijebu-Ijesha before migrating to Offa.