I composed NYSC anthem for posterity – Oluwole Isaac Adetiran
By YINKA FABOWALE
Friday, October 26, 2007

When asked whether or not he is a self-made man, Mr Oluwole Isaac Adetiran, foremost musicologist and former Dean, Faculty of Business and Communication Studies, The Polytechnic, Ibadan simply said "yes and no."

He justified the ‘yes’ with the story of how as an ordinary street musician, trudging the ghettos, night clubs and cafes in Ibadan and Lagos in the late 60’s, he fought to acquire formal education and eventually attained the peak of his career.

But, he was quick to acknowledge God as the architect of his fate and his main source of help.
Osun State-born Adetiran, who composed the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) anthem and that of his state of origin among several masterpieces, discovered and mentored many musicians, including Shola Allyson of the Eji Owuro fame, Remi Olabanji (Black Face) as well as Baba Ara.
The multi-instrumentalist, who is music director for the Celestial Church of Christ (Worldwide), shared his story with Daily Sun after a concert he staged recently at The Polytechnic Ibadan Campus in honour of a late colleague, Mr Bisi Adegoke.

Background
I grew up in a Christian family. My father and mother were Deacon and Deaconess of the Baptist Church respectively. I inherited musical talent from both of them. My Mother was a high chief, the Odofin Obinrin of Igbajo in Osun State and was also head of a traditional group that represented the Western Region in traditional performance competition. She was also in charge of the choir of the First Baptist Church, Igbajo and later became Iya Ijo. My father was a bugle blower in the Nigerian Army during the First World War. So, I inherited my musical talent from the couple.

How I started
I started playing music right from the church. All the genres – highlife, juju and others, using modern musical instruments originated from the church. It was from there I had my informal training. I was taught how to play guitar by Dapo Taiwo, the man who composed Kabiyesi O, Hossanah O. I used to trek from ‘Nalende to Liberty Road, a distance of about 10 kilometres, where I received the lessons in Ibadan. Rev. Damola Falade taught me how to play the organ. From then on, I became a street musician.

I freelanced for many bands as a guitarist, including Idowu Animasaun, Dele Ojo and E. S. Odeyemi. I later became an actor with Ajimajasan Theatre Group. I was the first Oko Iyajebu.
All the while, I still performed with musicians at Metro Club, Oke Ado and Independence Hotel; where a group of students I was taught guitar, paid me with suya and drinks all in Ibadan. It was a really rough and tough life. I was doing everything, the only thing I did not do was to steal.

Divine intervention
But I still thought I don’t belong to the world, given my religious background. A friend introduced me to CCC late 1960s and early 1970s. When I saw the miracle of God there, where I did not have to worry what to eat, what to use, I willingly stayed. I am proud to say we co-founded the CCC, Mokola, Ibadan and I was the first guitarist and first organist of that church. I saw not only the help of humans, but also God’s. I was no longer starving. I was also introduced to God and Jesus.

Education
All along, I was interested in going back to school. I had earlier dropped out of school, but I enrolled and passed the GCE ‘O’Level on my own. That was what took me to Baptist College, Ede, where I formally trained as a musician. Of course, because of my background knowledge, I was scoring 99 per cent. The examiners refused to give me 100 per cent.

After Ede, I taught for just nine months at Trinity Nursery and Primary School, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta and in 1977, I gained admission to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) to study Music. While there, I also obtained the Royal School of Music, London certificate.

I bagged my Masters’ Degree in Musicology from the University of Ibadan in 1987. I was already lecturing at The Polytechnic by then. I actually served at The Polytechnic, and was retained when my talent was discovered. I had won the competition in which we were asked to compose an anthem for the NYSC. My entry won and it is still the one being used till today as NYSC anthem. We actually waxed it as an album and for this, I won a state merit award.

Other laurels
I co-waxed our first extended play with Remi Olabanji under the auspices of the CCC in 1973. It was entitled: Maa Ka Bibeli (I will read the Bible). The following year, we did Jesu Nke (Jesus Weeps). This was followed by Ope Loye O (Gratitude due unto you) in 1976.
Besides, I was always taking the choir to competitions, which we always won. The choir had performed for General Ibrahim Babangida during his state visit to Oyo State in 1992 at the Liberty Stadium. We also performed at the Better Life House in Abuja. Also at a time, the choir was the official choir of Aso Rock, while the immediate past President Olusegun Obasanjo was in office.

My students, including Eji Owuro (Shola Allyson), who is number nine in my choir, Seyi Solagbade and Remi Olabanji (Black Face) are doing well and can be found in all music studios.

On Allyson
She’s very brilliant. But she is not doing what I expected. I want her to be the second female professor of Musicology after Mosunmola Obidike. She’s using only half of her talent.

Academic career
I was made Head of Department of Music Technology, while still a lecturer II. I headed the department for 11 years and God has been faithful. During the period, we got accreditation as Department of Music Technology, the first in Africa. Here, we don’t just learn Music, but also how to make musical instruments.

From a staff of four lecturers, we now have 48 members of staff and this was achieved within just four years.

My responsibilities as Dean had constrained me from finishing my PhD, now that I am no longer Dean, I intend facing the job squarely, because I don’t want anybody to give me honorary doctoral degree.