Jonathan Condoles Families Of Fatai Rolling Dollar, Odiase

LAGOS, June 12, (THEWILL) - President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday commiserated with the families, colleagues, associates and friends of the composer of Nigeria’s National Anthem, Pa Benedict Odiase, and multi-talented highlife legend, Pa Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju, popularly known as Fatai Rolling Dollar, who both passed away on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning respectively.

A statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, said, “President Jonathan believes that the late police officer, who was the Director of the Nigerian Police Band until he retired in 1992, will always be remembered and honoured whenever the National Anthem which captures the vision of Nigeria as a great nation is played.”

Speaking further on Odiase, the statement added, “As he is mourned, the President urges Pa Odiase’s family, former colleagues in the police and friends across the country to be consoled by the knowledge that the late police officer lived an exemplary life, and in passing on, bequeathed an indelible legacy to the nation which will continue to inspire present and future generations of Nigerians to greater heights of accomplishment.

“President Jonathan prays for the peaceful repose of Pa Odiase’s soul.”

In his statement on the demise of Fatai Rolling Dollar, Abati said, “President Jonathan shares the grief of all lovers of music over the death of the illustrious entertainer, master singer, guitarist and exponent of the native thumb piano who continued to perform and exhibit his unqualified love for the music profession at an age when most of his contemporaries had long retired.

“The President believes that the late Fatai Rolling Dollar who enthralled his teeming followers throughout his career of over 64 years will, even in death, remain an enduring influence on African music and that the vacuum his death has created in the Nigerian entertainment industry will be hard to fill.

“He extends heartfelt condolences to the late musician’s family and prays that God Almighty grant his soul eternal rest.”