Friends, colleagues mourn as Father U Turn is buried in Badagry

Tributes have continued to pour in, since the death, yesterday, of nineties dance-hall star Father U Turn, following a brief illness.

The Kogi-born musician passed on yesterday, after spending 10 days on admission at a private hospital in Ajangbadi, on the outskirts of Lagos.

He was buried same day, in Badagry, according to family members who spoke with Nigerian Entertainment Today.
NET publisher Ayeni Adekunle who grew up with the late artiste in Okokomaiko, Lagos, described him as 'a go-getter, a die hard accomplisher who built a brand out of nothing.'
'He fought poverty and lack to become a breadwinner for his family. And he worked so hard fame and fortune had no choice but to smile on him', Ayeni says of his lost friend whose star dimmed in his latter years.

'Sadly, he faced many challenges he did not overcome before the sad news of his passing. These challenges have a lot to do with the troubles that came with fame, with celebrity. But I'm sure he fought a good fight. U Turn was a true performer and entertainer, and one of those pioneers who made the industry shine before it became a big money sector.

U Turn's colleagues Baba Fryo, Nico Gravity, Daddy Showkey and many others are still in shock. Gravity was one of the first to share the sad news on Twitter, writing 'we have lost U Turn.'.
Another friend Saheed Balogun, with whom the late U Turn shared a special bond, is also traumatized, with many of his fans consoling him on Twitter.

Many young Nigerians asked repeatedly yesterday, 'Who is Father U-Turn?', especially as his name trended for hours on the social media platform. He was a songwriter, TV producer and presenter, performer and entrepreneur who built a successful music career for himself, after moving to Lagos as a young orphan. He worked many menial jobs, including being a domestic help, before getting his break.
He became one of the early music stars from Okokomaiko, where he lived all his life; and he was the most remarkable musician and entertainer from his native Kabba-Bunnu, in Kogi State. Father U Turn inspired a generation of ghetto music stars from Okoko to Ajegunle.

Following his departure from Ultima records which released his two successful albums, he worked for many years to take his career further, but only swam in troubled waters, especially following a contract mishap with Gbenga Adewusi of Bayowa Records. It was only in 2012 that he began to put the pieces of his career together, with tremendous support from friends and colleagues. Just a few months ago, he released a collaboration with K-Solo. A follow up material, to feature Fuji Star Malaika, as well as a Christmas EP were also on the way.

Father U Turn was buried yesterday in Badagry where he made one of his last stage performances with Baby Fryo, months ago. He us survived by his wife Ajimoh and five children.
Source: NET