Baba Onilu
Ayangbenle, the beloved elderly drummer widely known as ‘Baba Onilu,’ has passed away.
A native of Ede in Osun State, he was famous for his exceptional drumming skills, particularly at the Osun Osogbo Festival, where he played a key role as a special drummer for Osun.
According to News Bulletin, his son confirmed the news, saying, “Baba Onilu has passed away overnight. May Almighty Allah grant him Aljanah Firdaus.” He added that his father’s final words were, “La Ilaaha Illa Lahu.”
A Legacy of Cultural Drumming
Baba Onilu was a familiar presence at the University of Ibadan, where he entertained students during convocation ceremonies. He also performed for corps members in Ibadan, earning widespread admiration.
In April 2022, he gained national recognition when Adisa Olashile, a corps member and photographer, captured and shared stunning images of him on Twitter. The photos quickly went viral, propelling Baba Onilu into the digital spotlight.
Olashile later turned two of the images into NFTs, selling them for 0.3 ETH each (approximately one million naira) on OpenSea. Honoring his commitment, he gave Baba Onilu 50% of the earnings. The elderly drummer received 500,000 naira, along with an extra 100,000 naira from donations. He was also presented with a framed portrait of his viral image.
A Life Devoted to Drumming
In an interview last year, Ayangbenle revealed that he inherited his drumming talent from his father and had no formal training.
“Drumming runs in my paternal grandmother’s lineage. I started drumming in Ibadan,” he shared.
His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy as a cultural icon lives on.
