Veteran Juju Music Star, AHUJA BELLO
Talks About Life @ 75

The name Alhaji Ismaila Ahuja Bello might not ring a bell as of today but the prominent musician known as Ahuja Bello, was one of Nigeria’s great juju musicians of the 70s and early 80s. He had a signature guitar shaped like a gun and was described as a replica of Juju maestro, King Sunny Ade, he also wore a resemblance of KSA. At the outset of his career, it was a kind of pleasure ride on the boulevard of the Nigerian entertainment industry, when he released his debut album, Awa Ti Dan Fo, in 1976. He was certainly not a flash in the pan, as he subsequently turned out hit upon hit. He soared high, even to the envy of some, on the wings of such ever-green albums like Ariya ti de, Ahuja in London, Ijo Olomo, Fellow Nigerians and Victory. He was loved by his fans. He globetrotted. He also probably had no worries bed-hopping, typical of an averagely successful musician. He had cars. He even built a modest house in his hometown, Iseyin, Oyo State. Above all, he was a household name.