The fans Club of late gospel music legendary Roland Olubukola Olomola, popularly called Baba Ara have designed 2-day programme to mark 20th anniversary of the demise of the musician, who passed at 42 years.
Penpushing reports that National President of Ara Fans Club Dr. Ezekiel Oyemomi in a statement disclosed that as part of the ceremony a remembrance church service will take place at Celestial Church of Christ Okiki-Imole in Sagamu on August 31, 2024.
The statement added that on September 1st 2024, there shall be a posthumous musical concert/ launching of Ara Foundation at Vogue Event Center opposite Railway Police Headquarters, behind Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Railway compound Ebute-Meta, Lagos State.
Penpushing further reports that the deceased was born on 2nd July, 1962, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. to the family of David Oladipupo Olomola and Mama Folakemi Olomola of Ilesha in Osun State, Nigeria
The profile has it that he had his primary education at Methodist Primary School, Ago-Oko, Abeokuta and Baptist Boy’s High School, Abeokuta, and later proceeded to Ogun State Polytechnic (Now Moshood Abiola Polytechnic) Abeokuta where he studied Food Science and Technology, and graduated with Higher National (H.N.D) in 1988.
Penpushing also reports that Baba Ara had been involved in gospel music since childhood at the Methodist Church Ago Oko where he was the Assistant Choirmaster before he joined the Celestial Church of Christ, Okiki Imole Parish, Iperu Road Sagamu, under his brother, Assistant Evangelist (Dr.) Ola Gbadebo J.P. (Prophet Jimata) in 1987.
The late renowned musician started his glorious musical journey in this parish, where he was the Choir Master of the Celestial Church of Christ, 3, Sabon Gari, Kano, starting from when he was on his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) assignment in Kano, between 1989 to 1993.
Penpushing reports that this was where he carved a name for himself from one of his demo album Baba Ara, Baba Mimo which became a household name in the Celestial Church of Christ worldwide and the music industry till date.
The statement said message to spread the good news through gospel music was revealed to him in 1989, which he refused to embark on due to his education background/qualification, and he later got a job with the Nigerian Bottling Company, Kano plant, in 1991, but eventually resigned this appointment in 1993 to actualize his calling.
Penpushing further reports that he recorded about four demonstration cassettes before the popular record of titled “Covenant ` which was released in 1994, and thereafter recorded nine other albums, amongst which are ‘The Call and the Anointing, Adiitu Agbayanu Nla (Amazing Mysteries), The Word, Jekaye Mo (Let The World Know), I am, Bada United With The Saints (dedicated to the late Celestial Pastor Rev. A. A. Bada), the Master Key, Halleluyah.
The others, including four different live shows he recorded and tagged OKO SELI I, II and III, while Sacrament was his latest record with marketers marketing the records till date, and before his demise the band toured five European countries, namely, France, Germany, Italy, Netherland and Belgium with his thrilling music.
Penpushing also reports that Baba Ara got married to his legal wife Mrs Idowu Olomola, who he loved so well and had children with the wife, was a Muslim before converting to Christianity after she got married to him.
The music star died on December,31, 2004, at the age of 42, after being ill for a short period of time, while his death came as a shock to many of his fans and colleagues in the music industry, and was buried in his home Sabo Government Reservation Area (GRA), Sagamu, Ogun State.
Penpushing reports that his legacy in the Nigerian gospel music industry continues to live on, having paved the way for many gospel musicians who have followed in his footsteps, while his music continues to inspire and uplift the souls of many people, both young and old.
The statement added that Baba Ara was a legendary gospel musician who made a significant impact on the Nigerian music industry during his career, as his unique music style and prophetic messages endeared him to many gospel music lovers in Nigeria and beyond.
‘Although he died at a young age, his legacy continues to live on through his music, which still inspires and touches the lives of many people. As we celebrate his 20 years remembrance’, the national president stated
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