24/08/2026
ÌJẸ̀BÚ FOOTPRINTS
Some names never fade; they become the rhythm through which generations remember where they came from.
Alhaji Haruna Ishola Bello, MON, popularly known as Baba Ngani Agba, was born in 1919 in Igbaire, Oke-Sopin, Ìjẹ̀bú-Igbo. He would go on to become one of Nigeria’s most influential musicians and the man widely celebrated as the Father of Àpàlà Music.
Before music became his calling, Haruna Ishola was a trader and had learnt blacksmithing from his father. His musical journey gathered momentum in the 1940s, and in 1947 he formed his own group. His first major recording, Orimolusi Adeboye, released in honour of the Orimolusi of Ìjẹ̀bú-Igbo, came in 1948. Though initially unsuccessful, he persevered. A re-recording in 1955 launched him into national prominence.
With his powerful voice, mastery of the gangan, agidigbo, agogo and sekere, and unforgettable praise-singing, Ishola transformed Àpàlà from a largely devotional musical form into a major popular genre. His songs were more than entertainment; they carried Yoruba proverbs, Islamic teachings, history, social commentary and moral lessons.
His remarkable catalogue included Oroki Social Club, one of the biggest-selling Nigerian records of its era, and he became one of the earliest Nigerian musicians to perform internationally. In 1969, he co-founded STAR Records with I.K. Dairo, described as the first African record label owned by its artistes. He later established Phonodisk, further cementing his place as both an artiste and music entrepreneur.
In recognition of his immense contribution to Nigerian music and culture, he was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Order of the Niger (MON) in 1981.
From Ìjẹ̀bú-Igbo to the world, Haruna Ishola gave Yoruba music a voice that could not be ignored. His influence lives on through generations of Àpàlà and Fuji musicians, including his son, Musiliu Haruna Ishola.
Today, we remember a musical giant whose footprints remain deeply engraved in the cultural history of Ìjẹ̀búland and Nigeria.
