Oluwole Adetiran: A music icon par excellence

Ese Oghenetega Biographies, Featured 20/05/2022

Dr. Oluwole Adetiran was a music icon whose impact brought him recognition and honour. Before his passing, he was the national music director of Celestial Church of Christ (CCC). Also, he was notable for composing the anthem of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

American author, Richelle E. Goodrich said, “You are here to make a difference, to either improve the world or worsen it. And whether or not you consciously choose to, you will accomplish one or the other.”

Adetiran was an accomplisher whose light shone bright in his lifetime.

Education

The music icon was born on September 8, 1948 in Igbajo, Osun State. He was an indigene of Obafemi Owode Local Government Area, Ogun State. He began his elementary education at the Baptist Day School, Igbajo. Meanwhile, he studied music at University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State.

Career

He learnt the art of playing guitar from a Gold Coast returnee, Mr Dapo Taiwo. In 1965, he became a Cathedral organist. Also, he was the social prefect and choir director at the Baptist Teacher Training College.

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For about 30 years, he lectured at the Department of Music Technology, The Polytechnic, Ibadan. He established the first Music Technology department at the Polytechnic Ibadan, Oyo state, which he headed for eleven years. Also, he is the first lecturer in the department to become a Dean of Faculty of eight departments at the Polytechnic of Ibadan.

Celestial Church of Christ

He joined the Celestial Church of Christ at Army Barracks Road Parish, Mokola, Ibadan in the early 1970s. Until his death, he was the music director of CCC, worldwide and the founding rector of CCC Academy of Music Technology, Lagos.

Through Adetiran, the CCC Academy of Music, and Music Technology, was established in 2010. It was the first Monotechnic in Nigeria.

Achievements

In 1984, he composed the NYSC anthem while serving as a corps member in The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State. The anthem is still being recited till date. Also, he was part of the Celestial Church of Christ Hymns Technical Review Council from May 2009 to November 2019. He coordinated the largest single choir that features at the annual Luli Concert, a Christian worship concert. He was a member of the Pastor-in-Council of the Celestial Church of Christ Worldwide.

Late American baseball player, Jackie Robinson said, “A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.” Adetiran made an impact in the lives of others by training, nurturing and promoting several music stars in Nigeria before his passing.

Adetiran battled serious health challenges before he died on Friday, May 6, 2022.

Accolades

During a visit to Adetiran in his home in 2021, NYSC Director General, Major General Shuaibu Ibrahim, described Adetiran as a national hero. In his words: “Adetiran is a rare legend whose musical inspiration through the lyrics of NYSC anthem has instilled the spirit of patriotism in many youths who are now leaders in different fields. He is a national hero whose legacies became a source of inspiration for successive batches of Corps Members. Also, he would be remembered for the good works he had done to promote national unity.”