COMFORT OLUWAFEMI OMOGE : THE ENIGMA THAT TOOK THE CENTRE STAGE OF IKALE BY STORM

Late Comfort Oluwafemi Omoge was born at Igbisin, Okitipupa local government on 5th December 1919, to the famous Osowe family of Igo- Aduwo quarters Ilutitun.
As a young girl, Comfort was sharp, precocious and cheerful. Every body liked her. At about the age of six years, her parents were persuaded by the early missionary officers to send her to school. Since it was not the practice to send children to school at an early age and it was also not the practice to send female children to school. This looked like the making of providence because her parents agreed to send her to school. She was sent to Local Authority (L.A.) Primary School Igbisin but unfortunately, she was in primary three (3) when she lost her dear mother, Ebimojumi which eventually led to the end of her schooling since her father chief Ademeso had to pay special attention to taking care of her.
Late Comfort Oluwafemi Omoge was 14years old when she started music and became fully involved in music when she was seventeen (17) years old.
Her major source of encouragement was her husband Oba Williams Adun Omoge the traditional ruler of Igbodigo kingdom who observed that late comfort always sang new beautiful songs from her dreams while sleeping. Late Comfort was therefore advised by her husband to form a group of band members that will enable her project the talent. She therefore formed the Aboba- Asiko band around 1931.
Asiko Music was resuscitated by Madam Comfort Omoge regarded as Queen of Asiko Music. The name of the music is deeper than literary interpretation and dated back to early 20th century. Comfort Omoge was the progenitor of the modern brand that liberalised its content. According to her, ASIKO means two groups of dancers’ moving and dancing at the center. i.e. as moving dancers “Asi”, and Ko- meet, hence the name Asiko.
The history of Asiko emanated from light music entertainment after the return of folks from the farm and trading ventures in the evening, mostly after the dinner. The Osoro othorchitones within Ikale land also call the music “Amuludun”.
Comfort Omoge introduced Christian songs now in vogue into Asiko music, modern days hip-hop and gospel musicians have remixed her works repeatedly.
One of the reasons for the sudden popularity of Asiko Music over others is its liberal appeal. The music is mild and flowing, it has scripts that considers love songs and contemporary dynamics of events and circumstances, unlike Biripo that is fixated in lyrics.
In 1976 Comfort Omoge and her Asiko group released her first Album at Igbodigo. Comfort Omoge is known for her Angelic voice and ability to compose extemporarily while the beat is on, to suit the mood, thrill the sensibility and emotional adrenaline of celebrants.
She was a lover of culture. She was a scion of women’s active music enterprise in Ikaleland as she was the first woman in Ikale and old Ondo State to take music as a profession.
Comfort was known for her success and exceptional angelic voice in singing kegite songs now popularly played world wide. Asiko music would have officially hit International Music scene in the first quarter of 1984 if not for fate. Madam Comfort Omoge was nominated by the Federal government of Nigeria to represent the country at the Black Cultural Festival scheduled for USA in April 1984 but did not materialised due to the change of government in December 1983. Nevertheless, she was the first to go for Musical Jamboree in 1964.
This music legend was a member of Aboba cooperative society.
She was the National Adviser of the Performing Musician Association of Nigeria (PMAN) before her death on 28th August, 1999.
At a point in time in the early 90s a rumour of her death was spread all over the world and this prompted her to release another heavy Almbum titled “Metiku” meaning “I am not dead”.
Madam Comfort was conferred with the chieftaincy titles of Laluwoye of Osooro land and Chief Amuludun of Ilaje Bariga, to mention very few.
She bagged the Ondo State Merit Award 3 times,Best PMAN merit award
Musical Jamboree “best” 1964,The best traditional Musician by PMAN.
It is imperative to note that apart from Oba Wiliams (Comfort's husband) some other notable citizens were contributors to Comfort's musical aggrandizement like major Akinsola Oluwatoyin Akinsuroju – Director of Oluwatoyin Sawmill, Okitipupa, king Sunny Ade, Madam Modeola Akindele, late Madam Maloma Akindele Maryland International Hotels Okitipupa, and Chief Olu Adeboye to mention few.
The major problem of Aboba Asiko Music Band was lack of adequate finance which made it impossible for the legend to travel out of Nigeria.
Mrs Idowu Fafoluyi nee Omoge (Comfort Omoge successor) explained that Mama’s most bitter experience in music was in Ogudu areas at Lagos in 1991, a heavy rain disturbed the occasion while her most interesting performance was around 1990 at lagos, many fans and spectators who were anxious to se her for the first time flooded the scene of the event. The venue was filled up and over crowded.
Late comforts best album ever was “Olorun mi iwo ni ma sin titi aye” released in 1979.
She was an active member of zion Gospeller church Oke-Igbala Igbodigo Okitipupa, Ondo state. She was 80 years old when she departed this sinful world on 28th august, 1999.
Many years after her death, her songs are still very fresh and evergreen. Her songs were too natural and original gift from nature indeed.
It is interesting to know that despite the death of this heroine, her band still remained intact without any change of name. Her children ably led by Mrs Idowu Fafoluyi nee Omoge took over the leadership of the band.
1) Prince mimo Omoge. Band director.
2) Rev. Pastor the Agidi – Manager.
3) Pastor Omotunmise- Engineer.
4) Princess Idowu fafoluyi -Band Leader.
5) Apostle segun omoge volalist.
6) Samson Igbasan – Bass Drummer
7) Ebun Adanle – Set Drum.
Oye ogunbajo –Dancer.
9) Deaconess Idowu Akindele – Treasurer.
Queen Omoge did not just give up the ghost without a successor; she was replaced by her daughter Princess Idowu Fofoluyi, who also sings with the same voice of her mother.
It is my great pleasure to present this workaholic ,this enterprising woman, this musical genius, this worthy model of a wife and a mother, this all rounder of success, a successful housewife, a successful mother, a successful musician and a successful citizen for the award of IKALE EVERGREEN LEGEND AWARD, Posthumous.
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Found and played some of her songs on YouTube