I met Steve Rhodes for the first time in 1954 at Nigerian Broadcasting Service, Ikoyi Lagos. He and one Mr. Oyesiku were the top shots at the Radio station then. Those days, there was nothing like recorded music. We played live. I was then with J.O. Araba (now later). He was engaged then as a standby in-house musician who played when any invited musicians failed to come.

There was this day that Steve listened to our music and asked if we have ever recorded our songs. When we said no, he gave us a letter to one Mr. De Born, a white man at Phillips located then at Broad Street , Lagos . Having tested us, the man was impressed with our performance and went ahead to recorded an album for us.

After five years, I parted ways with J. O. Araba and formed my own band. I carried on for a long time until the Unknown Soldier saga, when the Nigerian Army invaded the house of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and burnt it down. My house, which was the third building to Fela's house, did not escape the injustice. It was on a Friday. I went to the mosque to pray when they came. On my way home, I saw that three building were in flame, my building, Lido Hotel owned by some Syrians and Fela's house.

I lost all my music instruments to the inferno and was not compensated by the military. Things went completely down for me that for 25 years, I lost all. To survive, I became a security guard at Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos . I was there for five years before I was attacked by thieves and nearly lost my eye. After that, I went to Holy Fellowship Church , at Ogunmokun Street , Baba Olosa area of Mushin Lagos. Though a Muslim, I was there composing songs for them. It did not mean anything to me because I had to survive.

But I left the place after five years when my comportment and attitudes did not agree with theirs. Obviously, as a Church, they wanted me to convert to Christianity but I remained a Muslim. Being in that church to me was business. Having done all they could to get me converted to Christianity and I refused, they made about five allegations against me:
that I did not close my eyes when they were praying. To this I said I did close my eyes so as to be the first to see Jesus in case he is coming to share goodies to Church members.

The second allegation was that I was a smoker. I said yes, but have I ever smoked in the church?

The third allegation was that I always leave the Church at about 2pm when the church was in session. I said yes, I went to pray in the mosque. I told them that as they call on Jesus in their church so also I call on Allah in the mosque.

They said the youngsters in the church, especially in the choir members always come to my house. I said yes, they needed to come because I was the choir master.

After a while, I had to leave the leave the church when the problem was getting too much for me.

Now as luck would have it, Steve Rhodes, who discovered us in 1954, was now in charge of the Glover Hall. The old Glover Hall in Lagos had just been renovated and he needed a bandstand there. He sent people after me and for a long time they could not see me. Some people said I was no where to be found, some said I must have died in mystery but Steve Rhodes persisted in looking for me.

Now at Central Hotel in Ebute Meta, an area in Lagos , there was a young friend and a trumpeter, Victor Coker who was asked about me. He said he saw me this morning and he brought them to my house. I was away at the Mosque praying when they got to my house. On meeting my wife, she directed them to the mosque, which, by the way, was built by her father.

On seeing me, the guy ran back. He obviously believed the rumour that I was dead. After some pleasantries, he disclosed to me that Uncle Steve Rhodes was searching for me and I should meet him (Coker) at his Surulere home early the following day.

I got there at about 7am, with only fifty Naira on me. He bought food and we ate. I was more concerned with how I would manage this fifty naira that day. But Coker did not allow me to pay the fare from Surulere to CMS where Glover Hall is situated.

As Steve Rhodes sets his eyes on me, he broke down. He was embarrassed by my condition. Later he said what they wanted to do would have started over two weeks ago but he wanted me in particular, that was why he did not proceed. He said Dollar, you will play here on Saturday. He said would I manage sixty thousand Naira? Sixty thousand? When last did I see such much huge amount? It was like a pipe dream.

He gave me half of the money and said I should commence rehearsals. God brought me in contact with some young band boy who are still with me today. On the d day, we made lots of money, a big crowd came. Steve was very happy because he never knew I could still perform. He subsequently gave me another show at Ikoyi Club and paid me alone over a hundred thousand. In fact, when my time elapsed, the white men there requested that I should continue. I was so glad. The manager of the club called me again and said I would still play the following Wednesday. And when I did, he gave me another huge sum. Need I tell you that that was how my life began to change?

Steve has not abandoned me since then. He still gives me shows. When Elders Forum was to start at Iwaya area of Lagos , we started together till it moved to Stadium Hotel. He is a nice man to me personally. He discovered me the first time, he discovered me the second time. At the time I thought it was finished for me, at a time I thought hope was lost and I should be waiting for death, Steve Rhodes remembered me. It was not him, it was God using him. I thank God. I thank Steve for allowing himself to be used by God. What I could not achieve for over 70 years, I began to do them when I was over 70.

My story is that don't write anybody off. It is never too late for God. Who would believe that I would still travel abroad? Places I could not visit when I was young are now places I visit in my old age, Alihamdulilahi. I give God the praises.