November 05, (THEWILL) – Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya Mobolaji, has revealed that despite being immersed in a family of musicians, he attributes his avoidance of a musical career to providence.
As one of the offspring of the late highlife maestro, Chief Victor Olaiya, a dominant figure in Nigerian music from the 1960s to 2018, the commissioner shared this revelation with journalists in Ilorin.
During a gathering at the police officers’ mess in Ilorin, he mentioned that he might have pursued a musical profession if his interests hadn’t diversified during his formative years.
“I am from a family of musicians. I only managed to escape from being one. I was part of the school band in primary and secondary schools, but as I was growing up, I developed other interests. Today, I am surrounded by musicians.
“After baba’s (my father’s) death, my siblings formed a band. You know that we are many, so, my siblings formed a band comprising instrumentalists and others just like a football team.
“My wife has also produced some gospel songs; that is why I said I managed to escape from being a musician.”
Reflecting on his late father, born on December 31, 1930, and passing away on February 12, 2020, the commissioner added, “I had my childhood in Surulere.
“My father lived on Dr Victor Olaiya Avenue, off Aiyetoro, Aguda, but he was always at the Stadium Hotel. You know you cannot own a hotel and not have your chalet or office.
“So, he was always there; he also visited the musical instruments shop at the family house at Tinubu Square daily. He visited Lagos Island every day.
“You know that in those days, people were of a considered opinion that only the stubborn ones would join the police and so, there was the usual question: why the police?”
Revealing an alternate path, he shared that had he not joined the police force, he might have pursued a career as a lecturer in a tertiary institution. Olaiya recounted a notable incident when he drove from Damaturu, Yobe State, to Abuja at night for a promotion interview a few years ago.
He said, “I can drive for 48 hours nonstop. I love driving. But if I had not joined the Force, I would have been a lecturer in a tertiary institution.”
