The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Victor Olaiya, has said though he was surrounded by musicians in his family, he only managed to avoid becoming a musician by providence.
The commissioner, who is the son of late highlife maestro, Chief Victor Olaiya, who dominated the Nigerian music scene in the 1960s, 1970s, and until his death in 2018, revealed this to journalists in Ilorin.
He stated at a gathering at the police officers’ mess in Ilorin that he would have been in the profession if he had not developed an interest in other things as a child.
“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.”
Speaking about his late father who was born on December 31, 1930, and died 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?”
While disclosing that he would have also been a lecturer in a tertiary institution if he had not joined the police, Olaiya, recalled how he drove from Damaturu, Yobe State, to Abuja at night to attend 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.”