In a video obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday afternoon, Kollington thanked God, the management of the hospital and others for his improved health condition.
A veteran Nigerian Fuji musician, Alhaji Kolawole Rasaq Ilori, popularly known as Kollington Ayinla, appears to be recuperating well at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, where he has been receiving treatment for about a week.

In a video obtained by SaharaReporters on Tuesday afternoon, Kollington thanked God, the management of the hospital and others for his improved health condition.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Kollington Ayinla’s had been lying ill and hospitalised for days.

Reports from those close to the 74-year-old musician said that Ayinla had been ill for over a week.

He was admitted to LASUTH in Ikeja, the source said.

SaharaReporters learnt that his condition at a point became critical and he had to be placed on oxygen.

However, in the video, the septuagenarian revealed that his health condition was so bad that he would have died but his life was saved by the health workers and medical practitioners in the hospital.

The veteran musician, therefore, used the video the video to prove to the general public that he was alive, adding that his health had improved greatly.

“All Lagosians, we thank you. We are using this medium to appreciate you. A lot of things that people don’t know about LASUTH, we want to show you, under the leadership of Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo.

“It is only God that can save a person but they really tried for me because I could have died but due to their efforts, I was saved,” the 75-year-old singer said.

He continued: “Alhaji General Kollignton Ayinla, the leader of all Fuji musicians, I am the one speaking. A lot of people thought I was dead. But LASUTH, they are a king (in terms of treatment). I hail their efforts; you really tried. I thank our Governor, Olusola Babajide Sanwo-Olu. I appreciate your support. I also thank the Chief of Staff.”

“I thank Nigerians; those who could visit me and those who could not come. It wasn’t a slight ailment. I won’t use the ailment to repay you because many people thought I was dead but we thank God. LASUTH saved my life and I thank God,” he added.

Kollington, born in August 1949, hails from Ilota, a town on the outskirts of Ilorin, Kwara State.

He is also known by the aliases; Baba Alatika, Kebe-n-Kwara, and Baba Alagbado.

Kollington and his late friend and competitor, Ayinde Barrister dominated Fuji music scene for decades, helping to popularise the genre.

Between the mid-1970s and late ’80s, Kollington ranked with Barrister as the leading star of Nigerian Fuji music.

As the popularity of Fuji grew, and the market became big and the enmity between Kollington and Barrister waned.

In 1983, both men stood side by side as mourners at the funeral of Apala star, Haruna Ishola.

Barrister died at St. Mary’s Hospital in London on December 16, 2010.