LAGOS, June 12 (Xinhua) -- Famous Nigerian veteran musician Fatai Olayiwola Olagunju, popularly known as Fatai Rolling Dollar, died at 86, the country's government said on Wednesday.
Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, Edem Duke, announded the obit in a statement which also urged youth to emulate the excellence and perseverance demonstrated by the deceased veteran musician.
The death of Rolling Dollar has severed an important link between the old and new generations of musicians in the country, Duke said, adding that Fatai Rolling Dollar was a symbol of authentic creative talent.
The musician died Wednesday morning at Marritol Hospital in Surulere area of southwest Nigeria's Lagos State, after he came back home from a musical tour in the United States because of indisposition.
He was admitted initially at Ahmadiya Hospital in Alagbado area of Lagos before being transferred to Marritol about two weeks ago.
The musician, born on July 22, 1926, started his musical career in 1953 and had trained other great musicians like Evangelist Ebenezer Obey and deceased Orlando Owoh, among others.
He was known for his dexterity on the guitar and his hit song "Won Kere Si Number Wa."
Rolling Dollar, who had three wives and 16 children, died as the oldest living music artiste in Nigeria.