OGUN GOVERNMENT PLEDGES MUSEUM IN HONOUR OF MUSIC LEGEND, EBENEZER OBEY
Ogun State Government on Monday pledged to build a museum in honour of juju music legend, Ebenezer Obey.
Governor Ibikunle Amosun,made the promise while speaking at the 75th birthday ceremony of the musician held in Abeokuta,the State Capital, adding that the museum would housed all his works for references
He described Obey as a great ambassador and expressed the hope that Ogun State would accord him a rightful place in the annals of the state.
“All I see in him at 75 is the awesomeness of God in your life. Your music teaches totality of the essence of life and living. You have used music to do a lot even internationally’,Amosun said.
“You are a great ambassador of Nigeria and have shaped our lives positively. I’m a fan of your music and listen to it every morning because some of them reminds me to pray every morning’,he added.
“You are a great ambassador of Nigeria and have shaped our lives positively. I’m a fan of your music and listen to it every morning because some of them reminds me to pray every morning’,he added.
“We are looking forward to a time where we will build a museum for your music, where people will go to study you and your work. You have put Ogun State on world map because when people enquire about your root, they will be told you are from Ogun State.”
In his own speech,Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said the music of juju legend has propelled him(Obasanjo) to do well in life and performances.
Obasanjo emphasised and affirmed further that the songs of the celebrant always intoxicates him and has remain evergreen.
Hear him ‘I am always intoxicated with Ebenezer Obey music. When I want to do serious business, I play his music, I am always inspire,encourage. His music teaches morals’.
The former president, while speaking about the fame of the musician, noted that,there was nobody born not to be great,irrespective of poor background.
Obasanjo recalled that Ebenezer Obey had in one of his musics, sang about the Operation Feed the Nation(OFN), a policy he (Obasanjo) initiated in the 70s as a military Head of States to make Nigeria self – reliant in food production and consumption.
The General Overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God,RCCG,Pastor Enoch Adeboye, in his speech revealed that he elected to bend the rules today and abandoned schedules at the RCCG camp to attend Obey’s event because of his love and admiration for him.
The clergyman added that, he and Obey arrived the world at the same period and walked at different directions before both also found their way to Christ. He prayed that God would continue to use Ebenezer Obey, even at old age, to win more souls for Christ’s Kingdom.
“I have known Obey a very long time since the days of miliki. I enjoyed everything about his music and we came to the world at the same period.And at the time I was giving my life to Christ, he too was moving to same side. I have to bend the rules to leave the Camp to attend this birthday because of my love and admiration for Obey’,Adeboye said.
“It is my prayer that at your old age, God will continue to use you to win souls for the Kingdom,” Adeboye said.
In his sermon, the Preacher, Bishop Francis Wale Oke, anchored his message on Psalm 71vs 1-3 and urged man to keep seeking the face of God for his favour, protection and mercy when old age beckons.
The celebrant in response at the well attended and colourrfull ceremony expressed joy for sparing his life,and also appreciated his guests across the globe.
Other dignitaries who attended the church service include Segun Osoba, Gbenga Daniiel(Ogun State former governors), Folake Marcus-Bello(former Nigeria Ambassador),Sarafa Ishola(former minister), Alaba Lawson(Iyalode Yorubaland) Yetunde Onanuga,(Ogun State Deputy Governor) Lagos State Governor, Bolanle Ambode(wife of Lagos State Governor),and Kesssington Addebutu.
Also in attendance are the immediate past President, Christian Association of Nigeria(CAN), Bishop Ayo Oritsejafor, Justice Olatotunbo Olopade(Chief judge of Ogun State),Oloye Lekan Alabi(Agba-Akin Olubadan) Ambassador Tokunbo Awolowo – Dosunmu, Mrs Bola Obasanjo(wife of former president), Chairman Ogun State Council of Traditional Rulers and Olu of Ilaro, Kehinde Olugbenle, the Alake of Egbaland,Adedotun Gbadebo, the Osile of Oke – Ona Egba, Adedapo Tejuoso Olubara of Ibara, Timothy Omolade, Oba Akinale, Femi Ogunleye,
Some veteran musicians were not left out, and they include: Sunny Ade, Salawe Abeni, Tony Okoroji, Wasiu Ayinde (KWAM1), Bola Are, Tope Alabi and Yinka Ayefele.
