Encomiums on Wednesday poured in for veteran Juju musician, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, as he celebrated his 82nd birthday.
Leading a host of dignitaries at a birthday thanksgiving service held in honour of the celebrant in Lagos was the Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke.Extolling the virtues of the octogenarian, Adeleke described him as a philosophical singer.
He said, “We thank God for the life of Baba Ebenezer Obey because it is not easy after all these years to reach the age of 82 years. That is a big one and that is why we should continue to thank God. All the songs he has been singing all these years show that he is a philosophical singer.
“There is no song that he sings that does not have a meaning. You have been taking care of us since we were young and we are always happy whenever we listen to your songs. That is why I am here to surprise you and celebrate with you. I also use you as a point of contact that Nigeria will go from strength to strength.”
On his part, the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, said the celebrant’s life had been an enviable narrative of great accomplishments subject to great admiration and wide applause in the past years.
Abiodun, who made this known in a message conveyed to the celebrant, noted that the state was blessed to have him as an illustrious son.
“Beyond being a Juju maestro, who has used his brand of music to orientate the public on civic responsibility and correcting society’s ills, your contributions in propagating the gospel have been a blessing to the Christendom and the larger society. Indeed, the true essence of your being is in the numerous lives that you have profoundly impacted and saved through your evangelical mission. In you, the younger generation finds a source of inspiration and mentorship. We are indeed grateful to God for the rare gift you represent in our clime,” he added.
While citing Psalm 92 of the holy scriptures, the celebrant expressed gratitude to God, adding that He had been so good to him.
He said, “I am using this scripture to express myself. All my life, God has been so good to me. I was born into the church and I used to crawl to where the choir played their instrument. As I crawl to the choir, my mum would carry me and I would always crawl back there. And the pastor took me from my mother and said definitely, I was going to be a renowned musician. That prophecy came to pass in my life. I became a professional musician at the age of 15, precisely in 1957, that was when I had my first album.
“I thank God, who has seen me through several surgeries. In 1980, I had surgery in London and prostrate enlargement was the last surgery I had. I am preparing to release a record to educate parents and the people on prostate enlargement.”
The other dignitaries present at the event included the Osile of Oke Ona Egbaland, Oba Adedapo Tejuosho, Dele Momodu, Bola Obasanjo, Esther Ajayi, and a host of others.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
