Congratulatory messages and tributes have continued to pour in for the Nigerian legendary Juju musician, Ebenezer Obey, popularly known as, “Chief Commander” as he clocks 80 today.
The Octogenarian has revealed to Nigerians and his lovers all across the world that what gives him joy at this phase of life is that he has handed over his life to God right from time.
The Celebrant while thanking God for his life so far in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday, in Lagos, said he would love to touch the lives of the Nigerian youth, considering current happenings in society.
He noted that he would continue to intensify efforts in empowering more youth.
Obey stated that he would remain grateful to God, having ordered his steps in the right direction in the last 80 years of his life.
Obey said: “I thank God for making me clock 80 years, it is by God’s grace. He has really seen me through. I commit my future to him.
“What I have done in life that gives me joy is that I have handed over my life to God right from time, I rededicate the remaining part of my life, my future to God, He should see me through.
Speaking on his musical career, the Abeokuta-born musician said he had no more rivers to cross, reiterating his dream to impact more lives, and “to solidify all I have built in the past and contribute more to the growth of the entertainment industry”.
“I want to impact the youths, the youths are the leaders of tomorrow and if we see what is happening to them recently, we will observe that they need help.
“So I want to continue touching on their lives through my musical empowerment programme which has been on for long.”
Obey noted that so many youths had benefitted from his empowerment programme through scholarships and subsidised fees for musical training at his music school located in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Meanwhile, the Evergreen Musical Company has described the legendary juju musician, as a consistent juju musician whose music cuts across all generations, ethnic groups and social strata.
Its Managing Director, Bimbo Esho, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, congratulated Obey on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
She said that the music giant even at 80, was still adorned in nobility, resilience, strength and wisdom.
Esho said Obey had come up with songs that had been able to stand the test of time, with the highest song recording, 660.
“Ebenezar Obey is recognised today as a very consistent Juju musician and the first Nigerian musician with the highest songs (660) recording.
“Like a colossus, he stands adorned in nobility, resilience, strength and wisdom.
“To some, he is seen as a prophet and philosopher with songs that have stood the test of time, others see him as a moralist whose music and the teachings therein have kept the moral compass of his people from sinking into oblivion.
“His humility and simplicity continue to adhere him to the hearts of many of his fans and well-wishers, we wish him a happy birthday and many years of sound mind,” she said.
“Chief Commander” Ebenezer Obey was born April 3, 1942, to an Egba-Yoruba ethnic background family, he is of the Owu subgroup of the Egba in Ogun.
He began his musical career in the mid-1950s after moving to Lagos and after tutelage under Fatai Rolling-Dollar’s band, he formed a band called “The International Brothers” in 1964, playing highlife-juju fusion.
The band later metamorphosed into, “Inter-Reformers”, in the early 1970s, with a long list of Juju album hits on the West African Decca Musical Label.
Some of his songs are, “Around the World”; “Asiko Mi Ti To”; “Awa Ewe Iwoyi”; “Ema Se Lo”; Edumare Adupe”; Ile Ti Ya” and more.
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