JUJU MAESTRO, EBENEZER OBEY EMERGES MOST SOUGHT-AFTER ARTISTE!

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– As OOU Makes Him Music Professor

Call Juju Commander, Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, a modern-day wonder, you won’t be wrong. This is because this veteran music star who has been playing music for the past 50 years has today become the most sought-after artiste in the music industry. So busy has Ebenezer Obey become that he now plays at functions almost on a daily basis, and he still finds time to combine music with his church evangelism. What is all the more stunning is how Obey went off the music scene in the late 80’s and returned about 4 years ago to pick up his leadership position yet again.

The big news right now is that Baba Obey who is in his 70′s has just been appointed a Visiting Artiste/Emeritus Professor in the Dept of English and Performing Arts of the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye. He is to be publicly presented to the University on 7th July, 2014. At 73, Ebenezer Obey, who is hale and hearty, still juggles a lot, a lot of roles as a music guru, successful artiste, band leader, church leader, father, grand father and businessman. Despite all these, he still rehearses once a week and still composes new music. His greatest strength in music, he tells all those who care to listen, is in his composition of music. He is a gifted musician who is in 50- year career has composed a lot of hit song that have remained evergreen tunes.

Right now, Ebenezer Obey has new sets of fans aside his generation who knew him before his long break from music. This 2nd generation consists of those who only got to see him after his return. And the third is the absolutely new generation who didn’t grow up to meet Ebenezer Obey. There is also another generation of Nigerians who live abroad who have never seen Ebenezer Obey’s live performance. Because they are in the diapora, as at the time they grew up, Ebenezer Obey had a break from music. And now, they are eager to see him perform live in far-flung countries like Dubai, Canada, USA, and England. Of course, in Nigeria, across the South West, Ebenezer Obey has been the reigning artiste amongst the rich, the mighty and the famous.

Let’s reel out a few examples of his high-profile performances in recent times and you will see what we mean. When boardroom guru, Pa Chris Onabanjo turned 90, it was Ebenezer Obey who played. When Founder/Chairman of First City Group, Otunba Subomi Balogun turned 80 and had his grand birthday party at the Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos, Ebenezer Obey on the bandstand. It was the same thing when Prince Bola Ajibola turned 80, he had Ebenezer Obey serenade him. Then came Mama Beatrice Okebola Olaopa’s 90th Birthday in Awe it was Ebenezer Obey who entertained guests.

Also when Ibadan businessman, governorship aspirant and owner of Jogor, Femi Babalola celebrated his 50th birthday, he called on Ebenezer Obey to entertain guests in Ibadan. He also got the Juju music maestro to play at his father’s burial ceremony.
At the recent installation of the new Seriki Egbaland, High Chief Tosin Fadare it was Ebenezer Obey who performed. So also at the recent installation of Chief Jubril Martins-Kuye as Asiwaju of Ago-Iwoye. When Oba Ebumawe of Ago Iwoye recently had his 10th Coronation Anniversary it was also Ebenezer Obey who thrilled the guests.

Fast forward to the 80th birthday of Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, Ebenezer Obey. He also performed at Lady Chief (Mrs) Comfort Fatoyinbo’s 80th birthday in Ilorin. Ebenezer Obey also played for Osile Oke-ona Egba,Oba (Dr.) Adewale Adedapo’s 25th Coronation Anniversary. Ebenezer Obey also performed at Dr. (Mrs.) Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu’s daughter’s wedding ceremony. It was also Ebenezer Obey who performed at Otunba Tom Olurotimi Daramola’s party in Ile-Oluji, and also at Hon. Justice Olateru-Olagbegi’s mother’s burial at Owo town in Ondo State.

Also at ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo’s last birthday it was Ebenezer Obey who played. Then at Island Club’s New Year Dance, Yoruba Tennis Club Xmas Dance, Ikoyi Club 75th Anniversary, Club Asso.’s recent party, Ebenezer Obey was the musician of the day at these grand events. Ebenezer Obey entertained at the new Iyaloja-General of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s daughter’s chieftaincy event in Ago Iwoye. It was also Ebenezer Obey who entertained guests recently when President of Abeokuta Country Club buried his father-in-law.

He also performed at Arch. Dada Marquis Yar’Adua’s 70th birthday in Lagos. And also at Gov. Segun Mimiko’s mother-in-law, Chief (Mrs.) Felicia Modupe Adeniyi’s burial in Ondo town. That’s not all. It was also Ebenezer Obey who played at Senator Gbenga Obadara’s mother’s burial. Ebenezer Obey recently completed a successful trip to Dubai for a big show and embarked on a month playing tour of the US. He has also been moving from one church to the other on invitation for music ministration. Despite his busy music schedules, he has balanced them well with his church activities, crusade programmes, especially the recent ones at Igbogila and Ayetoro.

What has helped Ebenezer Obey remain steadfast and consistent are his regular rehearsals with members of his band, unique vocalling style, compositional dexterity, humility, integrity at keeping terms of agreement, world-class range of modern line and ray musical equipment from Italy. There are some of the factors working for Baba Commander Ebenezer Obey. He also runs an equipment rental outfit. When the band is not in the studio, recording, the members rehearse at least once a week or more. “The idea is to keep the band boys busy and creatively engaged, ” explained a band member. Churches are not left out in the hot demand for Ebenezer Obey’s services and you begin to wonder how he copes with all these high-profile performances!