Ebenezer Obey

Today, Sunday, 3 April 2022, Chief Ebenezer Fabiyi, Ebenezer Obey for style, clocks 80. He has every reason to mark this in grand style. Reason: He was among the few Nigerians like Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Alex Akinyele, who read their obituaries in the media. Obey’s own “death news” went viral on social media last year. However, he is well and kicking.

Now, he is a juju music legend. However, his road to stardom was tough. But what kept him going was confidence in his God-given creativity.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a tribute said, “Obey has used his music to champion government programmes such as: Change of lane in 1972 (Keep Right); Change to the Naira (Naira/Kobo); Operation Feed the Nation, and many others,” he added.

Buhari said further that the musician/preacher had sang on virtually every area of human endeavour and activity “with countless gold dics and many platinum dics to his credit, leading to being honoured with the prestigious award of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2001.”

Also, the Executive Director of the Obefemi Awolowo Foundation and the chairman of the African Newspapers Nigeria (ANN) Plc, Ambassador (Dr) Olatokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, felicitated the music icon.

In her birthday tribute published in Nigerian Tribune, Awolowo Dosumu, described Obey as a man of God and a complete gentleman who as dignified himself with evergreen lyrical music.

Speaking on her relationship with the music icon, Awolowo Dosumu said, “As I imagine is the case for many, I first came to know him in the late 60s through his unique brand of music – melodious, yet filled with lyrical wisdom. As we emerged from the era of ‘high-life’, he very quickly became the musician of choice for many in my generation.

“Even Papa Obafemi Awolowo, SAN, GCFR, who was not known for frivolity, was a loyal fan of Ebenezer Obey’s music. Papa invited him to play at major family celebrations, including my wedding and the ceremony he and Mama hosted after the birth of my daughter, at whose wedding he played many years later!

“After Papa’s demise, Mama kept up this family tradition. He played at her 99th birthday and again, exactly one year later, at her funeral which was held on the day she would have celebrated her centenary. Since Mama left us, we have also continued the tradition. Indeed, no celebration is considered complete within the Awolowo family without the music of Chief Ebenezer Obey!

“No matter how short the notice is, he always graciously accepts our invitation. I discovered that he actually keeps track of our milestone events and often lets us know that he has saved the date (my 70th birthday being the most recent example)!,” she added.

“On behalf of myself and the entire Awolowo family, I rejoice with our dear Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi as he celebrates his 80th birthday. It is my prayer that we, and indeed the entire world, will continue to enjoy his music, LIVE, for very many years to come. Have a wonderful celebration! You deserve it!,” she said.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was one of the first to congratulate him. Governor Sanwo-Olu in a congratulatory message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Gboyega Akosile on Saturday, described “Chief Commander” Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi as an apostle of God, who is using music as a means of evangelism.

He said: “On behalf of my wife, Ibijoke, and the good people of Lagos State, I join your family, friends, associates and fans to congratulate you (Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi) on your 80th birthday celebration.

“You are an elder statesman, a music maestro of our generation, an evangelist and a man that has used music as a tool to spread joy across sections of our country, bringing all of us together for common good.

“You are an apostle of God and a man that is also using music as a means of evangelism. We want to thank God for the grace upon your life and for using music as a tool for a good cause in our society.

“I wish you all the very best on your 80th birthday. We thank God for your life. We thank God for your health. We thank God for who you are because, for over five decades, you have used your music and intellect very well to galvanise humanity and mankind.”

Below is a story that we published on him in the past. It is about how the determination to succeed fired his resolve to overcome all obstacles.

Happy reading:

By Ademola Adegbamigbe

The secretary in that office said with emphatic knocks on the table: “You cannot see my boss.” However, the young man would not take no for an answer. “No, I must see him, I am a star, I have come to record my music for your company,” the young man said, cleaning his face, his visage an admixture of plea and defiance. He had earlier used that expression as key with the gateman who did not want him to enter the premises. He was not ready to go back without achieving his aim that day. The year was 1957.

The young man, Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, with a tooth gap, sweating like a highly refrigerated bottle of wine, had walked under the blistering equatorial sunlight that afternoon from Mushin to Yaba. From there, he proceeded to Oyingbo, to Iddo and Carter Bridge (neither Eko Bridge nor the third mainland bridge had been constructed at that time). With more rivulets of sweat running down his face, but with determination pushing him, he reached the popular Idumota and made a beeline for the Abibu-Oki Street office of DECCA West Africa Limited on Lagos Island.

“I told you that you can’t see my oga, and you are saying you are a star. Star ko, moon ni!” The lady said sarcastically. At a point, she ignored him and continued with her typing, sipping tea and chewing snacks. Obey stuck to his gun: “I must see him!” His voice rose so much that the white boss from whom the secretary was shielding the artiste heard from his inner sanctum.

“What the hell is going on there? what is the noise about?” The Managing Director, Mr C. K Cress phoned the secretary through Intercom and asked. The secretary, eyeing Obey with contempt and suppressed hisses, replied to her boss, “It’s this man who said he is a star and will like to see you and I said he cannot.”

The MD asked, “A star?”

“Yes.” the woman affirmed.

“Let the star come in”.

The white man removed his pair of glasses and eyed the young man quizzically, waving him into a chair, asking, “Young man, you said you are a star. Let’s hear your story.”

“Sir, I am a star, a future star. I have come to record for you. Just record me and don’t pay me until when you have recorded me and you see the sales of the released record. My record is going to sell.”

The white man, as narrated on Michael Phils’ blog, ordered the artiste manager, Mr Ogunsanya, to give Ebenezer Obey a trial. “DECCA West Africa Limited recorded the songs of Ebenezer Obey, instead of eight tracks he prepared for, five of the songs were recorded. Even though Ebenezer Obey moved round to canvass the distributors to buy his record, 500 copies of the Album were not sold for the selector’s mark, the basic requirements for the qualification.

It required just 19 to meet up to 500 copies. The future star failed, the staff were making jest of Ebenezer Obey. ‘Sir, your future star did not make it, the artiste manager told the white man. The Whiteman, encouraged by Obey’s confidence to succeed, ordered 25 copies to rescue the future star from disqualification. Thus, Obey’s first Album “ Ewo ohun oju ri” sold 506 copies in 1964.”

Obey-Fabiyi, Nigeria’s juju music maestro, has gone through the shadow of the valley of death before he reached stardom. Or how else could one describe a man who, to submit his first record to his potential producer, trekked a dizzying distance from Mushin to Lagos to do that?

Before that encounter, Obey whose early education was at Methodist Primary and Modern School where he was a bandleader had formed Ifelodun Mambo Orchestra. He relocated to Lagos from Idogo, Ogun State with two men, Akinyomi Savage and Bamgbose Jumoda, also known as Abengo Mayana. After tutelage under Fatai Rolling-Dollar’s band, Obey, according to Arts historians, formed a band called The International Brothers in 1964, playing highlife–jùjú 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.

Obey began experimenting with Yoruba percussion style and expanding on the band by adding more drum kits, guitars and talking drums. Obey’s musical strengths, as Wikipedia aggregation of many writers records, lie in weaving intricate Yoruba axioms into dance-floor compositions. As is characteristic of Nigerian Yoruba social-circle music, the Inter-Reformers band excels in praise-singing for rich Nigerian socialites and business tycoons. Obey, however, is also renowned for Christian spiritual themes in his music and has since the early-1990s retired into Nigerian gospel music ministry. It will be worthy of note to also say that Chief Commander just as he is fondly called by his fans, has played alongside popular gospel music veteran, Pastor Kunle Ajayi during his 30 years on stage concert in Lagos.

An Egba from Ogun State, Obey was born on 3 April 1942 as Ebenezer Remilekun Aremu Olasupo Obey-Fabiyi in Idogo. In the course of his music career, he picked up the nickname “Chief Commander.”

Obey married Juliana Olaide Olufade in 1963. His wife, known as Lady Evangelist Juliana Obey-Fabiyi, died at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital on 23 August 2011, aged 67. They have several children and grandchildren.

To celebrate Obey during one of his birthdays in the past, pp Mr Femi Esho, the big boss of Evergreen Records, Surulere, presented him with his complete works.

Femi Esho presents Ebenezer Obey with his entire music collection. Photo credit: Femi Esho

His Music
1964 Ewa Wo Ohun Ojuri
1965 Aiye Gba Jeje b/w Ifelodun*Gari Ti Won b/w Orin Adura
1966 Awolowo Babawa Tide b/w Oluwa Niagbara Emi Mi*Palongo b/w Teti Ko Gboro Kan*Oro Miko Lenso b/w Orin Ajinde*Late Justice Olumide Omololu b/w Iyawo Ti Mo Ko Fe
1967 Olomi Gbo Temi b/w Maria Odeku*To Keep Nigeria One b/w Awa Sope Odun Titun*Edumare Lon Pese b/w Omo Olomo*Ope Fun Oluwa b/w Paulina
1968 Ore Mi E Si Pelepele b/w Ajo Ni Mo wa*Ijebu L’ade b/w Lati Owolabi*Col. Ben Adekunle b/w Ori Bayemi*Lolade Wilkey b/w Adetunji Adeyi*Gbe Bemi Oluwa b/w Olowo Laiye Mo
1969 Ode To Nso Eledumare b/w Pegan Pegan*Sanu-olu b/w K’Oluwa So Pade Wa*London Lawa Yi b/w Oro Seniwo*Isokan Nigeria / etc.*Eni Mayo Ayo / etc1969/1970*Emi Yio Gbe Oluwa Ga b/w Ise Teni
1970 Lawyer Adewuyi*Ala Taja Bala b/w Ohun Toluwa Ose*Ogun Pari / etc.*In London*On The Town
1971 Ija Pari (Part One) b/w Ija Pari (Part Two)*Esa Ma Miliki b/w Awon Alhaji*Face to Face b/w Late Rex Lawson*Oro Nipa Lace b/w Yaro Malaika
1972 Late Oba Gbadelo II*Board Members*Vol.4: Aiye Wa A Toro*In London Vol. 3*Odun Keresimesi
1973 And His Miliki Sound*The Horse, The Man and His Son*E Je Ka Gbo T’Oluwa*Adeventure of Mr Music*Mo Tun Gbe De
1974 Inter-Reformers A Tunde*Eko Ila*Around the World*Iwalka Ko Pe
1975 Mukulu Muke Maa Jo*Ota Mi Dehin Lehin Mi*Alo Mi Alo*Edumare Dari Jiwon
1976 Late Great Murtara Murtala Ramat Muhammed*Operation Feed The Nation
1977 Eda To Mose Okunkun*Immortal Sings for Travellers*Adam and Eve
1978 Igba Owuro Lawa*Oluwa Ni Olusa Aguntan Mi*No Place Be Like My Country Nigeria
1979 In the Sixties Vol.1*In the Sixties Vol.2*Igba Laiye*Sky*E Wa Kiye Soro Mi*Omo Mi Gbo Temi
1980 Leave Everything to God*Current Affairs*Sound of the Moment*Eyi Yato
1981 Joy of Salvation*What God Has Joined Together
1982 Celebration*Austerity*Precious Gift
1983 Ambition*Singing for the People*Greatest Hits Vol. 3*Je Ka Jo*Thank You (Ose)
1984 The Only Condition to Save Nigeria*Solution*Peace1985*Security*My Vision
1986 Gbeja Mi Eledumare*Satisfaction*Providence
1987 Aimasiko*Immortality*Victory*Patience
1988 Determination*Vanity
1989 Formula 0-1-0*Get Yer Jujus Out
1990 Count Your Blessing*On the Rock
1991 Womanhood
1993 Good News
1994 I Am a Winner*Walking Over
1995 The Legend
1999 Millennial Blessings
2000 Promised Land
2002 Ase Oluwa

-This piece was adapted from the 2019 version published on this platform.