President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed veteran musician and evangelist, Chief Ebenezer Fabiyi, well known as Ebenezer Obey, for using his music to champion government programmes in the country.
Buhari said Chief Ebenezer Obey used his music to champion government programmes as he did in 1972 when Nigeria changed to Right Hand drive with his music (Keep Right).
The President also hailed the veteran musician’s contribution when the country changed currency from the Sterling to Naira and Kobo when he sang (Naira and Kobo), and ‘Operation Feed the Nation’, an agricultural programme government introduced in 1977.
Buhari made the commendation via a congratulatory message issued on Saturday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, to felicitate Chief Ebenezer Obey on the occasion of his 80th birthday, which comes up on April 3, 2022.
Adesina quoted the President to have paid tribute to the musician, who used his art and skills to fly Nigeria’s flag round the world, bringing joy and merriment to people with his sonorous voice, and didactic songs, for over six decades.
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Buhari said that though the legendary musician is from Abeokuta, Ogun State, Obey’s music has been a blessing not only to the entire South-West but he has garnered tremendous recognition and adulation nationally and internationally.
He noted that Chief Obey has sang on virtually every area of human endeavour and activity with countless gold discs and many platinum discs to his credit, leading to his honour with the prestigious award of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2001.
The President further lauded the fact that on July 7, 2014, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State conferred on Chief Obey the status of Professor of Music as a visiting lecturer in the Department of English and Performing Arts of the university.
He, however, urged the younger generation to borrow a leaf from the musician, who was formally ordained into the ministry on his 50th birthday on April 3, 1992.
President Buhari wished Chief Ebenezer Obey longer life, good health, and further service to God and humanity.
Chief Obey is the General Overseer of Decross Gospel Mission, Lagos and the President of Ebenezer Obey Evangelistic Ministries.
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