President Muhammadu Buhari and former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, have congratulated multi-talented entertainer and gospel music maestro, Evangelist Ebenezer Fabiyi Obey, on his 75th birthday, April 3, 2017.
In a letter to the evangelist, President Buhari said: “Please accept my congratulations, and that of teeming Nigerians, on this occasion of your 75th birthday anniversary.
“Chief Commander Ebenezer Fabiyi Obey is a household name in Nigeria, and even beyond. You have through music flown the flag of our country proudly in many nations of the world, and you are a veritable ambassador of our motherland.”
The President said Nigerians rejoice with the septuagenarian at the auspicious moment, while praying that God will grant him more years of service to the nation, and humanity.
On his part, Tinubu described Obey as an astute entertainer whose songs will always remain evergreen.
In a statement on Monday by his Media Office, wherein the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader felicitated with the music star, Asiwaju Tinubu said: “I congratulate Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey on his 75th birthday. It’s a great accomplishment to so be blessed by God as he has been.
“Ebenezer Obey, whose professional career began in the mid-1950s when he moved to Lagos, has contributed a lot to the development of music in Nigeria, nay Africa.
“As a musician with a deep Christian spiritual bend, Obey’s music is unique in the way and manner he turns Yoruba axioms, bearing rich religious messages into dance-hall compositions. His popular tracks like ‘What God Has Joined Together,’ ‘Aimasiko,’ ‘Eyin Pegan Pegan’, Anjade Loni Eledumare’, ‘Jesu Olore’, ‘Africa is My Home’, ‘Ambe o,’‘I am a Winner,’ etc remain masterpieces any day.
“When in early-1990s, he retired into Nigerian gospel music ministry, I knew it could only be short-lived, because when you have a passion for a profession like Chief Obey’s zeal for music, whether secular or gospel, there is no room for retirement.
“I saw him in action in December last year at an event held at the Lagos State House, Alausa, Ikeja, tagged ‘Evening with Governor Ambode’ to end 2016 and usher in 2017, he was the cynosure of all eyes. He remained his true self, the true entertainer that we have always known, churning out one rich number after another.
“At 75, I wish and pray that God grants Obey more years and the strength and energy to continue with his music. So to Chief Commander, I say let the music play on.”
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