HOW EBENEZER OBEY WAS ALLEGED OF MONEY RITUAL *THE LUKUDI SAGA OF HIS LIFE

Commander Ebenezer Olasupo Remilekun Aremu Fabiyi-Obey

The concluding part.....
Ebenezer grew up in Idogo and Idogo discovered him and his musical talents.

Ebenezer went to Methodist Primary School, Idogo and later finished at the Methodist secondary Modern school, Asero, Abeokuta, in 1958.

In the primary school, he was a band leader. He was a member of the choir in his church- Methodist Church, Idogo.

Obey and his friends, later formed the Idogo boys and girls' club and also Ifelodun Mambo Orchestra in 1957, that finally gave birth to Royal Mambo Orchestra. Abigail saw these musical talents in Ebenezer and dissuaded him from taking to music as a career, but that she would rather encourage him to become a lawyer or a doctor (Ise ti mama mi ba mi da moran ki n se) The mother told him that in their own family, people sing their praises and not vise versa –“Kiki ni won maa n ki wa Ni’le wa, awa ki i ki eniyan.” After much pleadings, Abigail gave Ebenezer her blessings, according to her- nobody knows tomorrow. (Mama lo so wi pe, ko s'enikeni, to mo ojo ola).

In school, Ebenezer, being a class monitor, was nick named “Obey...” i.e. Obey first, before complain, being his usual admonition, when punishing a rebellious student. The name-“Obey”, then stuck. With the added name- Ebenezer Obey, he relocated to Lagos.

In Lagos, he got a job as a clerk on a monthly wage of three pounds (£3) and lived in Bolade Oshodi Lagos. He was able to buy a guitar. He was at this time, already calling himself a star and a future star.

It was in Bolade Oshodi, that he saw two itinerant singers-Akinyomi Savage and Bamgbose Jumoda, whom he later helped to secure an amplifier, for a show and also became a part time member of their band, with a rewarding patronage of two pounds (£2) per show and five shillings every day for feeding. It was through J.O Araba, an Agidigbo musician, that he met Fatai Rolling dollars, a minstrel and roving guitarist. This relationship led to the formation of the Fatai Rolling Dollars band, which obey helped to put together. In 1964, he formed his own band- Ebenezer Obey and his International Brothers Band and started with Samson Ogunlade, Vasco Da-gama, Salawu, Oke Aminu and others.

Obey had difficulties in getting a musical promoter/label. After much hassles, he signed on with DECCA WEST Africa limited in Abibu Oki, Lagos.

Obey and his Son

He married Juliana Olaide Olufade, his heartthrob, in 1963. Juliana, died on the 23rd of August, 2011 and left with several children and grandchildren. However, because of Obey's insistence that he was a star and a future star, the MD of Decca West Africa- Mr. C.K Kres, showed interest in Obey’s music and career.

The first album “E wa wo ohun oju ri” sold 506 copies, in 1964, after the MD of DECCA, had ordered for 25 copies to enable Ebenezer Obey secure future patronage, by hitting the target of 500 copies. He actually sold 481 copies.

His second album- “Olomi Gbo Temi” (my dearest wife, listen to me) “baby mi, jowo je ka Jo maa gbadun, Aya to mo yayi lo n sefe Oko re, telegan ba n tan e, ko ma ma se gba,” was a slight improvement. His third album-“Palongo,” which he also released in 1965, gave him breakthrough and commercial success.

As a result of this commercial success, Obey began experimenting with Yoruba percussion style, expanding the band by adding more drum kits, guitars and talking drums.

Obey's musical dexterity, lies in weaving intricate Yoruba axioms, idioms and proverbs, into danceable music. Obey started with small Albums (SLPs) and later brought in big Albums (BLPs) that had sold 500,000 copies and received a gold award, and also 1 million copies that also received platinum award.

After the London trip, and in the early 70s, Obey changed the name of the band from International brothers, to inter Reformers band and his fans named him-“Chief commander Ebenezer Obey.”

In 1966, when chief Awolowo came back from prison, after the military take over, he had an album- “Awolowo, Baba wa ti de,”to welcome Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In 1987, when Chief Obafemi Awolowo died, he released an album, to mark his exit- Aaa ao ma se, ile n j’eniyan” –what a great loss!

with King Sunny Ade

In 1968, Obey had a hit album- “Ore mi e se Pele Pele.” He also released- “Gbebe mi Oluwa, olowo laye mo,”- Answer my prayers oh Lord and followed with further commercially successful Albums, and in 1970- “Ala t’aja ba la,”1971- “Ija Pari” to mark the end of the Civil War, 1972- “Aiye Wa a Toro”, 1973- The Horse, the man and his son, 1974- “Eko Ila”, 1975- “Mukulu Muke maa jo” Etc, further entrenched his foothold in the music industry.

Obey had said of his music- “my lyrics are beneficial to society, either in form of prayers or good wishes,” and furthermore, that his lyrics are meaningful "with moral lessons and philosophy"

Obey's music, also brought in his trail, petty envies and jealousy.

He was said to have drank “lukudi” (a fetish local preparation, for wealth)- ”Ogun Owo” and that he had undergone surgery, when a mysterious bird flew out of his tummy.

In London, on a musical tour, he was said to have planted Marijuana (Igbo) in his musical instruments. He had a rich musical band, comprising of- Samson Ogunlade, Vasco Da-Gama, Oke Aminu (who died on Saturday, the 25th of August, 1972, in Lagos, in a motor cycle (Vespa), accident. He had left for his house, to change his clothes, to the uniform outfit, worn by other members of the band. Obey was a stickler for band discipline. He died on his way back to join the show.)

Mutiu Kekere, Gabriel Adedeji, Giwa Ojo Arigidi, Matthew Baba Legba, Akanbi Oloye, Monday John, Bode Akiwowo, were also band members.

Obey does praise singing of people- inclusive of non Yoruba people- (Michael Inegbese, Alhaji Danjuma in Agege, Osawaru Igbinedion, Alhaji shehu Arikose in Ajase-Ipo, (Republic of Benin) Samuel Ogundele Adedoyin, Abiola Ogundokun, Chief. MKO Abiola,- in three different Albums, and a host of others, which also served as advertisement, for his fans.

Remo carpets, Teju foams, for Tejoosho, adverts for Datsun motors- Datsun 120, 140, 160, 180, for Alhaji Arishekola Alao, Lawyer Omoni, Yinka Rhodes and praise singing of Board Members- Odunaike insurance controller, Adewuyi Barrister Folly Tairu, Bode Osinusi, Chief Samuel Okunowo, Bisi Lola Edionsere, Henry Fajemirokun and a host of others. In these praise singing, he had also, philosophical muses- Owu alantakun, ko seni ti o le fi ranso (nobody can sew clothes with cobwebs)

“kin ni mama Alaso n ta to yegba dani abi ewure n je lace ni”- i.e.- what is a cloth seller, doing with cane or does goats eat clothes?

And that God gives wealth-“Nibi ta lagbara gbe ti n sise, to n se wahala, aro ti o le dide a si maa rise.”

In his album, “ketekete”- the man the son and the horse-he had also philosophically advised- you can never please the world!

He had also advised people not to bury their talents- “ma se ri talent re mo le…”and gave examples of footballers- Teslim Thunder Balogun, Haruna Ilerika, Althlete Deji Obayemi and lady Athlete- Dupe Osikoya. He had advised his fans to take it easy. Ore mi, e se pele pele- Easy does it and-“soore niwon”- be careful of being extremely generous. He had also in his 1983 hit album, emphasized and encouraged hardwork- “saa maa sise gba ti gbogbo eniyan ko re jo kaluku ni baba pase fun pe sise, loni in”

In “oro Kan ni mo fe bi yin?”- he had asked of choice, between parents and the wife- (ninu obi eni, pelu aya eni, ewo lo se pataki to se koko?)

Obey's vote was for the parents.

In his philosophical preference, in “eniyan ti mo feran ju”, he had given preference to Iya, Baba, iyawo, omo... i.e. mother, father, wife and children in that order of importance...

Obey does enormous praise singing and Christian praise worships.

He sings-“Baba wa ti n be ni orun, (Our Father who hath in heaven) in sweet melody, Oluwa ni agbara mi, (The Lord is my strength) Oluwa ni o, oluso aguntan mi, emi, ki yoo sala i ni o (the Lord is my shephard) and“a n jade lo loni-in” as an early morning prayerful wishes, Mo maa yin oluwa titi laiye” (I will praise the Lord forever) and a number of inspiring gospel songs.

Obey also does Miliki- “e sa maa Miliki o-, ko maa rotate, lo were were, ko maa circulate lo were were…”

He does daily prayers, he sings love, he sang the Paulina story in the Bar beach Lagos, episode.

Paulina was a ravishing beautiful lady, whom he saw at the Bar beach in Marina. He sang- “Mo ri Sisi kan ni Marina to ni n ka lo…”

Obey said-“I was love struck, I lifted her off her feet, singing about her bewitching beauty.”

Obey also sang of the sexual innuendo in - “Ina mo wa tan o, Akanbi ,2ce O pe mi wole o... o ti’lekun mo mi, o ti lekun mo mi o faro idi mi, terepa ba d’oyun o, Obey lo loyun oo jare…”

The lady said, he asked me inside, asked me to put off my clothes, and to these, obey said- “when I was a youth, I behaved as a youth.”

Yes, Obey sang praises of Olanrewaju Omo Badmus- Larry publicity and Estate consultant- Fatai Irawo. In 1972, the music legend, celebrated Olabisi Ajala in his 8th Album- Board Members. He had also celebrated the Association of Brothers-UPASSO.

Obey sang the praises of Olabisi Ajala in the Album-

“Ajala travel all over the world (2ce) Ajala travel (2ce) Ajala travel (2ce) Ajala travels all over the world, alajala mi Omo olola, A’la Ajala mi Oko Alhaja Sade, Alhaja lo s'obokun fun alajala, emi Meje o, emi Meje.”

After a successful music career, yearnings to serve God in HIS vineyard, became real and apparent and this call was spiritually confirmed by the late Arch Bishop Benson Idahosa.

At the peak of Obey's musical career, he heeded God’s call and for 17 years, he was completely out of secular music and was now majorly, involved in the Decross Evangelical Ministry. He was in the ministry and he never looked back.

He had troubled and challenging moments. He lost a factory in Ota, Ogun state that produced cassettes. The company was into debts and he had to sell three of his houses, to offset the mortgage. He bought shares and stocks that went bad.

There was then, another interface in Obey's life. He had a programme in London, with the late Myles Munroe, where they both ministered.

There was a concert after the ministration. On the day of the concert according to Ebenezer Obey- "when I was performing, a lot of people turned out and thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere. So after my performance, he collected the microphone from me and told me that music is my ministry. He said God told him to inform me not to quit music, because that is my ministry. He said it was what God had wanted me to do. He further advised me to preach less, but sing more, that I should preach through music. I prayed about it and that was how we started special appearances. That was when I began to charge fees ranging from N2.5 million and above and before I knew it, I had made millions. I would take a million for my ministry and the remaining would be shared between me and the band. When you listen to GOD HE would always provide for you."

Obey had a chequered and distinguished career.

He said- "whenever I hear my music being played, it is like looking into the mirror. Whenever I hear my voice, I tell myself, that is me sounding, that is me singing."

Obey said of his musical adventure- “I am the musician that has the largest number of music tracks, of music released. I agree with the research.”

His versatility in music composition, has certainly endeared him to the world, as one of the best music composers.

Despite the disability of not singing in a universal language, those who do not understand Yoruba, still find it easy, to dance to his music and the melody- “e wa gbo melody… mo tun gbe melody mi de…”-Come and listen to melody, I have come with my melody.

According to him- "if you do not understand the language, once you hear the melody, you start to nod your head and move your hand, that means the music has entered your body."

With Hon. Femi Kehinde

Ebenezer Obey is currently a Professor of music at the Ogun State University, Ago-Iwoye, a recipient of the National award and Doctor of philosophy at the Oral Roberts University, USA. Life, certainly defines roles, labyrinths and its contours, and has defined that of Ebenezer Obey as a singer, band leader, composer, guitarist, philosopher and a man after God’s own heart. The album celebrating his 70^th birthday in 2012, - “Obey at 70”, was also a master piece, after a very long absence.

Ebenezer Olasupo Remilekun Aremu Fabiyi-Obey, stand up and take your EVERGREEN medal... at 77. May you continue to enjoy your life, in good and robust health and continuous prosperity.

ARTICLE BY:-

HON. (BARR.) FEMI KEHINDE

FORMER MEMBER, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, ABUJA,

REPRESENTING AYEDIRE/IWO/OLAOLUWA FEDERAL CONSTITUENCY OF OSUN STATE (1999-2003)

PRINCIPAL PARTNER, FEMI KEHINDE & CO (SOLICITORS)

IBADAN OFFICE- NO 84, IWO ROAD, IBADAN.

LAGOS OFFICE- PLOT A, OLUWALOGBON MOTORS BUILDING,

OBAFEMI AWOLOWO WAY,

IKEJA,

LAGOS.

ABUJA OFFICE-