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And OBJ Cancelled His Engagements
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To Mark EBENEZER OBEYS 75th Birthday
Pastor E.A. Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God hardly leaves his house at the Redemption Camp on Mondays to attend events any where, no matter how placed the person who invites him is. That is the day he stays back home to rest. Don’t forget he is 80.
But on Monday 3rd April 2017, the grand old man of Redeemed Church broke protocol as he drove down to Abeokuta to pray for Evangelist Ebenezer Obey who was turning 75 on that very day. Baba Adeboye who was in a sky blue French suit with his trademark sortie stepped out of his black jeep at about 2pm with a Tamborine in his hand at the Chapel of Christ The Glorious King (CCGK) at the Obasanjo Presidential Library Abeokuta. He stepped in with his son who is his P.A. and a handful of personal staff and security details. He met the service half way.
He was not the only one who broke protocol.
Former head of state and President of Nigeria Chief Olusegun Obasanjo cancelled all his engagements for that day to play host to Obey. As early as 9am OBJ was ready for Obeys interdenominational Birthday Thanksgiving Service at the CCGK Church. Dressed in a flowing white Agbada, OBJ and his wife, Bola started the service with the celebrant. Not only that OBJ paid for the OOPL Marquee venue where the reception and Event Center, the official launching of Ebenezer Obey music foundation took place. He was also the Chief Host.
He was not the only one who broke protocol. The Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun also broke protocol. He had scheduled an Exco meeting for that Monday morning. But he had to break it twice to be with Baba Obey. Many of his Commissioner had reckoned that Gov. Amosun, their Oga being a great fan of Ebenezer Obey he will cancel the exco meeting to enable him be with the celebrant.
He did not. He started the exco meeting very early and by 1pm he went on break for about 2 hours to enable him play his role at the birthday party and he rushed back to continue the meeting. And after about 2 hours, he was back again for the reception where he announced that the Ogun state government will build a museum in honour of Ebenezer Obey.
WHO DID WHAT @ THE PARTY
The party was one of the best organized society parties in 2017 because everything was on point. The venue was well decorated and the décor was smashing. From food to drinks everything flowed ceaselessly for close to 8 hours. The food was hot and delicious. And as for the drinks it was chilled.
Ebenezer Obey is a stickler for perfection. And he showed it at the party as everything was tip top who did what? Who dazzled at the party. Kaffi Catering Services, Lagos took charge of food. Royal Mandarin Chinese Restaurant, Abeokuta Complimented Fresh Cut Abeokuta was involved too. Kemabom played a role. Cake by The Bakery did the cake. Decoration was done by Tanta Decorations, Drinks was done by A-Z Drinks. Event planner was Lifesmart Events. Prevalent colours was Gold, Silver and Purple.
The main Marquee sat 1,200 guests but very many band boys and artistes were on their feet all through the event. The adjoining overflow tents had a capacity of 250.
The overall supervision was done by Mrs Aduke Rotimi Obey, the celebrants daughters-in-law. She is Rotimi Obey’s wife.
YINKA FASUYI SPENT THE DAY WITH EBEBEZER OBEY
All the way from Ibadan came Asiwaju Yinka Fasuyi, the President/CEO of Ibadan Business School. Fasuyi, who is a Technocrat and a World Bank Consultant is also a respected socialite.
He was one of the key personalities that loomed large at the party. He is a close friend and aburo of the celebrant. He is also a friend to KSA. So loyal is Fasuyi to Commander that he arrived early for the Church Service sat throughout and moved on the reception after. He has come a long way with Baba Obey. He told City People that this is the minimum he can do for Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey who he holds in high esteem. “He told City People that he is close to both Obey and KSA. He described the 2 of them as identical twins who share similar history, philosophy, personality, fame and objective. On their common attributes, he says, both are strong international musical brands, they possess uncommon humility, dispassionately humourous, delicious entertainers, impeccable characters, ingeniously hardworking.
“The healthy competition between the duo over the decades has elicited their profound potentials, which have made the two dominate the juju playfield to date. Second is their area of relative difference. Chief Ebenezer Obey is an undisputable master composer, while King Sunny Ade is a renowned guitarist. While Obey injects his audience with philosophical lyrics on stage, KSA mesmerizes his fans with butterfly dancing skills. While KSA still displays a guyish look, Obey wears more of Cherubic face. Undisputably, the two legends have sustainably created and added value to the Nigeria brand nationally and globally.
No wonder, both wear the national honour of MFR conferred on them decades ago, which I sincerely believe deserve upgrading in their life time, considering the timeless and priceless assets they both constitute to humanity.
BISHOP WALE OKE SERMON
Bishop Francis Wale Oke the President, Sword of the Spirit Ministry, Ibadan and the presiding Bishop of Christ Life Church, worldwide preached at the service. He is also the national Vice-President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in the South West. He went down memory lane about how he first met Oba. He extolled the virtues of Obey.
Born in 1956 in Kasumu village, Francis spent the first 11 years there, before coming to Ibadan where he went to Wesley Teachers’ College, then later the polytechnic and gained admission to the University of Lagos.
He studied Land and Engineering Survey; it was while in the university that he heard the call of God and got connected to Pastor E. A. Adeboye, Pastor Kumuyi, Bishop Benson Idahosa, Bishop David Oyedepo.
Bishop Francis is the convener of the annual Holy Ghost Convention in Ibadan since 1983 and The Nigeria Turning Point Prayer Movement in Abuja since 2003.
He is the host of “The Voice of the Lord” broadcast on radio and TV and author of many bestsellers including Alone with God, The Precious Blood of Jesus and Go Forward.
The Ministry of Bishop Francis Wale Oke is known around the world with a testimony of over 33 years of great impact.
His ministry has taken him around the globe preaching and teaching the word of God with miracles, signs, and wonders following in the power of the Holy Spirit.
OGD SITS CLOSE TO OSOBA IN CHURCH
Not many people know that 2 Ogun former governors, Aremo Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Gbenga Daniel have ended their age long political rift.
Recall that ever since OGD came to power in Ogun State both OGD and Osoba had not been on talking terms because of their political differences. But both have made up. The duo now talk and relate. They sat together at Obeys Church Service.
ROLL CALL OF OBAS
The event paraded a lot of Obas from Ogun State like His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, His Royal Mejesty, Oba Kehinde Gbadewole Olugbenle, (Olu of Ilaro & Paramount ruler of Yewaland), His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adedapo Tejuosho, (Osile Oke-Ona Egba); His Royal Majesty, Oba Olusanya Adegboyega Dosunmu (Oluwu of Owu), His Royal Majesty, Oba Halida Olaloko, Agura of Gbagura and his Royal Majesty, Oba Omolade Jacobs (Olubara Of Ibara).
OBEY CELEBRATES 60 YEARS IN MUSIC
Many didn’t know that the party was not only a celebration of his 75th birthday but also the celebration of his 60 years on stage.
Obey has told all who care to listen that he was sent here on earth to fulfill his purpose.
“ God gave me the talent and gift of music and sent me here on earth on a mission as a musician with messages of love, peace, hope and progress to mankind.”
And it was to fulfill the mandate of God that he formed his first band, the Royal Mambo Orchestra in Idogo, precisely 60 years today in the years 1957. According to Obey, “even though I was influenced to music through the church choir and the school band, his early experience that brought him out as a star was the formation of the Ifelodun Mambo Orchestra in 1955 at Idogo.
REMEMBERING THE MAN WHO MADE OBEY GREAT
Not many know that the man who made Obey blow was a white man called Mr. C.K. Cress, the late MD of DECCA West Africa. He was the one who gave Obey the recording opportunity that ushered him into stardom.
ABOUT THE WOMEN OBEY MISSED AT THE BIRTHDAY
There was one woman who was conspicuously missing at the event which Obey would have loved to be there. That is his ever-supportive late wife. Evangelists Juliana Olaide Aweni Obey- Fabiyi.
BETWEEN OBJ AND WIFE, BOLA
Many people don’t know that Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and his wife Bola are close. Unknown to many she is the perfect fit for OBJ who everyone knows as a tough, no nonsense man. At the event the woman was all over OBJ, fawning all over him. She will laugh and giggle at all his jokes. And she was full of life.
ABOUT ALAKE OF EGBALANDS ROLLS ROYCE
Not many people know that the Alake of Egbaland has a vintage Rolls Royce that he hardly drives unless for ceremonial events. That was the limousine he brought. It was a deep blue Rolls Royce with the plate number Alake of Egbaland.
ORITSEJAFOR’S STYLE STATEMENTS
That Pastor Oritsejafor is a very stylish man of God is no longer news. Whatever he steps out he is usually elaborate in his dressing and he pays a lot attention to his growing especially his coily hair.
At the Obey event this man of God and his wife, Helen, looked glamorous. She also wore a big hat that made her noticeable.
