By Ladi Ayodeji
As mentioned in a write-up recently, during my interview session with Evang (Prof) Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, the juju music superstar asked if I was still with Rev Chris Okotie.
That’s a question most people ask, obviously because they don’t expect me to still remain close to the iconic preacher/troubadour after so many years (21 or thereabout), serving as his media adviser.
As the session with Obey drew to a close, he sent for a pack that contained a collection of the CDs of his hit songs. “This is for Pastor Chris (Okotie)”, he said, as he handed it over to me. It was then I know why he wanted to know the current status of my relationship with Okotie. Obey was pleased to know that I am in good rapport with the minister.
“Pastor Chris is a good man”, he chipped in.”Oh, sure! I know that”, I replied. “Please, help me deliver this to him. I have been wondering how to get this across to him, thank God you came,” Obey said.
This was Thursday December 23, 2020. I thought the music collection was a Christmas gift. It is a great treasure to have Obey’s collection, the songs tell a history of Nigeria’s social-political, cultural and even, economic development. I wanted to ask for mine, but I restrained myself, thinking it wasn’t proper to do that, lest the Juju icon thought I was taking undue advantage of him.
Folks, don’t blame me! Who wouldn’t want to have the Ebenezer Obey music catalogue? His discography is a touchstone of Nigeria’s history between the ‘60s and now. Listening to the collection, you’d learn about socialities all through the ages till date; the rich and powerful, top government officials, prominent business leaders and landmark events like the civil war, change of currency, and deaths of prominent citizens like traditional rulers, politicians and business leaders, etc.
I sought an appointment with Rev Okotie, and he asked me to meet him in his (our) Church, Household of God, tucked in a quiet corner of the Oregun Industrial Layout, Lagos. I met the Pastor there, rehearsing with his instrumentalists; this was Christmas Eve, and it was obvious that he was preparing for Christmas service.
After the rehearsal, the Pastor met me at the Reception of his lavishly furnished office. We exchange pleasantries, for we hadn’t seen face to face since Covid-19 began. He barely took the gift pack when he began to eulogize Chief Ebenezer Obey. “There’s something about his voice… not just the philosophy of his lyrics, or his composition, I am really happy to know the gentleman”, Okotie said. “That voice is something else,” Okotie explained in admiration. He’s such a great composer. I’ve always admired him, right from when I was a little boy, he added.
I saw this fascination for Obey’s music when some years back, the Pastor asked me to get the Juju superstar to perform at a special event in the Household of God. This was an honour, for Okotie doesn’t do that. When Obey came, he did so with his band and we had a ball. With the show almost over, the Pastor asked for a special number. It was, “Edumare Soro mi dayo”, one of Obey’s greatest hits. Request granted.
It was performed and the congregation took to the dancing floor. Hallelujah!
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