Music veteran and evangelist, Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, is set to celebrate his eightieth birthday in the best way he knows by releasing an eight-track album.
Speaking to Sunday Scoop about his birthday plans, he said, “To clock 80 is by the grace of God. God, who has seen me through from day one to 80 years old is the one I would commit the rest of my life to.
“Everything left in the hands of God will be taken care of. I have a six track-album that will be released tomorrow (April 3). The songs are about thanksgiving. We need God’s intervention to help us overcome the bad things happening in Nigeria. It is only God that can bring peace to the country.
“We need every Nigerian to work together towards restoring peace to Nigeria. We only need to appeal to ourselves. I believe Nigeria will be better.”
Meanwhile, accolades have continued to pour in for the singer fondly called ‘Chief Commander’.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), urged the younger generation to borrow a leaf from the musician, whose music has garnered recognition and adulation nationally and internationally.
A statement titled ‘President Buhari greets Evangelist Ebenezer Obey at 80,’ and released by Buhari’s aide, Femi Adesina, stated that Obey’s music has been a blessing.
It read in part, “He has used his music to champion government’s programmes such as: #Change of Lane in 1972 (Keep Right), Change to the Naira (Naira/Kobo), and Operation Feed the Nation, among others.”
The President added that the musician and preacher had sang on virtually every area of human endeavour, with countless gold discs and platinum discs to his credit, leading to him being honoured with the prestigious award of Member of the Federal Republic in 2001.
The president noted that on July 7, 2014, the Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, conferred on Obey the status of Professor of Music, as a visiting lecturer in the Department of English and Performing Arts of the University.
President Buhari urged the younger generation to borrow a leaf from the musician, who was formally ordained into ministry on his fiftieth birthday on April 3, 1992.
Buhari wished the President of Ebenezer Obey Evangelistic Ministries longer life, good health, and further service to God and humanity.
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