Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, 77, decked in light blue top and trousers, walked in gently aided by his son Femi, Personal Assistant Taiwo Olujimi and Manager Tunji Odunbaku. Few minutes after taking his seat, the quietness that ushered him in was disturbed by the crowd’s request for the rendition of his classic songs. That changed the setting of the opening of the College Gallery, Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta, Ogun State capital, last Wednesday. And for some minutes, Fabiyi was in his best element, Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME reports.
It was sweet homecoming for music icon Evangelist Ebenezer Fabiyi, last Wednesday, at his home state, Ogun State. He was at the Federal College of Education, Osiele, Abeokuta to present some of his personal effects – two guitars, dresses, shoes, eye glass, albums and covers, vintage photographs, among others, to the College Gallery.
His presence drew a huge crowd of fans, guests and staff of the college, who took series of selfies with the legendary musician. From the presentation of the archival items, he was ‘conscripted’ by his fans to offer free musical show.
Prompted by the cheering crowd who were mainly his music fans, Fabiyi, popularly known as Obey, in his famous juju zdays rendered some of his hit tracks to the delight of the guests. His short performance literarily silenced the band that was on hand to entertain the audience at the ceremony. From Aimasiko to Aye wa a toro, Ota mii dehin le yin mi, Oro Oluwa Ede, Board Members, Eniri Nkan he, Ori mi koniburu and Kete kete, he took the audience down memory lane while they sang along with nostalgia.
His renditions, though impromptu and not backed by instrumentation, became the major highlight of the event and were very refreshing for the audience who demanded more. Sitting, Fabiyi obliged the audience asking, ‘’Okay, which one do you want?’’ Twice, he changed his microphone to thrill the audience free.
Earlier, Fabiyi said the need to curate spaces for the preservation of our history and heritage was important. He stated that the reason for donating the items to the school was in response to the college’s request for a museum space in my honour as an indigene of the state.
“I am a proud son of the soil and a legendary music icon, who has been active in the last 60 years and is still active. The journey of my life has been a source of testimony and inspiration to me. I was conceived in Idogo, born in Massey Hospital on Lagos Island, raised in Idogo and Abeokuta before finally coming to reside in Lagos.
“I know this museum space would be of immense benefit and a source of inspiration to the students of the school and future generations who would find motivation in my story and journey through life as a musician, an African and an indigene of Ogun State,” he added.
According to him, he donated the items to the school in good faith, hoping that posterity will ‘’serve us well as we try to preserve our history for the benefit of generations to come. The need to start curating spaces for the preservation of our history and heritage is more important now than ever.
“I dedicate these items to the memory of my parents, most especially my mother, Mrs. Abigail Oyindamola Abeke Fabiyi (Nee Toriola) from Owu quarters in Abeokuta, and to my father Chief Nathaniel Olasewo Fabiyi from Kesi, Abeokuta and to the glory of Almighty God who has been my source of strength all these years! I hope you will enjoy and appreciate some of my personal effects and belongings that I am sharing with you in this museum space,” he said.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, he stated that in 60 years of his music career, he never lost followership or fans when he embraced gospel music because he did not change from secular to gospel music per se as erroneously believed.
“I have been a musician for over 60 years. Mine is not changing from secular to gospel, but a call from God. Though it was difficult for me to say yes or no then, after 12 years, I realised God wanted me to use music to propagate his gospel. That was exactly what happened to me. After 17 years of doing that, the Lord allowed me to do special outreach and appearances. I charged people and I keep part of the proceeds for myself and the ministry. There were comments that I was backsliding then. But, my works were there as evidence and I was still using my music to serve God. I didn’t miss anything,” he added.
Fabiyi said the secret of success of any musician must be a function of what kind of music he releases to his fans. “When I go into the studio, I always asked myself three ‘whats.’ What do I want to give to my listeners? What do I want to impress on my listeners? and What do I want the listeners to remember me for in that particular music? These three questions guided me all through my career. As a result, I rendered meaningful lyrics like counsel, prayer and advice, which listeners want to hear and sing. Also, when I tell a story like Ketekete, it is conceived to teach lesson that no one can please the world. Little wonder my hits have won lots of gold,” Fabiyi said with all modesty.
Reacting to a question on the quality of music being produced by young generation musicians, he said they are communicating to their generation and doing their bit but they can still do better.
He disclosed that he was working on a legacy project that will involve music school, skill acquisition and audio engineering training for the youths. The project, which he said, was being managed by his foundation, is located at Kilometre Four, Ayetoro Road, Abeokuta.
Curator of the show, Oludamola Adebowale said the purpose of curating the mini-museum space is to celebrate a proud son of the soil, noting that all the items were supervised and handpicked by him and Obey and that the idea was not just to create inspiring works for posterity.
He stated that it was also to inspire the younger generations and students of the college that they could also achieve greatness too, as long as they stay focused, work hard and stay diligent.
To him, curating the project of an iconic figure like Fabiyi is nothing but a privilege he would forever cherish. “It’s not just about telling the story of his selfless and legendary life, but also witnessing his accomplishments, struggles and success at the same time,” he added.
He recalled that his journey with Fabiyi started after the successful showcase at the festival exhibition for the Ogun State Government at this year’s African Drum Festival in Abeokuta in April.
“When the authorities at Federal College of Education, Osiele approached him, requesting that he donates some of his personal effects to this space, it was an opportunity for me to work with “Baba Obey” as he is fondly called.
“The purpose of curating this mini museum space is to celebrate a proud son of the soil. Obey-Fabiyi started his musical career in the mid 50’s. He focused on using his music to promote the cultural welfare of Yoruba land and most importantly the culture and heritage of Ogun State. To this effect, it’s worthy enough to celebrate an iconic figure who has contributed to “Juju Music” as an export from Nigeria. A global feat to say the least,” the curator said.
He noted that the Fabiyi’s museum space is not an ordinary one but a presentation to showcase the unique artistic life of the music legend aimed at immortalising him.
Speaking on behalf of the college, Dr. Soyele Adekola said of the many Ogun indigenes that were contacted to set up a cubicle for their archival items, only Fabiyi was the first to show interest.
“Here we are today. This is what he has done. As far as I am concerned, this is the best cubicle in this gallery. He donated it and has spent millions of naira and we appreciate him for that. You have made our day and you are part of history,” he said.
Unlike Fabiyi’s cubicle, former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s cubicle at the gallery was barely filled with handful of archival items, such as quotations, sculptural pieces and photographs. The college’s past and current board chairmen and provost had their photographs displayed on rollup banners at the adjacent cubicles. The inauguration of the gallery, which was done by the former Provost of the college, Dr. Kunle Filani, coincided with the its 24th Convocation, the foundation anniversary, commissioning of the Theatre Art Complex, College Conference Hall and Obasanjo Vocational Education Building; an edifice meant for thew School of Earlky Childhood Care Edaucation/primary Education Complex.
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