Spotting a white Buba and Sokoto and looking tired as he walked slowly, almost at a snail pace, into his expansive sitting room, it was obvious that the Chief Commander of Miliki Sound is no longer as athletic as he was few years back; no thanks to his delicate health. Evangelist Ebenezer Obey bestrode the musical landscape of the country for close to five decades churning out hit albums one after the other.
While many of his contemporaries have quit the game, the soft-spoken and affable musician is still in the fray, albeit playing and making special releases for a select clan of the elite. As he turned 69 on April 3, CLETUS NWACHUKWU, spoke with him on his life, his successes and musical career.
EVEN though, his movements were not athletic, his mind remained agile and alert, as he declared, “It’s a great feeling to be 69 years. It’s a thing of joy and I’ve every reason to thank Almighty God for keeping me alive till this day. I appreciate God for His infinite mercies in keeping me alive and giving me a successful career. All glory and honour to Him,” he said.
The Egba- born music legend is renowned for his highly melodious and philosophical songs. Many of his fans were therefore not caught unawares when he became a Christian cleric. For many, he has always been evangelising through his music. But does he feel contented with his life?
“I thank God that I’ve been able to achieve so much in my life. And I’d say, I’m contented even though I still expect greater things to happen in my life. I thank God,” he replied.
Evangelist Obey disclosed that there are plans to celebrate his seven decades on earth in a modest way. According to him, it could also coincide with the release of a new commercial album slated to come out later this year.
“You know, I still do music and very soon, I’ll release a new album, although, I’ve been doing special releases. The new album would still be juju music and it would be a follow-up to the last album ‘Wipe My Tears.” The last album, basically was not a praise singing one,” Evangelist Obey disclosed.
Considering his age and health, does he have plans to quit the game now? Evangelist Obey’s response was not unexpected for a cleric. His words: “What I’m doing is God’s work and as long as I still feel strong enough and He asks me to continue, I would continue doing what I’m doing.”
As one of the founders of the perennially troubled musicians union (PMAN), Evangelist Obey lamented its present situation and decried the bad image it is giving to Nigerian musicians.
“The problems of PMAN are rather unfortunate,” he noted, adding: “Musicians must carry themselves along like one big family because the union of the founding father of PMAN is not what we’ve on ground today.
“For PMAN to come in line with the vision of the founders, it should be run properly, prudently and democratically. There shouldn’t be struggle for power. There’s need for patience in PMAN.
Obey admonished the elders of the music industry to come out of their shells and rally together in order to help chart a new path for PMAN.
“We, the elders of the industry, should not just sit and watch PMAN go from bad to worse. We should come together to save PMAN because, what is presently happening there is a big shame. I’ll not say PMAN should be scrapped, but let’s help chart a new course for PMAN, that would embrace peace, love and respect for one another,” he advised.
He went further to admonish Nigerians to vote for credible candidates and not be intimidated or influenced unduely by the political office seekers. He commended the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega on the good works done so far, and advised him to seriously protect his integrity and help enhance a better future for Nigeria by organizing a free and fair general elections.
He also decried the spate of violence in parts of the country. And he further prayed that God will continue to bless and protect Nigeria, as a united country despite our peculiar problems.
“We need peace, unity and togetherness in this country, for us to progress as a people and I believe God will not desert us in this country,” Obey prayed.
On his life in the last 69 years and his biggest life experience, Obey waxed philosophically.
“Life itself is experience,” he responded. “Therefore, I regard my past life experiences as things pre-destined for me by God. He is a God of goodness and mercy. For my life, I’ll continue to thank God. He has been merciful and marvelous to me.”
Obey disclosed further that all he does presently are playing at church ministries, revivals and few select events because, he is ever-busy with his ministry. His evangelism, he further state, is aimed at helping to bring about the Nigeria of his dream which he described as “peaceful and equality in all aspects of life.
“It is one, without religious, ethnic and tribal problems. One that would lay serious emphasis on technical education, with trade centres and vocational centres. Yearly, our educational system turns out graduates and several years after, they remain jobless.
“You cannot have enough plumbers, bricklayers, carpenters and others. It shouldn’t be all about white collar jobs. Let’s look in this direction. We need all these technical centres to train people in different professions,” he advised.
He went on to advise the incoming political office holders to be prudent, upright, God-fearing, responsible and responsive to the yearnings of the masses.”
“They should not come in as masters, rather they should feel privileged to be opportuned to serve the masses of this country. Let them provide us with power, roads, water and employment. Let the government encourage agriculture, and not waste money on importation of food,” Obey concluded.
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