At 84, I Still Get Song Inspiration Even In Toilet – Ebenezer Obey

Evangelist Ebenezer-Obey Fabiyi is a legend in all forms, having contributed immensely to the music industry and the church world as a clergyman. The octogenarian and statesman will be 84 in April and still waxing stronger and in good health, rehearsing with his band. He spoke to SAMUEL ABULUDE on sundry issues.

You are still performing at 84, are you not tired?

It’s a very good question. I want to thank God for allowing me to clock 84 in the land of the living. Am I not tired of my activities and performing at this age? Music is a source of joy for both players and admirers. The admirers enjoy the music; the players do too. So it is a source of joy. It is a profession that, when you are doing it, you are happy. And you see the happiness also from those listening, and that adds to your joy. So music is like a therapy that brings a lot of joy. For instance, if someone is having a problem that’s weighing them down, and if they play one of Obey’s records, it soothes them; it cools all that frustration. It helps them forget and find a solution. When anyone is in problem, the answer is not to let it weigh him or her down because that is what causes depression. All you need to do is play music. If you play a thought-provoking number, it touches all the areas of your mind. If you have a lot of detractors and enemies, and you remember Obey’s song.  ‘Ayanmi Ko se to le pada, Eleda mi gbemi leke aye. Ayanmi la t’odo oluwa ni, Eda aye kan kole simi nipo pada, Eleda mi ye o mo bebe ye, Eleda mi gbemi leke aye’. That song gives you assurance. It is a prayer. Your enemies, your detractors, there is no way they can overcome you or have the power to pull you down. If someone goes through a kind of experience that is not palatable or is affecting his or her life, the song, ‘Ara mi ese pele pele, T’aiye ban fe e, Erora jaye oh. Aye o feni foro a fi ori eni’. The song is advice. All my songs are meant for prayer, advice, or storytelling that can teach people wisdom.

How will you celebrate your 84th birthday? I learnt you are praying to make the 85th birthday a big one?

I decided to make this 84th birthday a low-key one. Number one, it falls on Good Friday (3 April). I don’t want anything done on Good Friday; it is a special day. I will just use that to reach out to the less privileged in society and do outreaches. By the grace of God, I will wait until the 85th year. I will celebrate it on a larger scale.

Some musicians and entertainers have problems after their death because they didn’t prepare for it. As a Christian at this age, are you prepared?

Every man on earth will know that our journey of life will come to an end one day. Taking the examples of not only musicians but also popular people after they have left or died, they have problems. It is a general thing. We all came into this world on a journey, and the journey will end one day. It is a general thing. You will do your best and let God do the rest. I have seen a popular lawyer; after his death, there was a misunderstanding among his children. To date, they have not been able to resolve it. Almost fifty years later, they have not been able to resolve the issues. And I have seen other people, too, who meant well, who prepared their Will and are comfortable that everything is okay. After he had gone, fights came up here and there. A Yoruba adage says ‘Ogun (inheritance) o maa nfa ogun (crisis), o nfa oogun (sweat), o nfa oogun (juju)! One can only try one’s best and leave God to take care of the rest. When you are gone, you are gone. You don’t sit back; you don’t know what is going on after that. May God help us and teach us to thrive. I pray that the children will have understanding and accept things the way they are.

So, have you prepared your Will?

The right answer is that you have to prepare. I am prepared. May God help all of us (Amen).

You have 100 albums, and lots of evergreen songs to last a legacy and generation, how does it make you feel?

I give thanks to the Almighty because everything I do, I depend on the Almighty God for guidance, for living my life. God brought all of us here for a purpose. If you are a child of God and you follow what Jesus said. The Holy Spirit will guide you. And the Word of Jesus will act as instructions to be followed. For example, Jesus said, Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and every other thing will be added unto you. We are supposed to live in the Kingdom of God here on earth, as Jesus taught us to pray. When we look unto God for everything, our way will go right. At times, we make mistakes; he forgives us and helps us follow the right way. Remember what Psalm 121 says to look up to God.

What is the secret of your evergreen songs?

The fact is, my source is in God. When I want to record, I ask God to show me what to sing, when to sing, and he shows me. All my songs are either prayer or words of advice, words of assurance….. (Begins to seek some of the songs) If you want to talk about Keteke (the man, the horse and his son), that is a story that tells you there is no way you can please the world. I have songs for different purposes. (A nja de lo loni Eledumare…..)  The songs are loaded. I still get song inspiration in the toilet. (O ti mo mi lara). It has become the norm with me. When I am with people, and I am being hailed – Baba Obey o. That is different from when I am alone in the toilet. It’s quiet.

Are any of your grandchildren taking it into music like you, aside from Tolu Obey?

All of my grandchildren love music and are into it in one form or the other. Ladi is here; he is into music. Almost all my grandchildren are into it.

So we should look forward to some collaborations between them and Grandpa?

Yes… We rehearse together. I am happy that they are into music.

What do you want to be remembered for?

I live that to the people. There must be different opinions. I know I have a lot of things people will remember me for after my time here on earth. I leave it to them.