I was almost through with my official duty, Thursday, last week. As it is my usual practice, I came outside of the office with my accomplice, Chief Tunde Busari , just for our usual banters and personal talks.
The Distraction
The distracting attraction was the flaming fluffy white hair all over his head with a tinge of dark patches at the scalp but yet a very young man.
I instantly gravitated towards him, the feeling irresistible. The identity was so sharply unmistakable.
He is truly a chip off the old block;the son of a living music genius and master, the progenitor of the Miliki genre of Juju Music, Chief Olasupo Remilekun Fabiyi, aka, Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey.
His name is Toluwalase Obey-Fabiyi, simply known in the music world as Tolu Obey, a fast-rising musician following the footsteps of his great legendary father.
We chatted for about 30 minutes,his candour, humility and sense of humour highly infectious.
There and then, I goofed…I bade him goodbye and took my exit without requesting for a photograph with him.
My mistake became more pronounced when, on getting home, I told two of my children that I met one of Obey Commander’s children. Pronto, they enthusiastically picked up my mobile phone and frantically, but in futility, searched for his photos. Their disappointment was visible as the two boys chorused: “But daddy, this is very unusual of you. How can we know that you truly and really met the man?”
I apologised and hopelessly (as I don’t know how) assured them,”Don’t worry boys, it would be sorted out, somehow.”
However, Mother Luck smiled on Monday, 2 December, 2019.
Lo and behold, I sighted him, again. At the same spot outside the Tribune House, here in Ibadan, with the same person and colleague, Sokoya Oluwaseyi Samuel.
Exuding his high sense of humility, respect and charming sense of humour, Tolu, who is in his 40s, disarmed me as he almost prostrated to greet me, saying, “fate and destiny, indeed, brought us together, sir.”
After the usual banters, and in line with the dictum- “once beaten, twice shy”, I immediately requested to take photographs with him. He gladly accepted and the photo shooting session began, with Seyi becoming an emergency photographer.
His Vision…His Commitment
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Thereafter, the journalist in me took over and I said, though casually: “A kii nri ewu losan o. What brought you to my domain, twice within a week.”
The white-haired wise young man, with music and its promotion obviously being his passion, seized the opportunity of the free PR offered by me to inform me of an upcoming event and which he is the anchor and coordinator. He said he hope to, through the event, to create further unity among Nigeria’s legendary musical families and their children.
The event, tagged “Legacy: Next Generation”, Tolu said, is a musical concert designed to celebrate Nigeria’s music icons as well as to revive the heritage, culture and talents of indigenous music as a tool to further the development of the music industry and give Nigeria a global edge.
“The event, organised by Superstar Leketex Nigeria Ltd and billed to hold on December 19, 2019 at the Grand Ballroom of Lagos Continental Suites, Victoria Island, will feature a display of legends and their progenies.
“It is targeted at reviving and preserving Nigeria’s heritage and the rich history and cultural values embedded in music. It is essential that we must not allow foreign music to overshadow our indigenous works. This is why this development requires a collective support in actualising a sustainable growth in resuscitating Nigeria’s indigenous music.
“This will also influence the younger generation musicians to go in the positive direction in delivering meaningful and culture-laden lyrics to shape our society positively,” he said.
He informed that some of the children of the prominent legendary musicians that will feature at the event include himself, Toyosi, aka Emperor (King Sunny Ade), Seun Kuti (Fela Anikulapo Kuti), Musiliu Ishola (Haruna Ishola), Paul Play (I. K. Dairo), Daisi Orlando (Orlando Owoh), Dare Art Alade (Art Alade), Big Sheff (Kollington Ayinla and Salawa Abeni), Barry Showkey and Barrymade (Sikiru Ayinde Barrister) and Queen Halimat Omowura (Ayinla Omowura).
He also hinted that the event is expected to be graced by prominent personalities, including the South-West governors and some notable traditional rulers in the country.
The event will also celebrate some distinguished Nigerians and music legends, including Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi; highlife maestro, Pa Dr Victor Olaiya, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Salawa Abeni and Dele Momodu, amongst others.
