Eight things to know about Ebenezer Obey at 81, By Gani Kayode Balogun

1. Ebenezer Olasupo Remilekun Aremu Fabiyi was born 80 years ago at Idogo to Owu egba parents. He was a child born after two decades of barrenness, hence his name Remilekun.

2. He was under the titulage of the immortal Fatai Rolling Dollars of ‘won kere si number wa’ fame and his Federal Rhythm Brothers.. He formed his band , International Brothers in 1964. The name of the band moved on from that to inter reformers band.

3. His mercurial hit, ‘Board members’,and the flip ‘Edumare soro mi dayo’, were so successful that it remained his signature tune for decades. It was also the only album he mentioned the names of his eldest children.

4. The guitar work on the album, anchored by Monday John, is still considered by afficionados as the best example of using the guitar as a ‘talking’ instrument. 

5. His moniker, Obey, came out of his ability to control a room with just his voice. He then became the Commander that must be obeyed, and later Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey.

6.Ebenezer Obey’s endless curiosity led to adding more Yoruba percussion to highlife, thereby evolving a fusion of juju and highlife with more traditional percussion setup.

7. It was Chief Commander who insisted that the creator of Fuji music, the late Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, leave the Army and become a full time professional musician. He was so committed to this path for Barrister that he refused to take no for an answer.

8. Ebenezer Obey came to this world thriugh the World famous Massey Street Hospital, the hospital where most genuises were born.!

Happy birthday to the Commander that must be obeyed. Remilekun Olasupo, Aremu baba Oluwashina baba Rotimi.