President Buhari hails Ebenezer Obey at 80

President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed music legend, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey who clocks 80 on Sunday.

Buhari in a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said Obey’s music has been a blessing, garnering tremendous recognition and adulation nationally and internationally.

“The President pays tribute to the musician, who used his art and skills to fly Nigeria’s flag round the world, bringing joy and merriment to people with his sonorous voice, and didactic songs, for over six decades,” he said.

He also said the musician has used his music to champion government programmes such as: change of lane in 1972 (Keep Right), change to the Naira (Naira/Kobo), operation Feed the Nation, and many others.

“The President notes that the musician/ preacher has sang on virtually every area of human endeavour and activity with countless gold discs and many platinum discs to his credit, leading to being honored with the prestigious award of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) in 2001.

“President Buhari lauds the fact that on 7th of July, 2014, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago Iwoye,  Ogun State conferred on Chief Commander Obey the status of Professor of Music, as a visiting lecturer in the Department of English and Performing Arts of the  University.

“Successfully blending the secular and spiritual, the President urges the younger generation to borrow a leaf from the musician, who was formally ordained into the ministry on his 50th birthday on the 3rd of April, 1992. He is the General Overseer of Decross Gospel Mission, Lagos and the President of Ebenezer Obey Evangelistic Ministries.

“President Buhari wishes the celebrant longer life, good health, and further service to God and humanity.”