Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi who hit stardom as “Chief Commander” of the juju music genre in the early 1970s was 81 early this week. He is our Special Celebrity this week. He took our Contributing Editor IFECHI OKOH through the journey of his illustrious career, and how he transformed from a true juju musician to an evangelist, among other interesting milestones. Savour it.

Why did you love Juju music in the era of highlife?

Thanks for this interesting first question. It may be quite surprising that I love Juju music, hence I made it my choice in the era of highlife. That is not to infer that I don’t love highlife. I do, but my love for Juju music appeared to have overshadowed that of highlife. The fact that highlife music then was well known and accepted outside Nigeria, made its popularity to be felt all over Africa, especially within the West African Sub-region, like Ghana and Nigeria. I love Juju for two cogent reasons. One, it was for the fact that it had been there and people loved it too. The second reason was that I was convinced beyond all doubts that I could redefineJuju music through my creativity. I thank God today that I have succeeded in developing and modernizing it appreciably.

What were your challenges then as a Juju musician?

It is obvious that everything that one wants to start in life is bound to be plagued by obstacles or challenges. This came in an adventurous form and unless you are prepared for this adventure, you may not succeed. But with my determination, I scaled through by God’s decision to crown my efforts and I thank Him sincerely for this.

What did it take you to compose your music then?

There were two factors involved here: talent and special ability to compose. God gave me both. But on my own, I put in extra efforts into my compositions. This I usually do whenever any song crept into my thought. Interestingly, this mostly happened whenever I was in pretty quiet places, especially in the toilet. When I noticed this, I began to go to the toilet with biro and writing materials in anticipation. Hence, the tendency to spend moretime there than expected because it was the safest place to spend more time withoutbeing disturbed. I thank God for crowning my efforts which finally led to my success. I am such a person who takes my prayer seriously. Perhaps, as a result of this, God crowned my labour.

Can you tell us what led to the composition of your ‘Paulina’ hit single?

In composition, imagination and creativity are pretty important. That was exactly what happened in the case of my ‘Paulina’ hit single. The setting then was the defunct Marina called seaside. All I did was to see myself walking along the area one breezy night when I bumped into a pretty lady called Paulina. Her ravaging beauty encouraged me to probe who she was. I was excited to have known her name and as somebody who was love-struck, I lifted her off her feet, singing about her bewitching beauty.

How and when did you meet late Fatai Rolling Dollars?

I want to say here that all my steps, especially in music, were ordained by God. Meeting late Fatai Rolling Dollars was just one of the steps which God directed. Before we met, I was already a band leader. I formed my band in 1957. However, I played with him for many years.

This was how it happened. One faithful day, two elderly musicians were passing by my house. One was playing the guitar while the other was drumming. I loved their music and, as a result of that, I followed them quietly for quite a long distance. When they realised I had been following them, they stopped suddenly. They were shocked at my action and asked why. I confessed that their music, which swept me off my feet, was responsible for my action. It was then they asked if I could assist them to get instruments. I told them that I knew where they could get it. They looked at me, bewildered, or more like an angel who came when all hopes were lost. So, I took them there. They rented the instruments, including amplifiers for their engagement which had been giving them sleepless nights. One thing led to another until I requested to know Fatai Rolling Dollars. The men gladdened my heart when they told me that Rolling Dollars passes in front of their house most times. They promised to arrange how I could meet him. This, they did successfully. That is how I met Rolling Dollars. It was when we met that God used me to establish his band. It was then I played under him and became his second in command. I was with him for three year before I left, I left because it was the dream of everyone to grow and become a master of his own.

Why did you go into praise-singing?

I did not go into praise singing for the fun of it. It had been there for ages when my fore-runners in the juju music genre started music and popularized it.

May we know why you embraced and started propagating gospel through Juju music?

To become a gospel artiste you must be called. When the Lordcalled me, it was not easy for me to embrace the call. Hence for 12 years, I struggled with God before I finally answered His call. That was how I started my ministry in which I have already spent 25 years. I was called when I was 50 years. I have been propagating the gospel for the past 25years, using music to evangelize, bring people from the kingdom of darkness to light.

How has life been after the death of your wife?

I strongly believe that after living with herfor 48 years, her sudden death is bound to make me feel bad, especially for the inevitable vacuum created by her painful exit. It is not naturally easy for anybody to love and live with somebody for years, only to lose her and not go through excruciating pains which only God can heal.

Why do you mark your birthdays?

Since I became a celebrity, I celebrate my birthdays. I remembered that I celebrated my birthday when I was 40 years, simply for the fact that it was a landmark in my life. I did again when I was 50 years, 70years and now I am set once more to celebrate my 75th birthday on April 3rd at Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. The main factor is to thank God for all his goodness till now, especially His grace which had kept me alive and healthy too. So, I have all the cogent reasons to praise and thank Him every time, using my birthdays and music as a channel and forum.

Can you remember the pranks you played as a lad and teenager?

I want you to know that every phase of life comes differently because when you were a child, the way you think, act, do things, differ from the way you conduct yourself when you are an adult. You are not expected to think or act as a child when you are already an adult becauseyou are expected to have been matured and, as a result, become a right-thinking person. I must have acted as a child when I was a child. But as an adult, it has been a different ball game.