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Wumione@AOL.com New York, NY, USA

REMEMBERING I. K. DAIRO,
EBENEZER OBE AND KING SUNNY ADE

y good friend, Tonye David-West did a fine job, not too long ago, when he paid a glowing tribute to Cardinal Erikosima Jim Rex Lawson in his beautiful column in the Nigeriaworld website. I like to follow up his good example today, by remembering three popular icons that have continuously shaped and dictated the trends in Juju Music in Nigeria for close to four decades now. The three are no other than the late I. K. Dairo, Commander Ebenezer Obe and King Sunny Ade. The last two are still very much around, and have dominated Juju Music in Africa and our own sub region, for nearly half a century. To be very candid, each of them in their own right, deserves a whole article set aside for them, because the three of them combined, have become an important part of the Nigerian History, in the way and manner they have put Nigeria on the world map through musical entertainment, and how they have effectively managed our emotions as a people.

In that unique sense, I guess we can all call them leaders in our country, because part of the goal and the essence of Leadership is the ability of leaders to positively manage and galvanize the emotions of their people in a way to make them happy and productive in their daily life and their relationships. Music like Sports is one powerful energizer that appeals to people regardless of their tribe or tongue or status in life. No one, I repeat, no one is totally immune to the power of music and how it impacts the mind, every where in the World. That is why Dancing is almost universal to mankind as you find it in every race and culture. We all take to music almost as easily as you find human beings appreciating or adjusting to sex without being thought by anyone. It just comes naturally. Musicians through out History are known to uniquely galvanize our emotions through their rhythm and lyrics.

I. K. Dairo, Ebenezer Obe and Sunny Ade have done just that, as they have dominated our musical life in the Southern part of Nigeria, in particular, in a way none of their peers around the country, have ever done. The mark of a grateful Nation is to appreciate and recognize the contributions of all her citizens in all walks of Life. What makes a Nation great is not just the work and contributions of the political class alone. It is the totality of the contributions of ordinary people, missionaries, academia, professionals to mention just a few. Great Nations the world over do not wait to be told how to do that. America and the United Kingdom in particular have proved the efficacy of that statement in very profound ways.

The Beetles and the Rolling Stones have become an integral part of the History of Great Britain. Paul McCartney one of the Beetles and the great Elton John were actually knighted by Her majesty the Queen of England in appreciation of their contributions to Great Britain. By the same token great musical talents like Duke Ellington, "Satchmo" Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, Uncle Ray Charles, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, King Nat King Cole, Harry Bellafonte, John Lennon, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gay, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Porton, Kenny Rogers, Michael Jackson and so on and so forth have become historical monuments, eulogized and remembered from time to time, and honored with books and commemorative stamps just to keep their memory alive for generations yet unborn.. I remember a wonderful musician and artist called Dan Maraya in the northern Part of Nigeria. If ever there was any single individual that was able to move, and speak to the conscience of both the aristocrats as well as the peasants in the North, it was Dan Maraya. He had done and still continue to do it, with his wonderful lyrics, played on his magical, improvised instrument that is locally made or manufactured.

I once joined a Delegation of the National Council on Education led by the great A. Y. Eke as Federal Commissioner for Education under General Yakubu Gowon, to go pay a courtesy visit to the late Sultan of Sokoto, the Father of the present Sultan, at his great Palace in Sokoto. At the massive hall where all the Educational Commissioners in the Federation were received by his Royal Majesty, the only music you could hear in the background, before the Sultan emerged to receive the August visitors was that of Dan Maraya. I could not tell what Dan Maraya was saying with his mouth and his nimble fingers on his amazing little instrument, as I did not speak Hausa, but I can tell Dan Maraya's music not only appealed to the Nobility and the Royalty in the North, it also speaks to the underdog and the "talakawas" in society in that neck of the woods in our country. Dan Maraya was clearly an icon of inestimable value in the Northern part of our country. I cannot tell in what ways the 19 Governments in the old North or the Federal Government is currently showing her appreciation to Dan Maraya. But I do know one thing. The man has become a very important factor of the rich and wonderful culture of the Northerners as a people.

Now back to I. K. Dairo, the man who had made Juju Music into a priceless art in our country. I. K. D. (Baba Aladura) as he is fondly called by his fans, could neither read nor write, but he had dominated Juju music in Nigeria like a colossus, and had played it, with so much distinction that had gotten the attention of the whole world including the fancy of Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elizabeth of England who had honored him with an O. B. E several years before his transition a few years ago. Beyond. I. K. D. was so versatile in his chosen profession for so a long time, that he had become so prophetic in his songs and lyrics that, every wise Government in our country has had cause to pay some attention to some of his songs which have sometimes become the barometer by which every Government is judged. His music had appealed to both the rich and the poor, as well as the middle class in our Society. He had helped in so many ways, through his songs to promote the empowerment and the self determination of our people across the board, most especially the downtrodden in our society.

I recall here one of his most popular lyrics, "Won ni mi o mowe o, oniwe mewa nse l'ebira ni Ikeja, won ni mi o mowe o" You can't beat that, can you? A lot of our peasants and illiterates in Nigeria who could easily have lost hope, or resigned themselves to armed robbery, and some indecent and antisocial behavior, were reminded in that lyric that Education, while it might have remained, probably, one of the best game in town, and therefore, good to pursue, is not the only thing that matters in Life. I. K. D. was clearly a "sui generis'" in Juju Music in our country.

I recall again one of his most famous lyric among several, titled "Ko'lori do ri e mu" "Let every one take heed, where Nigeria was going was anybody's guess." I. K. Dairo had waxed that album, so many years, before the Nigerian Civil Strife has ended up in the Biafran War from 1967 to 1970. That album was clearly a warning to the then Federal Government led by Tafawa Balewa and later by Yakubu Gowon, before the rest of the Nigerian Society had had the slightest inkling about what was looming ahead for our country. "Gbim Gbim l'angbo, a o mo bi ibon ti ndun, ko'lori dori re mu o, ka biye sira, oro Nigeria yi o, ko ma ba a dogun" I. K. D. had turned that prophesy into a wonderful music for people to dance to. I. K. D was more than a musician, he was a visionary per excellence. He was a prophet. He was a great Nigerian without any question. He was a genius in his kind of music, and the Nation must find a way to immortalize his name and contributions, is what I am saying.

I recall I. K. D's album, painstakingly waxed for the late Prince Ladejola Oginni when he contested the Ijesha throne with the late Oba Agunlejika. I K D who had evidently become a force to reckon with, through out the length and breadth of Ijesha and the whole of Nigeria, had thought he could throw his weight behind Prince Ladejola Oginni backed by S. B. Omo Bakare. the multi millionaire Ijesha Businessman in Lagos. The album itself was a great success as it sold thousands. But the strategy was an unmitigated disaster as the Ijeshas who are usually very stubborn people, simply refused to toe the line. They, instead, had decided to put all the bets on Prince Agunlejika from Ibokun who eventually became the Owa Obokun of Ijesha Land. Ladejola Oginni did not live to tell the story of the Obaship tussle. His candidature was rejected by the Ijeshas because they had claimed he was from a female line, because succession to the Ijesha throne was "patrilineal", and the Ijeshas were not ready to throw that overboard to accommodate Prince Ladejola Oginni, supported by S B Bakare and the one and only I K D. Ladejola Oginni had become a more serious and credible candidate, to begin with, in large part, due to the support from the one man Battalion that I K Dairo had represented at the time in the esteem of the Nigerians who thought I K D could do no wrong.

Now to Commander Ebenezer Obe whose name and contributions to the Nigerian Music scene had to be written in gold, even in his life time, because his music is truly timeless. Obe would clearly have taken the Gold medal in Music in Nigerian Olympic of Music, when you think of all his compositions from A to Z including his "Colonel Benja Adekunle ku ise o" specially waxed to immortalize the contributions of the Black Scorpion, the first Commanding Officer of the Third Marine Commando in the Biafran War. What of his great Album for Abeokuta, Ilu Egba or his single album for my dear brother-in-law and friend, the late Georgie Oyedele, the Great George Hayes, "Ewu funfun Bata funfun o" " Georgie Oyedele. Oye to je, l'abe Olumo, l'Oke Ona, ki i s'oye l'asan" and others too many to recall here. Commander Obe is, undoubtedly, the very best, and there would never be another Ebenezer Obe in a hundred years Never.

I am not just talking of the melody of his songs alone, or the enchanting beauty of his music which appeals to all sections of our society, including the young and the vibrant, the middle age and the old in our society. Obey's music cuts across all ages and generations. That is why his music sounds better off, today, than it ever was when those records were first waxed. If you appreciate reason and philosophy Obey is your man any day. It was the Israeli Foreign Minister Eba Eban who once said that "When everything else has failed, man turns to Reason" to seek a way out. Obe's music is like that. If you used to love Dancing, and can no longer do so because of old age or infirmity, and you just want to listen to a music that will edify your mind, take you back through the ages, and make you a better and wiser person, Commander's album is the place to go. if you speak and understand the Yoruba Language with its incredibly rich culture, you just go and get yourself new CDs of old lyrics of the one and only Commander of Music. You will be glad you did. Just listen to the music first thing in the morning or last thing at night before you sleep. It is then you can fully appreciate what I am taking about. Obey will live for ever in our hearts and consciousness. "Amin, kum faya kum".

Obey has waxed many records in his checkered career that would win an Oscar any day, if we have such Musical Pageants in our country. I am only going to focus on two or three of his records that amplify this tribute from my own subjective point of view as a Yoruba Music junkie and as a Nigerian who is a little bit crazy in the way I look at issues of this nature. A few things appeal to me that many Nigerians will never even consider as important. I have always been in Love with "Ketekete" waxed by Commander Obe clearly close to two decades ago. It is a simple satire of a man and his son and their donkey. But for me as a Clinical Psychologist and Historian, the central theme of that record, if articulated in a book, is rich and sound enough to earn Commander Obey a Doctorate in Philosophy in Human Behavior in the Social behavior, without any question.

Obe has really got my attention in that lyric, as I used part of its logic in crafting and defending my thesis in Psychology at the Yeshiva Jewish University of New York where I did my second post graduate studies, after I decided on a change of career, following my pensionable retirement from the Federal Public Service of Nigeria, way back in 1986. The long and short of that lyric is that it is impossible to satisfy the human being. You can only do, but so much, and leave the rest to God. All the same, you will still be criticized, because nobody is able to, completely, satisfy the world, no matter how much you try. I will personally give Commander Obey an Oscar for that album, if it were all left to me. If President Obasanjo is listening, he should go listen to that album, and take some lessons from it. And those of us who never get tired of lambasting him should go listen to the same lyric over and over again for our own edification.

My next favorite is "A kunle, a dupe, a t'ewo adura o" That album gets better and more attractive and enduring every day, I listen to it. It was waxed before Obey ever became a preacher and a born again Christian. That album is so much in demand today in a country seeking to embrace God in our thousands, despite our sins and our transgressions as a people. Only God knows who truly worships him in truth and all righteousness. It is one of Obey's unbeatable composition rendered with the voice of a Nightingale, smooth, and flawlessly rendered, reflecting a beautiful synthesis of both common sense and logic. Allahu aqbar! Our Nation must, of necessity, thank God for the special Blessings of having Ebenezer Obe as one of us. I don't know about you. I am just too proud of Obey and I adore his Music, and ever will, for as long as I live.

The last and not the least lyric out of many is titled "Awon Enia lasan, won ti b'enia rere je." "The few rotten eggs among us, Nigerians, have tainted our reputation" sings our Nigerian equivalent of Nat King Cole with his velvet voice. Just look at the poor image of Nigerians around the World today, and you will appreciate that Obey had spoken for millions of Nigerians in that fantastic album. What he had said was true then, and it is still true today. Obey has remained a musical idol to many in our country, and time is not about to change that any time soon. It is our prayer that God gives him long life, to continue to be of service to our nation. Amen.

Now to King Sunny Omo Alade, Adegeye Adeniyi who I call the last and not the least of the three Talents I have decided to chronicle and eulogize in this article. Sunny needs no introduction, might add. I once I had an opportunity, years ago to be a Master of Ceremony when he came to play in Akure, my home town, the state capital of Ondo State where Sunny Omo Alade had held his several thousands of his fans spellbound, using his Guitar to good effect. Sunny had brought out the best in me as a master of ceremony, as he broke all comers record, rocking the whole Stadium, as other artist, in our history, has been able to replicate. Never. It was a virtuoso performance. Sunny, by his own words, has admitted, he has been to the mountain top of Music fame in Nigeria. Nobody can deny that. There was a time he was not so sure, and in his wizardry, he himself had turned that unique moment into a golden album that sold close to a million in his "E su biri biri, e bo mi o, iwaju lol'Oko nwa mi lo, ehin sa, lo'Oloko nwa mi lo, mi o mo, mi o mo ye o, mi o mo" He later reversed that once he crossed the Rubicon of Music following his triumph over a Nigerian Don King who had wanted to take advantage of his musical talent and innocence, but had failed woefully.

Sunny has entertained Nobility and Royalty, all over the world, in all their ramifications, including Emperors, Presidents and Prime Minister including the first Black President of the United States of America, our own Omobowale William Jefferson Clinton born in Hope Arkensas, but could have been born at Ibadan or Lagos, Nigeria or Nkroful in Ghana or Kaula in Senegal. To fully appreciate how far up Sunny has climbed in the Music Chart of the World, you have to remember Sunny is arguably the only musician in our country to be addressed by first name by the likes of President Clinton, President Nelson Mandela, President Yakubu Gowon, President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Ibrahim Babangida, and so many Royalties in Nigeria and beyond. Sunny has entertained at the prestigious Central Park in New York City, and the World Trade Center Plaza in the financial capital of the World. It doesn't get any better than that, if you ask me. King Sunny Ade is Nigeria's roving Ambassador to the World, and one of her greatest image makers around the world. You'd better believe that.

When it comes to music, percussion and lyric and Guitar wizardry, Sunny has no equal in Nigeria. The only possible exception is Guitar Boy Sir Victor Uwaifo in his "Joromi" Days. He will probably grudgingly accept a runner-up position to Sunny Ade in today's Nigeria if a poll were to be taken, and if the truth must be told. Sunny has remained the best teacher of how to dance to hi owns music. I blame Sunny as contributing, in no smaller measure, to the very rampant Back Ache problems that have become a common ailment of Nigerians, second, only to High Blood Pressure or Malaria. He had broken too many backs with his guitar including mine, and I am planning to sue him for Damages the next time he is in New York.

You will get some heavy dose of Philosophy by just listening to Sunny's music, but in a slightly different sense from what you get from listening to Obe's music. Why? Because Sunny's Guitar will not let you concentrate, no matter how much you try. Sunny will get you easily worked up with the mysterious sound of his wonderful guitar, and he will take the best out of you, because he is so good at it. If you don't believe me, ask President Clinton and Chelsea the last time they were here on a state visit. Sunny is something else. Abba? Ki lo de?

Sunny's Albums that have gotten the best out of me are legion, but I am only going to zero in, on just a few that have captured my fancy as a big fan of Sunny Many of these albums were normally waxed to eulogize individuals in our Society who have broken even. Many of them are oppressors who would use their overflowing wealth to intimidate and dazzle the poor when they begin to roll in, the bails of 50 Naira notes which they throw at Sunny as he sends them to cloud nine making them feel good about themselves and their achievements in life. To those individuals, no money is too big to dash out to Sunny in appreciation of his talents and praises.

One of those albums was waxed for Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, Iku, Baba, Yeye, the Alafin of Oyo on his coronaton, with some heavy compliments paid to Kabiyesi Oyesosin, the Elejigbo of Ejigbo, another socialite Oba. That album has remained a masterpiece till tomorrow. Another one was waxed for Omo Dokpesi, our own equivalent of Ted Turner, the owner and founder of CNN. Dokpesi from Aganabode in Edo State is the pleni potentiary owner of the only Independent Cable Television in Nigeria. The last one was waxed for a woman, Erelu Fernandez. Just listening to that album and its lyrics, you would think Erelu was some mythical figure like Moremi of Ife, Emotan of Benin or Oya, the mythical wife of Sango, Oba Koso, a former Alafin of Oyo, in those days when Alafin was clearly the "primus inter pares" among the Obas in the Yoruba Empire, second only to the Oni of Ife, the spiritual Head of the Yorubas and "Arole Oodua, the progenitor of the Yoruba Race the world over. "Sango ko le pa igi l'oko, ki igi ohun ko tun ruwe mo, Erelu" Sunny has often made people wonder what kind of man could be Erelu's husband, the way Sunny had painted Erelu in that album. If his characterization of Erelu was contagious, the lyrics accompanying the song and his rendition of it, was dynamite That was vintage Sunny Ade. Sunny is easily the most charismatic entertainer in our country who will dazzle his fans with his uncanny ability to move his body to synchronize with his musical percussion, and guitar wizardry at the same time. He has reached the same height in the belief and adulation of our people across the board, just like musical juggernauts in America like B.B.King, and his mythical Guitar fondly referred to as "Lucy," has entered into the folk lore of America. Sunny has been to the mountain top of Juju Music in our country, and has become the most visible ambassador of our country in that context.

Sunny, the Darling and favorite of his fans is one of the most humble individuals you will ever meet in and out of stage. He has become a great asset not only to our country, but to Ondo State and to Ondo town where he was born and bred. For his contributions to our country, and to Lagos his home away from home, Sunny Ade has become an icon in his own right. He truly deserves all the honor that can be bestowed on him, by our country while he is still in the best of Health. I doff my hat to Sunny and wish him the best of Luck in his twilight tears.

The three musical giants I have chronicled in this article are all men of honor, among several that our country has produced, and needs to recognize, for all they have been doing to promote our country, and her corporate interest around the world. Writing about them, and documenting their contributions for generations yet unborn, is a pastime, I relish, for whatever it may be worth. I rest my case.