Renowned Juju music maestro turned evangelist, Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, has reacted to the death of highlife music legend, Victor Olaiya, who died on Wednesday died at the age of 89.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Obey said Olaiya lived a life worthy of emulation.
He described Olaiya as a good leader, a great entertainer par excellence who had contributed meaningfully to the growth of Nigerian and African entertainment industry.
Obey noted that Olaiya had laid good examples for other African musicians to emulate, having projected good morals in his musical works.
According to him, late Olaiya remained focused, hardworking and dedicated to his career which the younger musicians must emulate to make remarkable progress in the industry
Olaiya died on Wednesday afternoon at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), after a brief illness.
The “Baby Jowo” crooner retired from his musical career in 2017 and had some hit tracks like: “Omopupa”; “Jemila”; “So fun mi”; “Tina Meta”; “Pambotoriboto”; “Aigana”; “Odale Ore”; “Mo Fe Muyan”; Opataritius”; “Omolanke”, among others.
“Nigeria has lost one of the African fathers of highlife music; he has contributed his quota to the development of the entertainment industry and I pray his soul rests in peace and God comforts his family.
“Olaiya was a very serious-minded person who projected the highlife music throughout the entire world.
“He is indeed a man to emulate. He later diverted to do business, and he was a successful businessman also,” Obey said.