By Babafemi Ojudu

All through today, since I woke up at 4 a.m., I’ve been immersed in the music of Nigeria’s entertainment icon, King Sunny Ade. I’ve been an ardent fan ever since I first heard his music on my late father’s gramophone. From that moment in my adolescence, I’ve been captivated by his didactic compositions, his dexterity on the guitar, exhilarating dance steps, sonorous voice, and sheer immense talent. Add to this his humility, despite being a world renowned star, you have a man to adore. Today, this king of Juju music is two years shy of 80, and yet he continues to ply his trade with the same vigor. He once told me that he now plays at the weddings of children whose parents’ weddings he entertained, and at whose naming ceremonies he performed. King Sunny Ade remains in high demand, and seeing him on stage at 78 is not so different from watching him at 30—the dance steps, the voice, and the energy are all still there.

Happy birthday, King Sunny Ade! Exactly 18 years ago, I had the privilege of raising 25 million naira and sponsoring your 60th birthday celebration. It was my way of giving back to someone who has given so much to the world and more importantly to me. I commissioned your autobiography, enlisted the renowned artist and gallery owner Prince Tunde Odunlade to curate an exhibition of your memorabilia at Eko Hotel in Lagos, and organized a well-attended church service at Archbishop Vining Memorial Church in Ikeja. The event was graced by dignitaries from across the country, including then-President Olusegun Obasanjo, who graciously hosted you at The Villa during that memorable week. And of course, we capped it off with a grand owambe party in Lagos, where you performed and we danced, ate, and celebrated until 5 a.m.

Many reading this will wonder why I went to such lengths. It was my way of giving back to you, the King of Juju music, Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, affectionately known as KSA.

In 1977, my late father came home with an advert from Sketch newspaper, announcing a scholarship for indigent secondary school students. The initiative was sponsored by you, KSA, and the legendary Chief Gani Fawehinmi. Twenty-five students from the old Ondo State were selected as beneficiaries. I applied, and along with 60 others, I was invited to write an exam in Akure. The event took place at the humble town hall then. My father accompanied me. Right there, Fawehinmi and his staff marked the scripts and shortlisted 40 candidates. I was fortunate to be one of them. After the oral interviews, luck smiled on me once more, and I was among the 25 awarded the scholarship. I received a cheque for N100—yes, N100. That was enough to cover my final year tuition. I was over the moon, and so was my father.
That scholarship marked the beginning of my deep admiration for both Chief Fawehinmi and you, KSA. I promised myself that one day I would give back in a meaningful way, and today, I am proud to have fulfilled that promise for both of you.

For those interested in learning more about my relationship with Chief Fawehinmi and how I gave back in my own small way, you can find it all in my memoir, The Adventures of a Guerrilla Journalist, which will be released next month.