I still compose songs inside toilets — Ebenezer Obey

Renowned musician, Chief Ebenezer Obey, speaks on the his early life, AKEEM LASISI writes Juju maestro and evangelist, Ebenezer Obey, has said that, at 73, he still composes songs inside toilets. Part of the revelations he made three years ago during his 70th birthday celebration was that he found toilets to be conducive for his muse. In an interview with journalists in his Ikeja, Lagos home on Friday, Obey said that although he could compose anywhere, toilets still remain one of the most productive environments for him. He said, “The reason is that I always have busy schedules. When I am in the house, there will be a lot of things and people – especially visitors – to attend to. So, people will naturally disturb me when I want to compose songs. But the toilet is the only place where no one can disturb me. At times when I am there, I stay longer because I compose songs there.”

Obey, however, stressed that God is the source of his inspiration and that was why many of his songs are evergreen. He advised budding artistes and youths generally to be hardworking and believe that challenges and adversity are a stepping stone to success. According to him, he was once a labourer, clerk, vendor and an ice cream seller. He explained, “Anyone who wants to succeed in life should be prepared to go through certain challenges. In my early days, I struggled a lot. I was a labourer. I was a vendor and an ice cream seller. The bicycles that ice cream sellers rode in those days were bigger than what obtain now. Yet, I was riding mine up and down. “That time, I always prayed to God and asked: Why have you not answered me? We used to buy papers at Idi Oro, in the Mushin area of Lagos. By 2am, we were already on queue. The papers we were selling then were Daily Times, West African Pilot, Daily Express, Nigerian Tribune and Morning Express. It was not easy walking up and down the streets selling papers. Vendors use horns now. Then, we had to shout on top of our voices.”

Obey, who is one of Nigerian musicians with the highest number of evergreen albums, said he had discovered his musical talent at that time but his mother did not want him to be a musician. It took his determination and a chance encounter with two old musicians, who gave him an opportunity to perform at functions, to get to the path of his musical destiny. On how he copes without his wife who died about four years ago, he said, “My wife is with the Lord. God called her in 2011. I miss her. There is no way you won’t miss such a wonderful woman. But I know it is God who called her. And one day, I too will go and be with Him. Some people have asked if I am not going to remarry. But I say I have not been led to do so. My children and grandchildren have filled many gaps. All of them are around me. They are taking good care of me.”