Nollywood Media | 29 September 2016 09:58 CET

King Sunny Ade, a living legend worth celebrating, says Ooni of Ife

Source: vanguardngr.com

Ile-Ife (Osun) – The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has described King Sunny Ade (KSA) as a living legend worth celebrating.

Ogunwusi made the remarks at a public lecture to mark King Sunny Ade's 70th birthday at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The theme of the lecture was “Nigeria music Industry; the falling standards”.

The Ooni said that King Sunny Ade experience in the Nigerian music industry was worth emulating by upcoming artists.

“We are all here today to celebrate another leader in the music industry; I personally took it upon myself to be part of this event when the organiser came to me,'' he said. Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the 51st Ooni of Ife in Nigeria, waits for transport on a street near the White House June 22, 2016 in Washington, DC. / AFP PHOTO / Brendan Smialowski

His royal majesty lamented that Nigerians were yet to imbibe the spirit of celebrating Nigerians who had distinguished themselves in various disciplines in the country.

Ogunwusi also decried the inability of experienced hands in the industry to mentor the younger ones.

“It is sad that mentoring school is no longer in this country.

“There is a sharp disconnect between the older ones and the youth, and this is getting wider by the day; when last did the youth get in contact with their legend,” Ooni asked rhetorically.

Ogunwusi urged King Sunny Ade and other stakeholders in the music industry to mentor upcoming musicians' as well as the youth for a better tomorrow.

In his remarks, King Sunny Ade said he was happy to be alive to celebrate his 70th birthday.

Sunny Ade, who said that he was lucky to clock 70 years, noted that he was happy to be honoured by Oba Ogunwusi.

“The late Ooni Okunade Sijuwade made me to be closer to him while alive, and now the new Ooni Adeyeye Ogunisi is moving closer to me, I think I am one of the luckiest to be close to the royalty,” KSA added.

The legend also commended the Ooni's efforts in reuniting Yoruba monarchs.

King Sunny, who celebrated his 70th birthday on Sept. 22, was born on 1946 in Osogbo.

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