By Moses Okorie
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated veteran Juju music maestro, Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade (KSA), on his 80th birthday.
Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Tuesday in Lagos, described the music legend as an elder statesman and community leader who had made remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
The governor said Adegeye had deployed his talent and intellect over the decades to promote unity, joy and values capable of strengthening society.
According to him, King Sunny Ade is a global music icon and one of Africa’s pioneers who successfully took Nigerian music to the international stage.
“King Sunny Ade is an elder statesman, a community leader, a respected music maestro of our generation and a man who has used music to spread joy.
“He has also used his music to promote unity and values that are capable of strengthening our society.
“We thank God for His grace upon Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye and for using music as a tool for a good cause in our society,” Sanwo-Olu said.
He noted that the music icon had, for more than six decades, used his music and intellect to “galvanise humanity”, while contributing significantly to the growth of the creative industry.
Sanwo-Olu said Adegeye’s achievements had continued to make him a reference point for generations of musicians and creative practitioners in Nigeria and beyond.
“On behalf of my family and the people of Lagos State, I celebrate our own King Sunny Ade at 80.
“He is not just a music maestro but an elder statesman and a community leader who has brought honour to Nigeria.
“We pray for greater strength and continued relevance for him,” the governor said.
King Sunny Ade was born on Sept. 22, 1946, in Ondo.
He is one of Nigeria’s most internationally recognised Juju musicians, with a career spanning more than six decades.
Adegeye has made significant contributions to the development and global promotion of Nigerian traditional music, earning recognition both in Nigeria and internationally.