What seems to be a long-time rift between music icon, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi (MFR) and his former-guitarist, Segun Aweolola, has become a thing of the past.
A reconciliation meeting, which was held at the Abeokuta country home of the music legend, had Awe, who was accompanied by popular broadcaster, Dele Adejanju (aka Agbaletu), who facilitated the meeting. His team plead with Obey for forgiveness, as well for his blessings.
The meeting, which lasted for hours, was successful. R gathered that Awe repeatedly apologised for his actions, which led to the separation with his former boss for over 40 years, just as he eventually found favour from Obey, who noted that he had forgiven him.
Obey said he was grateful to God that the event happened in his lifetime, because he had told him (Awe) that he would come back when he eventually saw the truth.
“I was informed that he had said a lot of things about me on air, but I was not moved because I felt it was not needed. I want Segun Awe’s case to be a lesson to every other band member of musicians. Whatever anyone does in life has been predestined by God. His father brought him to me to undergo tutelage on guitar, but I handed him over to Monday John, because I had lots of engagements as I was at the prime of my career. To my surprise, he came back to me after two months that he was perfect at it. I laughed and told him to come back after six months.
“I asked Monday John about his performance when he returned to me again after a month and to my surprise, he said that he was very fast at learning the guitar and since then, everything was working for good for Segun. Monday even gave him the platform to showcase his talent on stage performance. It was that year he followed me to America. He was very good and also brought innovations to his performance. He was very brilliant and would always inform me about his new ideas. All these endeared me to him so much. According to him, he was childish with his act. He suddenly became incorrigible and stubborn. I was worried about his action,” Obey recalled.
He noted that one of the major incidents that led to the separation was when Awe spearheaded what he described as a ‘coup’ by band members at the peak of a performance, adding, “The moment I signal for our performance, they refused and I was furious, because that was the first time I would ever experience such from the band boys.
“They stayed away and insisted they wanted to speak with him, except the captain of the band, Ogunlade. Segun spoke for the band that the money I was fixing for them to purchase a piece of land should be released to each member. I was angry with his attitude. Honestly, he is very creative, but the gift God gave me is beyond human comprehension and I know that he must have realised that by now. It is painful that his attitude made his journey and music career much longer.
“He also had issues with me about the choice of car he wanted to use. He had done a lot of recordings with me between 1974 and 78. I have no grudges against him, because I love him so much. I believe the reconciliation meeting is divine, because he is gifted. I thank God for a time like this, I have forgiven you and I pray God will make your path and everything you lay your hands successful. You will also become famous beyond your imagination. I also appreciate and prayed for the reconciliation team,” Obey said.
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