Lagos governor celebrates Sunny Ade at 80, hails global impact

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated Juju music legend, Chief Sunday 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, Gboyega Akosile, on Tuesday in Lagos, described Adegeye as an elder statesman.

The governor also described the music icon as a community leader who had used his talent and intellect to promote unity, joy and Nigerian culture.

He said Adegeye was a global music icon and one of Africa’s pioneers who successfully took Nigerian music to the international stage.

According to him, Adegeye was among the first African musicians to achieve international acclaim, bringing honour to Nigeria and the continent.

“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 said.

Sanwo-Olu said the music icon had also used his music to promote unity and values capable of strengthening 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,” he said.

He said the music legend had used his music and intellect to “galvanise humanity” for more than six decades.

The governor said Adegeye’s contributions to the creative industry had continued to make him a reference point for generations of musicians and creative practitioners.

“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,” Sanwo-Olu said.

It was reported that KSA 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.