The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, has described King Sunny Ade 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’s experience in the Nigerian music industry was worth emulating by upcoming artists.
Ogunwusi said: “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.”
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.
The monarch lamented: “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.”
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.
Sunny Ade said: “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.”
The legend also commended the Ooni’s efforts in reuniting Yoruba monarchs.
Sunny Ade, who celebrated his 70th birthday on September 22, was born in 1946 in Osogbo.
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