UI honors King Sunny Ade

The Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan on February 14,2013 held a distinguished personality colloquium in honour of the king of juju music, Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade.
The event, which took place at the Conference Centre of the university, was well attended with the presence of a paramount Yoruba traditional ruler, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, and other distinguished scholars and traditional rulers.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Isaac Adewole, was represented at the event by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Arinola Sanya.
Sanya, who delivered Adewole’s welcome address, stated that the University of Ibadan was pleased to honour King Sunny Ade as his immense contribution to African music and Yoruba music in particular cannot be contested.
He said: “King Sunny Ade is one of our best in Africa.
“He is our ambassador and Africa cannot thank him enough.
“KSA cannot cease to be celebrated because he is an icon, a legend.
“As a university, our way of celebrating him is to bring eminent scholars to discuss and dissect King Sunny Ade’s music and give his music an academic analysis.
“King Sunny Ade is a prolific entertainer who has not rested on his oars.
“In this spirit of celebration, the university has rolled out a long list of celebration and the Institute of African Studies will be holding an exhibition and many other programmes have been lined up to celebrate KSA.”
Sanya also stated that the University of Ibadan will collaborate with King Sunny Ade to promote and develop the ethno-musicology programme at the Institute of African studies.
He added: “University of Ibadan has two programmes in ethno-musicology: the Master /MPhil/PHD programme at the Institute of African Studies (this programme has produced more than 15 PhD students).
“The Bachelor of Arts programme in Music will soon kick off, with the first batch of students to be admitted soon.
“My office is open to contributions and collaboration with King Sunny Ade for the all round development of this programme.
“Our interest is to produce graduates that will not only be employees but also employers of labour.”
In his response, King Sunny Ade thanked the University of Ibadan for honouring him.
He said: “I would like to thank you for this great honour and privilege to be in your midst.
I would like to thank the Almighty God and state categorically here that in Yorubaland, you just don’t speak, you have to seek permission.
“Your home is the best.
“If your home backs you up, you will succeed in whatever you do.
“I continue to say a big thank you to UI and this is to let you know that my best is yet to come.”
Eminent scholars who presented papers on King Sunny Ade included Oloye Lekan Alabi. His paper was titled: The KSA I know.
There was also a power point presentation by the curator, Tunde Odulade, titled: KSA in the past, present and the future.
The second paper was delivered by Prof. Isaac Tunji Vidal from the University of Lagos while Prof Olawale Albert, the Director of the Institute of African studies, presented the third paper titled: KSA’s creativity in Aiye ogun; aiye ote.
Also Dr. ‘Sola Olorunyomi presented the fourth paper titled: Ijinle through Pop.
The fifth paper presentation was done by Dr. Kayode Samuel titled: The Ecumenical KSA.
There were performances by the favoured girls and the Alajotas musical troupes to spice up the event.
Sanya presented the Distinguished Personality Award to King Sunny Ade on behalf of the University.
Prof. Bolanle Awe and other literary and musical personalities were present at the event.
The Vote of thanks was delivered by eminent scholar of musicology, Prof. Musunmola Omibiyi-Obidike.
King Sunny Ade with his band thrilled the guests to an electrifying live musical performance, which threw the guests into a frenzy dancing mood.