Sanwo-Olu Hails King Sunny Ade at 80, Celebrates Six Decades of Excellence
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
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has celebrated veteran Juju musician, Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade (KSA), on the occasion of his 80th birthday.
Sanwo-Olu described the music legend as an elder statesman, community leader and cultural ambassador whose career had helped project Nigeria’s rich musical heritage to the global community.
The governor, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Gboyega Akosile, on Tuesday in Lagos, said Adegeye had remained an influential figure in Nigeria’s creative industry for more than six decades.
He said the Juju maestro had used his music and intellect to promote unity, spread joy and advance values that contribute to a stronger society.
“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,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor noted that Adegeye was among the African musicians who helped take Nigerian music beyond the country’s shores and earn international recognition.
According to him, the musician’s accomplishments have brought honour to Nigeria and contributed to the growth and international visibility of the country’s creative sector.
“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.
Sanwo-Olu further acknowledged the enduring influence of Adegeye’s body of work, describing him as a reference point for successive 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,” the governor said.
King Sunny Ade was born on Sept. 22, 1946, in Ondo.
The celebrated musician has spent more than six decades in the music industry and remains one of Nigeria’s most internationally recognised practitioners of Juju music.
His career has contributed significantly to the development, preservation and global promotion of Nigerian traditional music.
