We will give Prince Adekunle befitting burial —Shina Peters

Music icon, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, has cleared the air on the news doing the rounds in some  quarters that the late Adeyinka Adekunle, popularly known as  General Prince Adekunle, died a poor musician.

Speaking with R, Obey, who described the news of the veteran musician’s death as shocking, added that the claim was not true, just as he urged people to ignore such rumour.

“Why would anyone say he was a poor musician? To everyone in life and according to the scripture: there is time and season for everyone. We all pass through that. I will not agree he died as a poor man. He was not a beggar and he was very active in church activities; I know his pastor,” Obey added.

Recalling his last moments with the late musician, the miliki maestro said that Prince Adekunle, paid him a visit before his trip to the United States in July and that they both chatted as usual, as well as had a nice time.

“He was full of life and we talked often while he was in the hospital and when he also returned home. He is my brother in two ways; he is my brother in the Lord and a brother from the same soil, Abeokuta. His demise is shocking to me, but we cannot help it when God says our time is up on earth. We are all on a journey on heart and our home is in Heaven. I thank God for the life he lived and his music that has touched many lives around the world. His legacy will live on, especially with the music stars like Sir Shina Peter, Segun Adewale, among other musicians that passed through him. I pray God will console his children and his family,” he added.

Obey noted that he would miss their close relationship, adding “Prince Adekunle came into limelight adopting my style of music for many years and his first record was about me, before he later fashioned his own Sakara brand of music. I never saw anything wrong in him redefining my songs, because he was like a brother to me.”

In the same vein, 777 crooner, Sir Shina Peters, who told R that he was yet to get over the shock of the death of his former boss, said: “I thank God for his life,  because he was a great influence to the development of the industry and he left a good legacy behind, especially people like me; Segun Adewale and Dayo Kujoore. I pray his gentle soul rest in peace. During my tutelage, he was very lively, jovial, accommodating and encouraged us. He was an exemplary and worthy leader.”

He also hinted that he and his colleagues, who were trained by the deceased had commenced plans to give him a befitting burial.

Prince Adekunle, aged 74, who died last Monday after a brief illness, reigned with his brand of music in the 60s and 70s and also trained other popular musicians.