Otunba Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade, will be honoured during the 3-in-1 event organised in memory of the late entertainment journalist, Olu Makinde, who died 10 years ago.
According to the Ambassador Yemi Farounbi-led Planning Committee, the legendary juju musician will be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award during the launch of Makinde’s biography authored by his journalist son, Tade, and holding at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, on February 16, 2025.
KSA will be recognised alongside other personalities like the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi (III), late Arisekola Alao-Azeez, late Adeseun Ogundoyin, and late Akanni Aluko – all who would be conferred with post-humous awards.
The book, ‘Olu Makinde: Master of His Game’ contains details of how a music competition organised in 1977 completely altered the trajectory of King Sunny Ade’s life.
Speaking in 2012 during the 35th anniversary of Sunny Ade’s reign as King of Juju Music, Makinde said three things that confirmed him as the people’s choice were good songs, constant praising of God in his albums, and fans’ loyalty. “God has kept him (KSA) on top. His fan base is massive. He must have had over 100 million fans all over the world before the advent of social media. He is a likeable person, even though he has his own flaws like everyone else,” he stated.
Also commenting, Barrister Gbenga Makinde, secretary of the committee, noted: “He (Sunny Ade) deserves even the highest honour a country can bestow on an individual, because my father said he and Fela have done more image laundering for Nigeria than many others. We will do this with the hope that the government would consider honouring both artistes.”
Dr Badmus Olagoke emerges the Chief Launcher of the book, while Engr (Dr) Dotun Sanusi is the Chairman of the Day.