Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu/
Juju Music maestro and Nigerian King of World Beats, Chief Sunday Adeniyi Adegeye aka King Sunny Ade (KSA), has urged theatre-artistes under the umbrella of ANTP to uphold the honor and legacy of the founder of the Association, Chief Hubert Ogunde.
He spoke on Tuesday when the Board of Trustees and Central Working Committee of the Association of Nigeria Theatre-arts Practitioners (ANTP) made him a Grand Patron of the Association.
The Theatre-Artistes did this during a courtesy visit to the music legend in his Ondo home.
The ANTP President, Prince Adewale Elesho, appreciated KSA for his unconditional support for the association over the years. He told the music giant that ANTP is still existing and waxing stronger. He announced the Association’s decision to make KSA a Grand Patron.
King Sunny Ade welcomed the ANTP wholeheartedly. He accepted the honor of being its Grand Patron and promised to continue his support for the Association.
While commending the elders of ANTP, Chief Lere Paimo, Chief Oyewole Olowomojuore, and the President, Prince Adewale Elesho among others, for their life-long contributions to ANTP, KSA urged the up and coming artistes to always strive to uphold the memorable good deeds of the founder of the Association, Chief Hubert Ogunde. He urged them to write their names in gold as he did in the industry. He said legends like the late Hubert Ogunde, Moses Olaiya, current BOT Chairman, Eda Onileola, Baba Gebu, and a host of achievers should be emulated.
The BOT Chairman, Chief Lere Paimo (Eda Onileola) thanked KSA for always being there for him and ANTP. He cited KSA’s role at his 80th birthday, being on the bandstand and making the celebration a memorable one.
Highlights of the visit included the presentation of an oil-on-canvas painting of KSA to the music legend by the Association, and the blessing of ANTP’s new vehicle by KSA. King Sunny Ade received the gift with joy and pledged his continued support for the Association.
He was also invited to bless the new ANTP bus. He did this to the satisfaction of the theatre-artistes who chorused ‘Amen’ as he prayed for them and their new vehicle.
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