When Ebenezer Obey gave back to his community

The quiet town of Idogo under the Yewa South Local Government area, Ogun State, turned busy for three days  recently as the people trooped out to be beneficiaries of the initiative of one of their own, the music legend, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, who they described as a proud son of the community.


The programme organised by the Ebenezer Obey Evangelistic Ministries in conjunction with the GIEAM Organisation tagged: “Outreach and Support Programme for Widows and Old People” was an extension of the 74th birthday celebrations of the music icon and also an avenue to touch lives.

Widows and aged people who  received food items support and gifts from the Miliki maestro, on the opening day of the event at the Decross Gospel Mission church, Idogo, chanted praises and also prayed for the initiator.

Aside distribution of foods and clothing materials, the people of the community also had the opportunity to know their health status as well as received free treatment and drugs. Professor of Medicine from the University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Professor Olufemi Adediran led ten other medical experts from notable government hospitals including: LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), among others, to attend to people at the town hall of the community on the second and third day.

According to Adediran, who is also a ‘son of the soil’, the initiative was vital and unique for the development of Idogo town, while he also noted that the people indeed benefited from Obey’s large heart, as they were cured from their ailments and enlightened on how to improve on their health status.

“The initiative is vital because it is a community of farmers that is not privileged with improved health facilities and I think this is why the initiator decided to assist his people health wise. We screened for high blood pressure, blood sugar, diabetes and HIV and also counseled them and as a result of this we were able to detect ailments that are treatable, such as infections. We also administered drugs for people that were diagnosed of hypertension and diabetes,” he added.

The Onidogo of Idogo, Oba Saheed Olubiyi, also expressed his delight on the philanthropic gesture, saying “the entire community is grateful to Evangelist Obey for having his people at heart. I also want to use this medium to urge the sons and daughters of Idogo to take a cue from him so as to develop the community among its peers. I also thank and urge Governor Ibikunle Amosun not to relent in developing Idogo.”

Representative of the project partner, GIEAM Organisation, Mr Theophanous Lawal, said that the NGO was enthused to support the music icon because of the fact that their missions tally, adding that, “We are committed to be part of the initiative, especially with the fact that it has to do with affecting people’s lives positively.”

Evangelist Obey said that he didn’t see the gesture as a task, but as a means to create a sense of belonging for his source and also execute the responsibilities of an Evangelist. “I grew up and schooled here and everything about Ebenezer Obey started here. Though, I have been extending my hands of fellowship to my people, this time, we felt we should attend to people’s health. I am happy that the community also embraced it. more importantly, this initiative has opened my eyes to more initiatives to affect humanity positively and I have vowed not to rest nor stop until I achieve them,” he added.

Obey, who also emphasised that the development was one of the major visions of the Sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo in ensuring people enjoys free education and social amenities, while he enjoined governments at all levels not to relent in their effort in achieving these goals.