King Sunny Ade’s 70th Birthday and 50 years on stage: KSA’s guitar auctioned for N52.1m

Lagos —A vintage fender guitar played by Nigeria’s Juju music
icon, King Sunny Ade,KSA, was  auctioned and sold for N52.1
million, Sunday, at a musical concert that climaxed  the month-
long celebration of the musician’s 70th birthday anniversary.
The auctioning of the glittering guitar which was masterfully
designed by award-winning artist,  Victor Ehikamenor was done
by  Dr. Jogun Onabanjo, Certified Auctioneer and Chief Executive
of Onabanjo & Onabanjo and Company. It was the highlight of
the historic concert,  ‘Sunny on Sunday’, which commemorated
the music legend’s 70th birthday anniversary, which held
Sunday,  at Temple Balmoral Marquee,  Federal Palace Hotel
Victoria Island, Lagos.
Dr. Onabanjo started the bidding from N9 million  and a very
competitive bid followed closing at N52.1m. While the bid was in
progress, the asking price for the guitar doubled to N17m under
two minutes before exceeding the N50m mark in 15 minutes,
leaving many in the crowd surprised. The winner of the auction
is yet to be revealed.
An ecstatic Ehikhamenor said, “When you are given the
opportunity to add a line to the history of a legend, you’d better
ask God to take your hand and guide your senses. I’ve loved
King Sunny Ade’s music for the longest time and his rhythm is
one of the best companion in my studio when working”.
Speaking earlier about the guitar, KSA said, “Talking about my
guitar which would be auctioned on the night to make the grand
finale of my show, that piece is a part of the art. For the guitar to
go into the art is a very good place for it to be. It is a symbol of
art for me. I didn’t make it but it was for me and having
possessed it, it should be an art piece that will remain for life. My
guitar is my baby”.
The event, put together by Temple Management Company, was
hosted by the comic Jenifa’s Diary duo of Funke Akindele
alongside Lolo Omotunde  and comedian Tee A.
Described as ‘a nuclear show’ by KSA himself, the show kicked
off on a novelty note, when  a traditional troupe from Ondo State
opened the show with cultural displays, paying homage to the
music legend. Thereafter, winner of 2015 MTN Project Fame
contest, Jeff mounted the stage to usher in the king of the night.
Nikky Laoye, an afro-beat musician gave her best with pulsating
tunes. With very electrifying dance steps reminiscent of Fela
Kuti’s Africa 70 dancers, she thrilled the audience. Performing
Sunny Ade’s timeless tune, ‘ Kile le o Eja so ’ to the admiration of
the audience, as KSA joined her on stage to relive old times,
earning a thunderous ovation from from the crowd.
Another highpoint of the night was the elegant stallion, Onyeka
Onwenu’s performance alongside the celebrator, KSA. On stage,
the music icons rekindled an old passion, performing their
evergreen duet, ‘ Wait for Me ’. The expectation from the crowd
was so high that most of them were off their seats.
Onyeka eventually dramatised it by starting off with a younger
male vocalist for a stanza before Sunny Ade stood up and walked
down to the stage. In a swift wave of disapproval, the youthful
vocalist vanished and KSA paired it off with her, which drew loud
ovation that raised the roof.
Dare performed his song ‘prayer’ for starters and subsequently
played some of Sunny Ade’s songs to pay him homage as his
mentor in the music industry.
Other acts that performed at the night were Omawumi, Shina
Peters, Tiwa Savage, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Iyanya, Jeff and Tyson Noir,
while special guest artiste, Awilo Logomba thrilled the audience
with his favourite tunes.
The show, had dignitaries and Juju music enthusiasts from all
walks of life in attendance. Among them were Babatunde
Fashola, Minister of Power, Works and Housing and former Lagos
State governor; Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information
and Culture former deputy governor of Lagos State, Princess
Sarah Sosan.
Also, in attendance were Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, and
business mogul, Femi Otedola, chairman of Forte Oil Plc. His
Royal majesty, Oba Saheed Elegushi  was also at the event.