As part of efforts to recognise those who contributed to national development, Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM), in collaboration with Mountain Top Conservatory of Music, recently honoured foremost author and producer of folk and religious songs, Pa Dayo Dedeke, with a posthumous concert.

Held at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries headquarters in Onike, Lagos, the concert attracted high networth guests, music aficionados and lovers of folksongs, including the General Overseer of MFM, Professor Daniel Olukoya, and his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Shade Olukoya.

The colourful event had performances of 26 folksongs of Dedeke from Mountaintop Conservatory singers, which showcased, as well as cultural display of some of his works, and presentation of Beulah Quartet to the admiration of guests.

The General Overseer described Dedeke as a man who considered the development of music in Nigeria as very important to nation building.

Dadeke, who died in 1994, composed the popular Ogun State Anthem (Ise Ya, Omo Ogun Ise Ya). He also composed, transcribed and arranged a lot of folk, secular and religious songs, which were published in a volume, titled, Ma Gbagbe Ile, by the Oxford University Press in London in 1963.

The volume has been used for radio and school broadcast all over Nigeria, likewise, some are household songs such as, Iwe Kiko and Ise Oluwa ko le baje.

Dadeke composed the popular song, Ise Agbe Ni Ise Ile Wa, which promotes agriculture, in 1953, to commemorate the inauguration of the Farmers’ Cooperative Society in the Western Region of Nigeria.

In 1976, he composed the popular Ogun State anthem, Ise Ya. He also initiated the carol service in Ogun State, and was the state’s first music director. He held position until his death on May 18, 1994. Towards the end of his civil service career in the Ministry of Education, he was appointed the first Ogun State Liaison Officer in Lagos

While appreciating the MFM’s commitment and contributions to music and music education, Ogun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, commended the church for this honour done to the late Egba man.

She described late Dedeke as a hardworking musicologist, who did a lot in the music space and whose works are worthy of recognition.

Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Mr. Olatokunbo Joseph Talabi, also described the late Dedeke as missioner with a purpose.

His words: “Fundamentally, you will notice that Pa Dedeke was more of a missioner with a clear purpose. We all grew up to see the works of Pa Dedeke, there is hardly any Yoruba family that has not put its lips on Pa Dedeke’s songs.”

In the same vein, Alake of Egbaland, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo lll, who was a student of the late Dedeke, described him as a great, devoted musicologist, a folklorist, whose songs taught morals, discipline and love of God as well as rejuvenated the soul.

Alake said the posthumous concert “was a good honour.”

Speaking on behalf of the family, the deceased’s daughter,

According to his daughter, former permanent secretary Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Mrs Yemi Dedeke-Olanrewaju, her father was a selfless, unassuming musicologist, who used music to communicate.

She described her late father as a music icon who inculcated in his children, good norms and values.

While appreciating the church for putting up the music concert in honour of her father, noting, “Baba has left his mark in the nation’s music industry.”