By Uche Amunike
Veteran Nigerian musician, Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi has lost his son, Olayinka Obey Fabiyi, who died, July 28, 2022 at the age of 48, from alcohol abuse. This made his father launch a new ministry that will not only stop the youths from engaging in drug addiction, but also, massively educate and enlighten them about the danger of alcoholism as well.
Speaking, through a statement issued by him and signed by the General Manager of his music group, Mr Tunji Odunmbaku, the 80year Old Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi explained that he was aware of his son‘s addiction to alcohol and that he made serious efforts to see that he stopped alcoholism, but all his efforts proved fruitless.
In a statement sent to newsmen, the octogenarian said that he was starting a New Ministry which he named ‘Freedom from Alcoholism and Drug Addiction Ministry, FADAM, adding that it was his way of joining forces with the war against drug addiction and alcoholism, especially among the youths, both here in the country and in the diaspora.
Hear him: ‘The doctors called me six months ago to inform me that Yinka had less than six months to live.It was very painful and bad news that a father must not hear about his son. Since then, l went back to the Holy Spirit to teach me what to do and the result of my communication with the Holy Spirit is the launching of this ministry’.
‘I have received several condolence messages from all and sundry. l appreciate everyone for their love and concern. l also thank Yinka’s friends for their efforts and support.’
‘I thank my eldest son, Shina, for ‘coordinating’ all his younger brothers and sisters, for extra and special care for Yinka till the end of his life. I also thank the pastors, elders, and the entire Decross family for everything’
‘Once again, I appreciate all condolences, but let us rather turn further condolences to prayer support of this new ministry to help those who are in pain of alcoholism and drug addiction. Get out of alcoholism, get out of drugs. Jesus loves you’.
He reiterated that FADAM will also be an avenue to help parents and families that have children that are drug addicts and alcoholics , as well as the youth, so that their lives will turn around for the better and make them better citizens in the country.
According to him, he was away in the far away United Kingdom for a short vacation when he got the news about his sons demise. He has however, given his fans the assurance that the death of his son will not in any way, affect his pending performance engagements.
Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi, expressed his appreciation to pastors, elders and the entire Decross family for all the support they showed him at his time of grief, but however appealed to all to ‘turn further condolences to prayer support of this new ministry, to help those who are in pain of alcoholism and drug addiction’.
