Grammy award-winning singer Burna Boy has paid tribute to his grandfather, veteran broadcaster and music critic Benson Idonije, describing him as the greatest man in the world during his 90th birthday celebration in Lagos.
The celebration on Sunday brought together family members, friends, music legends and media professionals who gathered to honour Idonije’s life and career spanning broadcasting, journalism and music criticism.
Guests at the event included Bose Ogulu, Reuben Abati, Biodun Shobanjo, Bisi Olatilo, John Momoh, Soni Irabor, Olumide Iyanda, Yeni Kuti, Theo Lawson, Jahman Anikulapo, Femi Odugbemi, Steve Ayorinde and Lekan Animashaun, also known as Baba Ani.
Performances were delivered by Kunle Ayo, Yinka Davies, Gloria Ibru and Dede Mabiaku among others.
Speaking during a toast, Burna Boy said: “Hello everyone, and thank you all for coming out tonight. I’m not great at speeches, and I did not know I would be doing this, so please bear with me.
“We are here to celebrate my granddad on his 90th birthday. The prayer is we all get to live that long. This is not an ordinary man or ordinary birthday. This is the greatest man in the world, as far as I’m concerned. And this is the reason why we have a lot of people here today. I am forever indebted to him and grateful to him. So this is just a way of, you know, and I know I’m not the only one, so this is a way for us to come together and celebrate the greatest man in the world today on his 90th birthday. Yeah, this is a toast to the greatest man world. My hero, my granddad. Everybody raise your glass. Thank you. All right. To the greatest man in the world. May you live long to see our grandchildren. Thank you very much for being in our lives and for creating us. This is to you Uncle Benji. Cheers.”
Born on June 13, 1936 in Otuo, Idonije is widely regarded as one of Nigeria’s pioneering music journalists and broadcasters. He began his career in the 1950s and later became one of the founding broadcasters at Radio Nigeria 2, now known as Metro FM.
He is also known for his close work with Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, where he managed the Koola Lobitos band during its early years before Afrobeat fully developed.
Idonije documented his experiences in his book Dis Fela Sef: The Untold Legends of Fela Anikulapo Kuti and has remained one of the most respected voices in Nigerian music journalism.
Over the years, he has been recognised for his contributions to broadcasting and journalism, including honours for his role in shaping music programming and documentation in Nigeria.
