King Sunny Ade's Memorable 1981 Performance in Mopa

In 1981, King Sunny Ade, a renowned juju music artist, was scheduled to perform at a wake-keep in Mopa, organized by Chief Silas Bandele Daniyan for his mother, Mrs. Abigail Oni Daniyan. The event was highly anticipated, especially for local youths who idolized Ade.

Chief Daniyan had a distinguished background, having served as private secretary to Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Nigeria's governor-general from 1960 to 1963, and later as managing director of the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank from 1964 to 1976. Despite a strict curfew imposed by Chief Rowland Osaoloro Oludoyi, the author's grandfather, a fan of Ade, allowed the author and older cousins to attend.

Unfortunately, a rainstorm forced them to return home early, missing Ade's performance, which occurred past midnight after the storm. This event was pivotal for Ade, who was born on September 22, 1946, in Osogbo, and it contributed to his growing fame.