Gbenga Adeboye: Read About Death, Resurrection, Final Exit Of Funwontan after 17 Years

By Olorungbotemi



Born on September 30, 1959 at Ode-Omu, Ayedaade Local Government Area of Osun State, the late Gbenga Adeboye began his successful career as a Radio Presenter (Freelance) at Radio Lagos where he unveiled a unique programme known as Funwontan in 1981.



       

        Late Gbenga Adeboye

Although Gbenga was christened Elijah Oluwagbemiga Adeboye, only those close to him during his lifetime could know the names and after his show hit limelight, the humour merchant began to be endued with so many names, including titles of Alhaji, Pastor and Oluwo with a view to unite all religious divisions in the country.






Some of the names he got from his good works were; Funwontan, Alhaji Pastor Oluwo, Abefe, Jengbetiele, Itu baba Ita, Alaye mi Gbengulo, One Man Battalion, Jengbentiele, Apagunpote 1, Abefe, Olayinka, Omo Baba Overseer, Awo itu, Baba Ita, Awo Baba Laisi Abesupinle.

Later on, clips from the improvised and mostly impromptu Funwomtan shows were cut out and put in nine albums. Some of them include Orisunkunnu 1 and 2, Ph. D Beetle, Funwontan 1 & 2, Oro lati ori ite mimo 1 & 2, Versatility, Aiyetoro, Controversy, Supremacy and Ijinle.



Gbenga Adeboye was, during his lifetime, a man of many talents. His craft covered nearly every aspect of the entertainment industry and he excelled in all of them. He was a comedian (he pioneered stand-up comedy) who could make people’s eyes water with his jokes. He was a musician whose songs of ‘unusual genres’ contained in depth lyrics and melody that caused several people to genuflect.






Even more, Gbenga was an activist, orator, mimic, humorist, entertainer and master of ceremony. It was quite impressive how he was able to use his talent so well within a short time. Better still, through his words, jokes and actions, Gbenga addressed societal and political ills within the society.


Apart from his many achievements, Gbenga Adeboye also impacted the lives of many entertainers. He was not a lone ranger, rather, he embraced many people and made them as great as he was. For one, it is impossible to mention the person of Yinka Ayefele without talking about Adeboye.




Before Gbenga finally died on April 30, 2003, he made certain controversial statements in a recorded tape. He said that God had called him to glory at a point in his life. According to him, the purpose of his death at that time was to be shown several mysterious things by the Divine.




Gbenga claimed that he was later sent back to earth by God because he had to complete an unfinished assignment. As if he knew about his imminent death, the entertainer requested that he be buried with the Bible and a hymn book.


Like he was born on a Wednesday, September 30, 1959; began his education on Wednesday, had his first trip to America on Wednesday, and his first radio programme on a Wednesday, Gbenga Adeboye also died on Wednesday, April 30, 2003 and was buried on Wednesday, May 14, 2003.

(EyewitnessReporter)