Music Icons Honour King Sunny Ade on His 79th Birthday

The Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN) and the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) have paid glowing tributes to the legendary Nigerian musician Sunday Adegeye, popularly known as King Sunny Ade, as he celebrates his 79th birthday today .

Leaders from the two associations described the juju music icon as a living legend whose work has profoundly promoted African music on the global stage . Pretty Okafor, the National President of PMAN, praised King Sunny Ade for his humility, hard work, and his role in inspiring generations of artists. He highlighted the musician’s ongoing support for the association and wished him more years of peaceful celebration .

Abubakar Yakubu, the National Secretary of the AGN, commended the star as a beacon of professionalism and an African music ambassador. He noted that Ade’s timeless music appeals to all generations and urged upcoming artists to draw inspiration from his successful career trajectory .

Born on 22nd September 1946 in Ondo State, King Sunny Ade is recognised as one of the first African pop musicians to achieve international acclaim . His landmark achievements include a Grammy nomination for his 1980 album “Syncro System,” which made him the first Nigerian artist ever to be nominated for the award. He has since been inducted into both the Hard Rock Café Hall of Fame and the Headies Hall of Fame .