Chairman of the Edo State chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria(PMAN), Ehis Oboh(aka Oligbese) has reaffirmed that he is more interested in ensuring that members of the association live a life of abundance than in engaging in any squabble on who leads the association.
He made the affirmation while handing over documents of a piece of land the association acquired for a visually impaired veteran musician, ‘Professor’ Richard Ugiagbe last weekend.
The handover process which was witnessed by a horde of the association’s members was supervised by Prince Omo Lawal Osula, the Arala of Benin, a patron of the association.
In his address on the occasion, Oligbese promised that the land gift to Richard Ugiagbe is just one of the enduring plans he has to uplift the living standard of musicians, most especially the aged ones, most of whom have practically nothing to show for their years of toil in the music industry.
He appealed to other musicians, who mean well for the association, to join hands with him to move the association forward. He asserted that his overriding interest is to ensure that members benefit from their toil.
Oligbese stated that on his assumption of office the first project that he had in mind to implement was how to uplift ‘Professor’ Ugiagbe. He gave praises to God for answering his prayers in that regard, adding that it is a sad thing that a man like the artiste whose works are hit and enjoy massive airplay till date does not have a roof over his head.
Going forward he thanked the donor of the land, Pastor Nosa Ighodaro, for his gesture. He appealed to other good hearted people of the state to reach out to the association in whatever way so as to ensure that more of its members also benefit from such welfarist package.
In his remarks Prince Osula gave kudos to Oligbese for his yeoman efforts in uplifting the living standards of members of the association, adding that a man like Ugiagbe should not be abandoned in his hour of need.
While showing his appreciation, ‘Professor’ Ugiagbe thanked Oligbese and the PMAN for the labour of love. He disclosed that his predicament was accentuated by the demise of the proprietor of the defunct Sanu Olu Records.
“I had a good time with Shanu Olu Records when the label was active with its owner alive. But the moment he died everything changed. While alive he promised to make me a millionaire and was always interested in my welfare.
“His death changed everything. Other record labels couldn’t match his honesty and goodwill. So there was nothing I could do than to let fate take its course,” Ugiagbe said.
Elvis Ahanor, the Public Relations Officer((PRO) of the association charged other members who are sitting on the fence to endeavour to join the ‘moving train’ so that they too can start to benefit from the goodies.
He disclosed that other plans in the offing is the setting up of a befitting secretariat for the association and also a studio. He warned traducers who derive joy in spreading hate speech on the association and its leadership to desist. He thanked the national President of the association, Hajia Dangaji for providing a solid support base for the advancement of the association.
Omas Perry, who represented Hajia Dangaji at the occasion, praised Oligbese for giving the members of the association a visionary leadership. He urged the members to be united in ensuring that the good tidings continue.
