Lagos, Nigeria – The Nigerian music and evangelical community was thrown into confusion on Monday after viral reports falsely announced the death of legendary juju musician and evangelist, Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi. The disturbing news spread rapidly across various social media platforms, triggering widespread mourning messages, only for the music icon himself to release a video this morning confirming that he is alive and well.
“I am alive. I am in good health. Please ignore the fake news,” Obey calmly declared, reassuring his fans and followers across Nigeria and the diaspora.
The 82-year-old musical legend, known for timeless classics such as “Miliki Express,” “Board Members,” and “The Horse, the Man and His Son,” expressed concern over the irresponsible misuse of digital platforms to disseminate lies, especially against respected public figures.
The Anatomy of a Viral Lie
The false news of Obey’s death, which originated from unidentified social media accounts, quickly gained traction on WhatsApp broadcasts, Facebook posts, and TikTok videos—many of them manipulated to appear like credible media announcements. Within hours, it was trending across Nigeria, drawing tributes from well-meaning but misinformed fans.
This is not the first time Nigerian celebrities have been targeted in such death hoaxes. In the past, artists like Onyeka Onwenu, Pete Edochie, Olu Jacobs, and even Obey himself have been falsely declared dead by anonymous digital mischief-makers.
“This is a wicked act. A man who has only blessed lives with music and godly inspiration does not deserve this kind of attack,” said Pastor Joseph Adebayo, a long-time associate of Obey.
Ebenezer Obey: A Living Legend
Born in 1942, Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi is not only a titan of Nigerian music but also a revered gospel evangelist and mentor to younger generations. His career, spanning over six decades, helped define the golden era of juju music. In later years, he transitioned into gospel ministry, touching lives with both melody and message.
His influence remains towering, with awards, national honors, and global recognition to his name. That such a figure could become the subject of false death rumors underscores the recklessness now endemic to social media spaces.
The Legal and Digital Battle Against Fake News
Nigeria, like many countries, is facing a rising epidemic of digital misinformation. The spread of false news—particularly involving death hoaxes—can have serious emotional, psychological, and even public safety consequences.
Though Nigeria’s Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act 2015 criminalizes fake news and cyberbullying, enforcement has been weak, and perpetrators are rarely apprehended.
“The government must empower the National Orientation Agency, Police Cybercrime Units, and ICT agencies to monitor viral content, trace anonymous originators, and apply penalties,” said Dr. Hadiza Mohammed, media regulation expert.
International Precedents: How Other Nations Act
Other countries have developed proactive strategies to combat fake news:
Germany: Passed the Network Enforcement Act (NetzDG), which mandates social media platforms to remove “clearly illegal content” within 24 hours or face fines of up to €50 million.
Singapore: Introduced the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA), allowing authorities to order corrections or removals of false content and prosecute repeat offenders.
India: Recently partnered with WhatsApp to launch a fake news fact-checking helpline, while also passing stricter digital content rules under its IT Act.
Nigeria can adopt similar policies to monitor, report, and prosecute repeat offenders who peddle fake death reports, misinformation, and cyber defamation.
Recommendations: Protecting Public Figures and the Public Trust
To curb this growing menace, the following measures are proposed:
1. Enforce stricter cybercrime laws with active monitoring of viral content.
2. Establish digital verification systems for public figures—e.g., verified accounts and emergency debunking channels.
3. Promote digital literacy campaigns, especially among youths, on the dangers of spreading unverified content.
4. Encourage media houses to fact-check viral content before publication or syndication.
5. Introduce penalties for platforms that repeatedly host false content without moderation.
Conclusion: A Call for Digital Responsibility
Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi is alive—and thankfully, strong enough to personally counter the malicious rumor about his death. But the same cannot be said for many who have suffered emotional trauma or reputational damage from fake news.
As Nigeria enters a critical era of technological advancement and digital dominance, it must also evolve its ethics, laws, and enforcement mechanisms to match. The youth must be taught: freedom of expression is not freedom to lie.
For now, the Miliki maestro lives on, and his message of peace, wisdom, and godliness must be amplified louder than the noise of lies.
Dr. G. Fraser. MFR
The National Patriots.
Headlinenews.news Special Report.
