Adewale Ayuba, the ace Fuji musician, has revealed why he relocated to America and converted to Christianity.
In a
chat with Teju Babyface on Tuesday, Ayuba spoke about his new life in the
United States, his religion, and his music career.
He
disclosed that he and his band member travelled to America for their three-month
summer show in 1995.
Ayuba
said they could not return to Nigeria after their show ended due to threats
from Sani Abacha, the late military head of state.
The
singer said he was threatened after he released an album advocating for the
freedom of political detainees, particularly the late Moshood Abiola.
Ayuba
said after Abacha’s demise, he returned to Nigeria to perform at the Benson and
Hedges Concert in 1998.
The
singer said while in the US, he enrolled in school and completed his
documentation to become an American citizen. He said he also met his wife in
America.
“I left
for America with my full band members in 1995 for a summer show and others. We
came to America for about three months and then returned to Nigeria,” he said.
“I
returned to Nigeria in 1998 when Abacha died. The three years I stayed in
America were by the grace of God because he is a good planner.
“When I
was in America, I realised that I could only perform shows on weekends. My
Mondays to Fridays were free. So, I enrolled in school. That was where I met my
wife.
“After
that, I took part in a lot of activities. Doing so was like building another
foundation in America. That was not easy. From there, I completed my
documentation and became an American citizen.
“I
don’t see myself continuing in Fuji music, I believe I have done well. This is
America, there’s more to explore in life, trusting that God has a plan.”
Speaking
about his decision to convert from Islam to Christianity, Ayuba revealed that he
was unable to pray in Arabic.
This,
he said, prevented him from practising Islam, adding that he would always
invite clerics to pray on his behalf.
He also
said he was inspired by verses from the Bible quoting Jesus Christ as saying “He
is the way, truth, and life”.
Ayuba
said he prefers to worship where he “feels closest to God,” adding that his
choice to become a Christian “brings me happiness”.
“People
claim Ayuba is a Muslim. Have they seen me in the mosque? If I were practising
Islam, wouldn’t someone have noticed,” he said.
“Why is
this an issue? Can they let me be? They say I should pray five times daily, but
I’m not. My mother is an Alhaja, and although my father never went to Mecca, we
practice Islam at home.
“So, my
name is Ayub, which is Job in the Bible. It’s not that being a Muslim is good
or bad. When I attempted to practice it, I had to summon some Alfas to help me
communicate with God because I didn’t understand Arabic.
“I
questioned whether I should continue despite all that God has done for me,
needing others to intercede on my behalf.
“There
isn’t an album of mine where I haven’t referenced Muslim words. We all worship
God. To me, religion is akin to education.
“I
chose Jesus Christ because he proclaimed, ‘I am the truth, the way, and the
life’. This is my personal choice, and it brings me happiness.
“Many
of my band members are Muslims, and we pray together. I was unable to attend
Arabic school due to my profession. I prefer to worship where I feel closest to
my God.”
Ayuba
began his music career as a teenager and released his first album, ‘Ibere
(Beginning)’ in 1986.
The
59-year-old singer is famous for albums such as ‘Bubble’, ‘Turn Me On’, ‘’Ijo
Fuji’, and ‘Koloba Koloba’.
In
2015, Ayuba said the day he became a Christian was the happiest day of his
life.
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