I Will Walk AgainI Will Walk AgainTop Gospel singer, Evangelist Yinka Aiyefele recently retuned from his trip to the United States of America, where he had a swell time entertaining the Yankees and of course, his Nigerian fans.
But before his arrival news filtered round that he was detained in America over drug related issue. This was what prompted Deola Adeoti to corner him in his residence in Ibadan for this exclusive interview, about his journey, drug trafficking allegations and many issues you are dying to read. Please enjoy the interview.
How was your America trip?
Splendid! I got to the United States of America on the 24th of July to the state of Georgia. We were received at the airport in Atlanta by huge number of my fans in America. We had series of shows, toured about 28 states out of the 52 states in America. And to the glory of God, Aiyefele was honoured with 12 awards.
We had about 36 shows because some states requested for two or three shows. One of member of my band was presented a car, I don't even know the name of the car, he was presented with the car keys in Florida, the man's name is Yati, the one that makes background echo in my music.
I was opportuned to visit the White House, the president was not around, I would have loved to meet with George Bush but unfortunately, they are in election season so I was unable to met with him. Anyway, we had a nice trip.
There were speculations that you were detained in America over drug trafficking?
I have also been hearing that before I left America for Nigeria that I was probably arrested and jailed for one reason or the other, but I want to inform you that Aiyefele was not in anyway harassed or arrested by any law enforcement agent whether here in Nigeria or in the United States of America.
And I am happy to tell you that all my band members who went with me are here in Nigeria, we all came back together. Let me also add that people residing in America will be able to testify that nothing of such happened to me.
I don't even know the colour.
I've never in life seen what drugs looks like. Never in my life. I don't know where they got this news about drugs from, I've never in my life seen it before and I don't even pray to see it, either in black, white powder or whatever, I am contented with what I am doing. I am satisfied with my career. At least, I must confess that I am blessed and I am very comfortable with it so if I am looking for something else, then I am ungrateful to God, so there is no way I can be involved in any dirty thing that will tarnish the good name that God has given me.
All these awards you were given in America, is it because some Nigerians facilitated the deal or what?
I don't know how, but they thought Yinka Aiyefele deserves it. I did not buy it, I worked for it. And I think I deserved it.
Let's talk about the issue of spraying money, when you were in America, you know in Nigeria there is a law that bans spraying currency. In your own case, did they spray you or were you paid by the promoter upfront?
In America, we had concerts, in the sense that you won't be allowed to go on stage to touch the artiste, to talk to the artiste but the Nigerian style allows it. But in America, I was paid by my promoter and at the same time I was sprayed with dollars (laugh). So I don't think there is anything bad in appreciating musicians that way on stage as long as you are not abusing the currency. It's our culture,
It's not only musicians and Journalists that should be appreciated. I've seen some cameramen being sprayed money by the celebrants at parties.
Now that you are back, what should we expect from you?
We have started working my next album. Maybe in December we are coming out with a different percussive music.
Should we then expect a rise in your charges because levels have changed?
Yinka Aiyefele remains Aiyefele. I don't have plans for myself, God plans for me. So I won't say because I have gone to America and I will increase my fees for shows. No, I won't do that.
When you were in America there was this report that before you traveled Pastor Obadare told you to confess your sins so that you can walk. What can you say about that?
I was surprised when I came back and heard the story. There was nothing like that, I've never in my life gone to see Baba Obadare. I met Baba on board an aircraft sometimes ago. We were on the same flight to London, I think that was the first time I met with him but besides that I've never in my life gone to seek prayer. Which confession? So I was surprised when I heard about it. It did not happen, somebody just cooked up the story. I don't think there is any confession that I have to make to anybody unless to my God even if I have any confession.
We were also told that Pastor Adeboye of Redeemed Church of Christ placed a ban on you and Atorise not to sing in any Redeemed organized event. Is that true?
That's a big lie. I've never been banned from performing in any Redeemed Church. As a matter of fact I was supposed to perform at the Redemption camp before I left Nigeria if not because I had left earlier than the scheduled date. I've been to a lot of Redeemed Churches here in Nigeria and when I was in America, I attended Redeemed Church as well.
It was also said that while you were in America, you did relax with ladies and at the end of the day, you did not always pay them. What can you say on that?
(Laughs) It didn't happen at all. Do I even have time to rest or relax with any body? I faced my job because I performed Thursday Sunday.
Then, on Monday, I slept all through. On Tuesday, I held meetings with my band boys and we had rehearsed sessions. So I didn't have much time and we had a lot of fans that wanted to host Aiyefele. I didn't even have enough time to attend to a lot of people like that.
So, how do you view all these scandals?
I am using this medium to thank every member of the press. Those that write positive things and those that write negative things about Aiyefele. I say a big thank you to everyone of you. I was telling one of my friends in the media that I was shocked about all the negative stories about me. He now advised me not to be furious with the press. I would want the Nigerian press to report positive stories about us in the entertainment industry. This is the only way to assist us in boosting our careers. I will advise that Journalists should always verify their stories by calling the artiste involved to before publicizing anything. They should be careful not destroy they have laboured to build with scandals.
What is the relationship between you and Atorise?
Aburo mi ni (He is my younger brother) We were in America together sometimes ago and had a fantastic show together.
But have you heard what some are saying that he is the king of gospel juju music?
I don't think I've heard such a thing before. Even if he says he is a king, let him be king. He is working round the clock to make himself a king. Let him be king now (laughs)
Does that mean you've accepted him as your lord?
Which lord? No, if he says he is a king, not over Yinka Aiyefele it's over his job, over his effort, not over me.
Lead us into your background?
I am from Ipoti in Ekiti State. I had my Primary and Secondary Education in Ipoti Ekiti State. I came to Ibadan 1984-1085 to look for job, I went back home to Ondo State College of Arts and Science (OSCAS) but unfortunately I couldn't finish because of the cost. I came back to Ibadan in 1987, I joined Uncle Toye Ajagun, Myko Ade as a guitarist and I worked with the Nigeria Eagle Flour till 1988.
In 1999, I joined the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) as a freelancer commercial assistant. I later had the opportunity of training at the FRCN Training School as announcer, producer and I started presenting programmes on Radio Nigeria.
Your marital life?
I am happily married with kids.
After your accident, your career bloomed surprisingly. What was the secret?
I don't know, I am not the real Aiyefele, I am only working with Yinka Aiyefel and if it's one pastor, prophet or imam that's behind all my success, God should destroy all what I have.
But if I don't have any hidden secret to my success and is only God that knows the source then my career should be progressing.
Some musicians alleged that you steal their songs. What is the truth of the matter?
As far as Yinka Ayefele is concerned I don't steal songs. Look at those people that said Yinka Aiyefele stole their songs. Look at them very well and listen to their own music, listen to the songs they allege that I stole, when did they release their songs? Aiyefele will sing his song, they will go and sing it and say Aiyefele is the one stealing thier songs. And I play round the year, and they will quickly go and reproduce my compositions at parties and stage.
Olorun la dajo (God would be the judge)
In most of your songs, you praise men more than God. Do you think it's worthy as a Christian gospel artiste?
I praise God more than people but Yoruba says “Eni ba ma mu Obo, a se bi obo'. He who wants to catch a monkey will disguise like a monkey.
That is my own way of preaching the gospel, there is no way I would praise you that you will not be forced to listen to the sermons in my music. So if I concerntrating on praising God, talking about heaven every time, we have a lot of hardened hearts that will not ever listen to it, I can tell you today that a lot of Muslims listen to Aiyefele so you would be forced to listen to my message because you want to hear your name and friends names in it, and dance to the beat-in it. That is my own style of preaching the gospel.
In some of your shows, we do see ladies putting on provocative dresses and opening their cleavages as gospel artistes. Do you think it's right?
I don't think there is anything bad in, I will still let them know it's bad when I am singing. I will still let them know heaven is real.
Ability in Disability. How are you coping?
Despite the pain, despite the inability to move around the way I like, I think I've made proper use of my potential, the ability to sustain me and take care of my immediate relatives.
When you see people walking and you cannot. How do you feel?
When God says yes, no one can say no.
So I still give glory the God because I know things will definitely change.
That means you believe that you will still walk?
Definitely, I will still walk. When I was away in America, I visited a lot of specialists to see what can be done about my spine, and that with time, there is going to be a total healing for me. I believe.
What had been your greatest challenge so far?
Sometimes I want to do something urgently and I can not do it by myself and I have to wait for somebody to do it for me. For example, I may want to quickly go to toilet and my wheel chair is not besides me and there is no way I can do it unless I call somebody to quickly bring the wheel chair to me. It's a great challenge.
If you are told to sacrifice your wealth to start walking again which one will you choose?
I can't choose because I will not take the glory. I had my name when I was in broadcasting, when I was even walking on my legs, so it doesn't cost God my legs to make me walk again.
What message do you have for people who also cope with disability like you?
Let them know that when there is life, there is hope and they should not relent, they should not see themselves as disabled, they should aim at achieving something in life and crown their efforts with prayers.
What is your source of inspiration?
God
Finally, what has life taught you?
That life goes on, what ever happens to you. God had plans for everybody.
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