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Alhaji Sefiu Alao, the legendary Abeokuta, Ogun State based fuji musician is an opinionated individual with native intelligence that can sail a ship from Nigeria to anywhere in the world. He is widely traveled and has received several chieftaincy titles and several awards of honour home and abroad. The man who is now known as ‘Bata-Oko”, a man who stayed back in his home-town and still excelling hosted the Editor of On Stage, Ganiyu Olowu, the News Editor, Olusegun Onifade and the Photo Editor, Oluwakemi Sofoluwe at his Abeokuta residence. The interview is worth reading. Sure!
become the Nigerian president then. One may even confuse you for a prophet, with a lot of visions, because of the way you sing. We’re now in similar period, election is fast approaching. Why that song?
Alhaji: Everything we do in this life requires wisdom. It’s not all those we name prophets that see any vision. Many of them are very calculating-they work a lot using past events and incidents with present situation to predict the future. Among all the contenders of that time, Chief MKO Abiola, was highly favoured as a candidate for the presidency. People wanted him so much.
If you look at the present situation in the country, as we prepare to go to the poll next year, Tinubu is likely going to win among other contenders. He’s popular, experienced, he’s educated with a lot of exposure. He’s also rich. We don’t need any prophets to tell us this. This among many other things are what we see to project what may likely happen in the future. That’s why I call myself a music philosopher.
On Stage: When artistes and musicians become popular and have money, they leave their base and move to Lagos in highbrow areas especially. Why have you not left Abeokuta, despite your fame and money?
Alhaji: It’s contentment. Because I am contented with the little that I have and I have decided not to run around, a lot of people think I have all the money in this world. People often conclude that Abeokuta is a poor city and they want to quickly move to Lagos. They believe Lagos is filled with great connections and you can easily make it there then staying in Abeokuta. One of my senior brothers, who had been with me both in good and bad times, just rose up one day and decided to move to Lagos. He’s been there for about 16 years with nothing tangible go shows for it. When you move to another city like that, my own understanding is that you’re going to join queue. There have been others there before you. Lagos is even expensive to live. The nature of our job does not require relocation as such. Anywhere your they would come and look for you to invite you for show. There’s no need running around.
On Stage: In what ways has digitalization and internet affects music industry, especially Fuji music, which is your genre of music?
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