Fuji teacher Adewale Ayuba, also known as Johnson, has shared the reasons for his move to the United States and his conversion from Islam to Christianity.
Ayuba, who began his music career as a teenager and released his first album, ‘Ibere (principle)’ in 1986, is famous for albums such as ‘Bubble’, ‘Turn Me On’, ‘Ijo Fuji’ and ‘Koloba Koloba’. ‘. .
During an interview on comedian Teju Babyface’s ‘King of Talk’ podcast, which was shared on YouTube on Tuesday, Ayuba, who is also a dancer, revealed that he and his band traveled to the United States for a summer show in 1995.
However, the Ogun-born singer said they could not return after their three-month show ended due to threats from the late military head of state, Sani Abacha.
This was in response to an album (title undisclosed) that Ayuba dedicated to advocating for the release of political detainees, particularly the late Moshood Abiola, in 1995.
He said: “I went to the United States with my band members in 1995 for a summer show and others. We came to the United States for about three months and then returned to Nigeria. Before leaving Nigeria, we recorded an album calling on the government to release all political detainees, particularly the late Moshood Abiola. We had the album ready and we released it right after we left Nigeria. Then I got a call from Abuja saying that the late Sani Abacha was looking for me. They asked me if he had returned and told me that they loved me in the United States and that I should stay where he was.
“I returned to Nigeria in 1998 when Abacha died. The three years I was in the United States were by the grace of God because He is a good planner. When he was in the United States, I realized that he could only do shows on the weekends. My Monday to Friday he was free. What could I do with it? So I enrolled in school. There I met my wife. After that, I participated in many activities. In doing so, it was like beginning to build another foundation in the United States. That wasn’t easy. From there I completed my paperwork and became a US citizen. So I am now a citizen of this country. He is an integral part of me.”
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The 59-year-old said there were rumors about him working at a gas station in the United States, with some even claiming he was arrested.
He also said he could not debunk or confirm the speculation for fear that Abacha’s junta would discover his location in the United States.
The death after Abacha
The ‘Ariya’ hitmaker stated that he returned to Nigeria after Abacha’s death to perform at the 1998 Benson and Hedges Concert held in Lagos State.
Ayuba further said that while he was in the United States, he signed deals, managed his band and performed at various shows.
“I have slowly developed a passion for education from day one. When asked about my aspirations, I imagine myself as a lecturer or professor. Complete my bachelor’s degree, pursue a master’s degree, and eventually earn a doctorate to achieve this goal. I don’t see myself continuing in Fuji music; I think I’ve done well and this is America; There is more to explore in life, trusting that God has a plan.
“After winning the lottery, I traveled to Nigeria in 1998 with the intention of collecting the prize and returning home (United States). I had decided to leave my singing career behind. However, an unexpected opportunity arose when Benson and Hedges approached me at Queensborough Community College in New York. I was invited to participate in an edition of the concert in Lagos throughout Nigeria. They told me how excited my fans were shouting my name during the 1997 concert; I agreed to attend the following year (1998), possibly without being aware of Abacha’s imminent demise,” he noted.
He added that while he returned to Nigeria for the concert, his band members, who had gone with him, could not return because they were married and working.
“When I arrived in Nigeria, they organized my booking and payment. I put together a new band since I couldn’t expect the members traveling with me to abandon their businesses and families. However, we still perform together in America; They are still my bandmates. However, they couldn’t join me in Nigeria, so I formed another band for the show.
“Then I realized that I wasn’t allowed to perform until the end of the show; They scheduled me last. They explained that 80 percent of the audience wanted to see Adewale Ayuba as they had not seen him in three years. I went on stage around 6:30, remembering why I came back to Nigeria.”
Christendom
The singer revealed that he converted from Islam to Christianity because he was inspired by the Bible verses, “Seek Him first” and “I am the way, the truth and the life.”
Ayuba noted that religion is a relationship between humans and God, emphasizing that Muslims and Christians worship the same God.
He added that religion is a personal choice and said he chose Christianity because he understands it and wants to be closer to God above all else.
“People say Ayuba is Muslim. Have you seen me at the mosque? If she was practicing Islam, would no one have noticed? Why is this a problem? Can you leave me alone? They say I should pray five times a day, but I don’t; No one has approached me yet. Maybe they are indifferent to my life.
“My mother is a jeweler and, although my father never went to Mecca, we practice Islam at home. So my name is Ayub, which is Job in the Bible. When you mention Anabi Isa, you are referring to Jesus Christ. I need help understanding Arabic. It’s not that being Muslim is good or bad. When I tried to practice it, I had to summon some Alphas 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 for me.”
The Fuji star expressed his disappointment with the way Nigerians practice religion and claimed he was accused of labeling Muslims as murderers.
He said: “Would you call my mother a murderer? There is not one album of mine in which I have not referenced Muslim words. We worship God. When we look at the Indians, can we say that God does not bless them? Likewise, aren’t the Chinese blessed? In Nigeria, Christianity encompasses various denominations such as Cherubim and Seraphim. So, there are many facets of God. Nigeria is unique in facing its problems; Instead of addressing our national issues, we dwell on trivial issues.
“For me, religion is similar to education. However, 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. He invites us to approach him exclusively. Many of my band members are Muslims and we pray together. Would I reject their Arabic prayers, believing that they are cursing me? Let us consider that Moses is Musa and Ibrahim is Abraham. I couldn’t attend Arabic school because of my profession. “I prefer to worship where I feel closest to my God.”