The talented Fuji musician Adewale Ayuba, has shared his motivation for moving to America and becoming a Christian.
Ayuba discussed his faith, his music career, and his new life in the US in a Tuesday conversation with Teju Babyface.
He revealed that in 1995, he and a bandmate went to America for their three-month summer tour.
After their performance, Ayuba said that they were unable to go back to Nigeria because of threats from the late military dictator Sani Abacha.
The singer claimed that following the release of an album in which he supported the liberation of political prisoners, especially the late Moshood Abiola, he received threats.
According to Ayuba, in 1998, Abacha went back to Nigeria to sing at the Benson and Hedges Concert following his death.
The musician said that he completed his paperwork to become an American citizen and enrolled in school while he was in the country. He added that he got married 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.”
When discussing his choice to become a Christian and leave Islam, Ayuba mentioned that he could not pray in Arabic.
He claimed that because of this, he was unable to practise Islam and that he would constantly ask clerics to do prayers on his behalf.
He added that passages in the Bible that quote Jesus Christ as saying, “He is the way, truth, and life,” served as inspiration for him.
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.
