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Part of the celebrations was the Mega Praise Concert that took place at Aero Hotel and Event Centre, Olatunji Adepoju Street, By Tared Road, Ago Palace Way, Okota. Chief (Dr.) Commander Ebenezer Obey and other top dignitaries were in attendance, as well as other concerts being held across the South-West in honour of the birthday woman. The grand finale of the whole celebration comes up on 2nd August, 2014, at the popular Mauve 21, by Adeoyo Junction, M.K.O Way (formerly Ring Road), Ibadan.
Top celebrities expected at the event include His Excellency Dr. Isa Yuguda, the Executive Governor of Bauchi State; Senator Isiak Abiola Ajimobi, the Executive Governor of Oyo State; the Osile of Oke Ona-Egba; Aremo Olusegun Osoba, the former Governor of Ogun State and many others. In this interview with an online magazine, Mama Funmi Aragbaye as she is fondly called in the ministry, talks extensively on her journey of life at 60, her musical career, her love life as well as many other interesting issues.
You are 60, yet you look much younger than your age. What is the secret behind this youthful look?
I can say that it’s just the grace of God that is upon my life. Besides that, youthful look runs in the family, if you see my mother you will think she is my sister and when you see my own children too, you would think I am their sister.
I can say that it’s just the grace of God that is upon my life. Besides that, youthful look runs in the family, if you see my mother you will think she is my sister and when you see my own children too, you would think I am their sister.
Apart from the fact that youthful look runs in the family, do you engage in body fitness or any form of exercise?
Yes, I do lots of exercise. I am a member of Kayrom Lee Fitness Centre at Liberty Stadium (now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium), Ibadan and I do that regularly. If not because I am involved in fitness program or exercise I would have been twice this size. I watch my weight a lot and I want all women, indeed everybody to also pay attention to that side. Anytime I add a kilo or two, I have health challenges like pains on my joints, constant headache and all that, but the moment I come down on my weight, I feel okay.
Yes, I do lots of exercise. I am a member of Kayrom Lee Fitness Centre at Liberty Stadium (now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium), Ibadan and I do that regularly. If not because I am involved in fitness program or exercise I would have been twice this size. I watch my weight a lot and I want all women, indeed everybody to also pay attention to that side. Anytime I add a kilo or two, I have health challenges like pains on my joints, constant headache and all that, but the moment I come down on my weight, I feel okay.
On that particular day you turned 60, what was going through your mind when you woke up? Did fear of getting older get at you in anyway?
Nothing was going through my mind actually, except for the fact that immediately I woke up I knelt down and started thanking God for the opportunity given me to serve Him through music. I believe I have won millions of souls for Christ. I am virtually in the home of every Nigerian. I feel fulfilled and happy that God has kept me even up till this ,moment. My life and musical career has been a fulfilling one. I thanked God throughout the day and I took Holy Communion later that day, the church did Holy Communion Service for me.
Nothing was going through my mind actually, except for the fact that immediately I woke up I knelt down and started thanking God for the opportunity given me to serve Him through music. I believe I have won millions of souls for Christ. I am virtually in the home of every Nigerian. I feel fulfilled and happy that God has kept me even up till this ,moment. My life and musical career has been a fulfilling one. I thanked God throughout the day and I took Holy Communion later that day, the church did Holy Communion Service for me.
How did the journey into the Gospel music start for you, was there any sign from God like some others in the ministry do say?
Of course I was called. You also can testify to that yourself because the Bible says ‘’by their fruits you shall know them’’. Through ministration, you should be able to identify those who are called by God and those who are just entertaining. The journey started in the early 70s. My working career started in Ilorin and that was where it all started from. I was living very close to ECWA Church, along Amilengbe Road, Ilorin, in 1972. I was attracted to their sonorous voices, their lyrics and the message, we called them the Igbaja singers that time. You remember they had a radio station in Kwara in those days. So I got inspired by the the way rendered their songs, I joined the choir and was how it started.
Of course I was called. You also can testify to that yourself because the Bible says ‘’by their fruits you shall know them’’. Through ministration, you should be able to identify those who are called by God and those who are just entertaining. The journey started in the early 70s. My working career started in Ilorin and that was where it all started from. I was living very close to ECWA Church, along Amilengbe Road, Ilorin, in 1972. I was attracted to their sonorous voices, their lyrics and the message, we called them the Igbaja singers that time. You remember they had a radio station in Kwara in those days. So I got inspired by the the way rendered their songs, I joined the choir and was how it started.
So at what point in time did you take it professionally?
It happened in 1983. Messages started coming from men and women of God, that God says that I am going to do His work, but I didn’t take it seriously, I didn’t realise what God was talking about or what He had in store for me. Not until the mid 80s.
I get my songs in a miraculous way and that is why my songs are not common. I am sure they are not common because nobody would tell me that I have heard song that sounds like (singing in Yaba) “Emi orun so kale, ko wa gbe wa ro or Ijoba orun ku dede araye eyipada, onidaji aye nbo ti yo bere lowo re bawo lo se lo igbesi aye re’’. ‘’or mogbo ipe Olorun mi. “I get some of these songs through dreams, especially the side two of my very first album (Olorun Igbala)’’. I just woke up singing ‘’Sioni ilu ayo, Jerusalem ilu ogo’’. I was crying when I woke up, so the spirit of God said write it down.
It happened in 1983. Messages started coming from men and women of God, that God says that I am going to do His work, but I didn’t take it seriously, I didn’t realise what God was talking about or what He had in store for me. Not until the mid 80s.
I get my songs in a miraculous way and that is why my songs are not common. I am sure they are not common because nobody would tell me that I have heard song that sounds like (singing in Yaba) “Emi orun so kale, ko wa gbe wa ro or Ijoba orun ku dede araye eyipada, onidaji aye nbo ti yo bere lowo re bawo lo se lo igbesi aye re’’. ‘’or mogbo ipe Olorun mi. “I get some of these songs through dreams, especially the side two of my very first album (Olorun Igbala)’’. I just woke up singing ‘’Sioni ilu ayo, Jerusalem ilu ogo’’. I was crying when I woke up, so the spirit of God said write it down.
I just put the local musical notes to it and forgot all about it. Until later when God brought me back to that song that I should go and develop it. He also gave me a vision when I was going to start, He showed me a vision concerning what is happening in the country now. That time I saw that things were expensive, there was famine in the land. People were no longer eating what they like, but ate what they could lay their hands upon and there was religious crisis, So that was why I reflected it in the side 2 of my first album, titled ‘Olorun Igbala’, where I sang on how God should please help us do it, that the world is coming to an end and for God to show His people the right way. To help us redeem our country, Nigeria and not allow us experience famine and all that. If you listen to the lyrics you would discover that, that is exactly what is happening in Nigeria today.
Out of your musical efforts, which one brought you into the limelight?
The thing is that my first album in the mid 80s was a hit. When that Sioni came, it shook the whole of the South-West. It took the Gospel music scene by surprise. It was like my house turned to a Mecca of sort, people were coming in to say where is the woman that sang that song? Even Chief Ebenezer Obey who happened to have released the first music on D-Cross Music Label said Evangelist, ‘’I have been singing for decades, this particular song I have never heard anything like it’’. He asked me times without number how did happen? How did you get it? And he told me from day one that when he listened to the demo that, “the song is going to shake the world’’. That it is going to be an instant hit and true to what he said, it became an instant hit. So I started hitting from there, but by the time I threw in ‘Divine Call,’’ oh my God! I can’t say how many millions that one sold.
The thing is that my first album in the mid 80s was a hit. When that Sioni came, it shook the whole of the South-West. It took the Gospel music scene by surprise. It was like my house turned to a Mecca of sort, people were coming in to say where is the woman that sang that song? Even Chief Ebenezer Obey who happened to have released the first music on D-Cross Music Label said Evangelist, ‘’I have been singing for decades, this particular song I have never heard anything like it’’. He asked me times without number how did happen? How did you get it? And he told me from day one that when he listened to the demo that, “the song is going to shake the world’’. That it is going to be an instant hit and true to what he said, it became an instant hit. So I started hitting from there, but by the time I threw in ‘Divine Call,’’ oh my God! I can’t say how many millions that one sold.
So ‘Divine Call’ should be described as your break musically?
Not really. Because God planned everything that I started making it right from my first album. I can only say it is the most sold of all my albums. So I have been dropping hit upon hit ever since.
Not really. Because God planned everything that I started making it right from my first album. I can only say it is the most sold of all my albums. So I have been dropping hit upon hit ever since.
In all, how many albums do you have to your credit as a Gospel mega star?
I have released over twenty now.
I have released over twenty now.
You have become a phenomenon in the Gospel Music industry, you are an international woman who have travel far and wide. You has been releasing hit songs over the years, how does it make you feel when you look at all you have been able to achieve musically?
I feel fulfilled that at least I have excelled amongst my peers in this country. I have tried my best, I feel happy. I feel within me that physically, spiritually and the people knows that I have tried my best.
I feel fulfilled that at least I have excelled amongst my peers in this country. I have tried my best, I feel happy. I feel within me that physically, spiritually and the people knows that I have tried my best.
Since you are blessed with the gift of seeing vision, do you plan to extend your ministry to have a Church?
The plan to have a Church is as old as when I heard the first call and we are still working towards it. That was what I was trying to do some years back when I got duped by somebody in Ibadan here.
The plan to have a Church is as old as when I heard the first call and we are still working towards it. That was what I was trying to do some years back when I got duped by somebody in Ibadan here.
What are your reflections on life at 60?
Well, what I should be reflecting on at this stage of my life or do corrections honestly I would not want to. I have discovered that to be a perfectionist is not the best, in a society where people are not upright, people are not straightforward. In fact people are something else in this country. When some people says good morning if you look at the time it might be evening. People find it difficult to influence me on anything I don’t believe in. Because I believe in myself and what God says I should do and once I believe in something, honestly I go along with it. As a perfectionist I have had occasions where I felt like God, why did you created me like this? Even when I finish my productions, the area I look at is the imbalances. What have I not done perfectly well, I don’t even see what is good in it. So once I release that is the end of the story. So it could be something else if you have somebody who is a liar, when you have some people who are lazy. I work day and night, sometimes I don’t sleep until 1am and by quarter to five, I am up again.
Well, what I should be reflecting on at this stage of my life or do corrections honestly I would not want to. I have discovered that to be a perfectionist is not the best, in a society where people are not upright, people are not straightforward. In fact people are something else in this country. When some people says good morning if you look at the time it might be evening. People find it difficult to influence me on anything I don’t believe in. Because I believe in myself and what God says I should do and once I believe in something, honestly I go along with it. As a perfectionist I have had occasions where I felt like God, why did you created me like this? Even when I finish my productions, the area I look at is the imbalances. What have I not done perfectly well, I don’t even see what is good in it. So once I release that is the end of the story. So it could be something else if you have somebody who is a liar, when you have some people who are lazy. I work day and night, sometimes I don’t sleep until 1am and by quarter to five, I am up again.
What was it in your background that made you what you are now, an upright woman and a perfectionist?
I think it has to do with my upbringing, my mother. My mother is a super perfectionist and up till this moment she is still one. Even at 60, my mother still corrects me on things and say that is not the way I taught you. She is still too strict, too rigid. So it is not surprising that am who am I today. For me to now change, I have tried to relax. I mean taking people for what they are. If for example the driver is supposed to resume by 7:30 and he is coming around 9am, assuming madam is not going out this morning. I do complain at times and I don’t even say anything at other times. But before if you do it one, two, three times, I sack you. Now I have to accommodate people.
I think it has to do with my upbringing, my mother. My mother is a super perfectionist and up till this moment she is still one. Even at 60, my mother still corrects me on things and say that is not the way I taught you. She is still too strict, too rigid. So it is not surprising that am who am I today. For me to now change, I have tried to relax. I mean taking people for what they are. If for example the driver is supposed to resume by 7:30 and he is coming around 9am, assuming madam is not going out this morning. I do complain at times and I don’t even say anything at other times. But before if you do it one, two, three times, I sack you. Now I have to accommodate people.
So with these your experiences about life, what life has really taught you at 60?
Life has taught me to be a straightforward person and to be content with whatever you have. To be content in whatever situation you find yourself. Life has revealed to me what human beings are. People are not what it used to be in the past. Before, there were many people you could count on, people you could rely on and people you could take for their words. Once I say something out, I stand by it. I have had malaria and I was receiving drip but I carried the plaster to an album launch at Abeokuta. The event involved one of the sons of Oba Dapo Tejuosho and because I had given my word, I was thinking in the hospital that if I told Kabiyesi that I was sick, he may think am just using that as an excuse. I got there and he saw me, he said yes, you are a correct woman. Ever since, he has been attending all my programs.
Life has taught me to be a straightforward person and to be content with whatever you have. To be content in whatever situation you find yourself. Life has revealed to me what human beings are. People are not what it used to be in the past. Before, there were many people you could count on, people you could rely on and people you could take for their words. Once I say something out, I stand by it. I have had malaria and I was receiving drip but I carried the plaster to an album launch at Abeokuta. The event involved one of the sons of Oba Dapo Tejuosho and because I had given my word, I was thinking in the hospital that if I told Kabiyesi that I was sick, he may think am just using that as an excuse. I got there and he saw me, he said yes, you are a correct woman. Ever since, he has been attending all my programs.
Your husband must be indeed an understanding man because of the fact that you are like always on the move. What kind of a man is he really?
My husband is a complete gentle man, very nice, understanding, cooperative and loving man. He was a senior journalist.
My husband is a complete gentle man, very nice, understanding, cooperative and loving man. He was a senior journalist.
How did you meet each other?
We met in Herald. When I was working in Herald, he was working in Sketch in 1974. He came to visit late Chief Peter Ajayi and he saw me and said Peter, ‘’I like this your sister’’. Chief Peter said ha! Funmi, don’t mind her, she is an S.U. He went further to say that virtually everybody in Herald have asked her out, she has not budged. So Peter and the late Yakubu Abdulazees and Lola Olaniyan then said, “we have all failed, you Gbola, you are gentle man, its not going to work’’. But he persisted, he was always coming from Sketch in Ibadan here to Ilorin. So I eventually transferred my services to Sketch in Ibadan in 1975 and we later got married at the Emmanuel College.
We met in Herald. When I was working in Herald, he was working in Sketch in 1974. He came to visit late Chief Peter Ajayi and he saw me and said Peter, ‘’I like this your sister’’. Chief Peter said ha! Funmi, don’t mind her, she is an S.U. He went further to say that virtually everybody in Herald have asked her out, she has not budged. So Peter and the late Yakubu Abdulazees and Lola Olaniyan then said, “we have all failed, you Gbola, you are gentle man, its not going to work’’. But he persisted, he was always coming from Sketch in Ibadan here to Ilorin. So I eventually transferred my services to Sketch in Ibadan in 1975 and we later got married at the Emmanuel College.
You worked on your transfer because of him?
Because of him, yes.
So what eventually won your heart to agree to marrying him?
He is a complete gentleman. Unassuming, simple, very nice painstaking and he is handsome too. I realised that all I said to put him off didn’t work at all. The more I tried to put him off, the more he was getting closer to me. I also believe that it has been destined that we were going to marry each other, because If I had married one the happening editors in Herald, I would have been lost in the world. When I got to the Sketch we got married at the Emmanuel College of Theology in 1976. Our wedding reception was held at the popular Mellanby Hall, University of Ibadan. It was indeed a celebrity wedding with likes of Chief Olusegun Osoba, Felix Adenaike and co in attendance.
He is a complete gentleman. Unassuming, simple, very nice painstaking and he is handsome too. I realised that all I said to put him off didn’t work at all. The more I tried to put him off, the more he was getting closer to me. I also believe that it has been destined that we were going to marry each other, because If I had married one the happening editors in Herald, I would have been lost in the world. When I got to the Sketch we got married at the Emmanuel College of Theology in 1976. Our wedding reception was held at the popular Mellanby Hall, University of Ibadan. It was indeed a celebrity wedding with likes of Chief Olusegun Osoba, Felix Adenaike and co in attendance.
What is the highest point that Gospel music has taken you to that you feel like yes! I am on top of the world?
When I started touring America. I have been to all the great countries of the world and whenever I move out of Nigeria, my God! You need to see the way they celebrate me. If you see the videos and photographs. You know over there once they like you, they celebrate music stars unlike Nigeria here where prophets are not so celebrated.
When I started touring America. I have been to all the great countries of the world and whenever I move out of Nigeria, my God! You need to see the way they celebrate me. If you see the videos and photographs. You know over there once they like you, they celebrate music stars unlike Nigeria here where prophets are not so celebrated.
So what comes to your mind each time you go out and see such crowd, celebrating you?
I feel like God! Is this me? How did I merit this? When I look at my background and see what God has been doing, I marvel and I always go on my knees to thank God. There was a particular program held at the Liberty Stadium here (now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium), I think it was Bishop Ojo’s programme. When we got there, the crowd was huge, one thing led to the other and the man said ‘’if you want to be like Evang. Funmi Aragbaye raise up your hand’’ and everybody raised up their hands, he told them to place their hands in their heads and turn it into a prayer. I looked at myself that God, am I more than this? Is it more than what am doing? Ever since I have been thanking God.
I feel like God! Is this me? How did I merit this? When I look at my background and see what God has been doing, I marvel and I always go on my knees to thank God. There was a particular program held at the Liberty Stadium here (now Obafemi Awolowo Stadium), I think it was Bishop Ojo’s programme. When we got there, the crowd was huge, one thing led to the other and the man said ‘’if you want to be like Evang. Funmi Aragbaye raise up your hand’’ and everybody raised up their hands, he told them to place their hands in their heads and turn it into a prayer. I looked at myself that God, am I more than this? Is it more than what am doing? Ever since I have been thanking God.
What was your growing up like, tell us little about your background?
When I was growing my mother didn’t allow me to mix. It might sound like an indictment, but it’s not because it eventually helped me up till this stage. My mother portrayed men in such a way that it was like if you had an handshake with a boy, you would get pregnant. So I was always running away from men throughout my life in Ondo and that followed me to Ilorin. So when I got to Herald I found it difficult to mix. My growing up was peaceful, it was nice. All I can remember when I was growing up that time was that my mother was a singing butt. Sometimes she would tell me stories about how she went to school in Kaura, Zaria in those days.
When I was growing my mother didn’t allow me to mix. It might sound like an indictment, but it’s not because it eventually helped me up till this stage. My mother portrayed men in such a way that it was like if you had an handshake with a boy, you would get pregnant. So I was always running away from men throughout my life in Ondo and that followed me to Ilorin. So when I got to Herald I found it difficult to mix. My growing up was peaceful, it was nice. All I can remember when I was growing up that time was that my mother was a singing butt. Sometimes she would tell me stories about how she went to school in Kaura, Zaria in those days.
How many are you in the family and what number are you?
We are about eight, I am number two.
We are about eight, I am number two.
You have been mentioning your mother, does it mean that you are closer to your mum than your dad?
After God now, it is my mother. My father is dead, he was part of the second world war.
After God now, it is my mother. My father is dead, he was part of the second world war.
Apart from God telling you what to sing about in your dream, what inspires you musically?
Happenings around me. In fact, when He called me, He said I should preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world. He also said I should pray, criticise and comment on the ill of our society. That is why if start with my very first album up to the present one, the one I am releasing now to commemorate my 60th birthday entitled ‘Peace In Nigeria’, if you see the video, water will be drop from your eyes.
Happenings around me. In fact, when He called me, He said I should preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ all over the world. He also said I should pray, criticise and comment on the ill of our society. That is why if start with my very first album up to the present one, the one I am releasing now to commemorate my 60th birthday entitled ‘Peace In Nigeria’, if you see the video, water will be drop from your eyes.
Are you satisfied with level which you have taken the Gospel so far?
I think I am satisfied, but I believe I have not done enough. I am still moving on.
I think I am satisfied, but I believe I have not done enough. I am still moving on.
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