Nigerian Fuji mastreo, Adewale Ayuba recently revealed why he converted from Islam to Christianity.
In a chat with Teju Babyface, Ayuba spoke about his life in the United States, and why he left Nigeria.
He disclosed that he and his band member travelled to America for their three-month summer show in 1995. Ayuba said they could not return to Nigeria after their show ended due to threats from Sani Abacha, the late military head of state.
The singer said he was threatened after he released an album advocating for the freedom of political detainees, particularly the late Moshood Abiola.
Ayuba said after Abacha’s demise, he returned to Nigeria to perform at the Benson and Hedges Concert in 1998.
The singer said while in the US, he enrolled in school and completed his documentation to become an American citizen. He said he also met his wife 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.”
Speaking about his decision to convert from Islam to Christianity, Ayuba revealed that he was unable to pray in Arabic.
This, he said, prevented him from practising Islam, adding that he would always invite clerics to pray on his behalf.
He also said he was inspired by verses from the Bible quoting Jesus Christ as saying “He is the way, truth, and life”.
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.
