The President of Association of
Juju Musicians of Nigeria (AJUMA), Queen Ayotunde Kofoworola Balogun, simply
addressed as Ayo Balogun clocked 58 on Thursday, December 10, 2015, and was
excited about it. In a media chat with the graceful
ageing and successful musician a couple of days back when she was visited in
her Sura Mogaji, Obanikoro, Lagos office. She spoke on issues, including her
plans for 2016. Excerpts:
2015 has come and gone, how would you describe the year, especially
concerning your career?
2015 was a very tough year talking about the state of the economy of the
country. It’s a year of many changes as we all know, and so many things have
changed. And concerning myself and other entertainers, the year really treated
us somehow. But in all, we thank God because whatever the situation, we’re
still able to breathe in fresh air. If I weigh it, it’s like 60-40 unlike when
it used to be 80-20, I mean, the good and the bad respectively. That means 2015
was 60 percent good and 40 percent otherwise. But I realized we’re going
through a process. And I strongly believe the situation is going to change for
the better.
Would you say you met some of the targets you set at the beginning of the
year?
Yes, I did. That’s why I actually said it’s was 60 percent okay for me. The
year wasn’t a total failure. It’s only that things were not as good as
expected. But in all, I will say I am not disappointed.
Come now, what are the plans for the year?
Though we all have our plans for the year, we still have to keep praying
for the Nigerian economy to turn out better so that we can achieve more in the
year because no matter what your plans are, you still have to be praying for
the country. It’s when everything is going well that we all can enjoy. Despite
the fact that I have my plans for the year, I will still keep on pushing and
see how things unfold.
Do you believe in New Year resolutions?
Seriously, when you say New Year resolution that means there are things
you’re not doing right that you want to correct. And that shouldn’t be for
anybody. You make sure at all time, you do that which is right. So, if you know
you’re doing what’s right, you won’t want to change it because you can’t change
what’s good, you can only be better. I believe it’s only when something is bad,
that’s why you’re taking a resolution that you’re going to change this year.
So, I really don’t believe in it.
Which area do you think the government can boost
the entertainment industry?
That can be done in so many ways
by responding to our call when we have anything to do that will require
government support. Another area the government can look is piracy which is the
industry’s common enemy because it happened to a lot of people last year. After
finishing their video albums, you realized that some people were already
selling what had not been officially released.
So, we really need help so that
we can reap the fruits of our labour.
Since you launched your album, has it in anyway
changed your career?
Yes, it has. Even when I go to
shows, people now ask for the songs in the new album. They want to listen and
dance to One Life. so, it has really pushed us forward. I thank God for that.
With the hip hop revolution in the industry, do you
think juju is still making any wave?
I can say, 100 percent and it has
come to stay. So, I keep saying it that when you look at the number of shows
and engagements, juju musicians are the ones performing in most of these
events. So, I don’t see any genre of music overshadowing juju.
On Thursday, December 10, 2015, you turned 58, how
does that feel?
It feels good! I keep thanking
God for life and His mercies upon me, my household and my business.
Do you see or feel old age taking its toll on you?
I can’t say either yes or no
because you can’t see yourself more than people.
Are you afraid of old age?
Why? I am not of afraid old age
in any way. I even believe being alive is by the grace of God. When you
realized that people that are even younger than you are dead you’ll be amazed.
And you’re still on the surface of the earth doing fine, you have every reason
to thank God.
You’re very close to 60 now, are there some targets
you set for yourself to meet before that age?
Yes, any reasonably thinking
person must plan for old age. The person must know the way he or she wants to
live his or her old age. And at the same time, one must be fully prepared
ahead. So, I am doing that.
You didn’t roll out the drums to celebrate your
58th birthday, why?
Everything was low key. We’re all aware of the
economic situation of the country. We just have to thank God for keeping us
alive
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