•Mba
For years, Chris Mba was down nursing a bad leg which took him to India in search of cure. Now back hale and hearty, he spoke to Deputy Editor, Charles Okogene on his exprerience.
Chris what is happening to you? For a very long time nobody has heard of you musically…
I was sick for a very long time but I am okay now. I went for a surgery and you can see that I am not using glasses again. I can walk straight too; all for the glory of God.
So what are you up to?
I am planning to come back. You know, I had a major surgery and afterwards it is like I lost all whatever and I didn’t want anything to bother me so that I can regain my memory. They (my doctors) even told me not to think of so many things. That I should not belabour the brain with so many things. So, I have been taking it easy. And gradually the thing is coming back. I have a job, a lot of songs I am working on. And very soon you will hear from me.
What was the aliment about?
I wouldn’t know. All I know was that my two legs just twisted. I thank God I went to the hospital that period because, according to the doctors at the hospital, if I had delayed, it would have been worse, meaning that it would have gotten to a stage that I won’t walk. They said the two bones were touching each other and as they were touching, they were twisting and that it would have gotten to a level that even if I did the surgery, they (the legs) won’t be straight. I thank God I went when I went; that was purely God’s time.
And the doctors in the Indian hospital did not tell you the cause of the aliment either.
In fact, they were surprised how it happened. They were like, ‘how did this happen at the same time; two legs?’ they were surprised but it happened. As for me, I didn’t really want to know what happened. All I was interested in is to get well. All I cared then was to get well and nothing more. Whatever happened I didn’t want to know. I just wanted to get back on my feet.
So it was beyond medical comprehension?
I wouldn’t know that too. You can see me now that I am okay; I can now walk without the aid of walking stick.
So musically what are you doing or planning?
That is what I am saying that I was advised not pack things in my brain. I did a major surgery; I was lying facing up for three good months; just looking at the roof and I can’t shift to the left or right. It was hard. And for one to leave that situation and come back to normal life was not easy. I started to learn how to walk first. From walking with what they called walker to clutches and from clutches to walking stick and now, I don’t use any of them. I am back on my two feet. I don’t use any of them now.
How long did all of this take you?
A whole year. I was in the hospital for like three months, came back to Nigeria and was indoors recuperating for months again with my friend, Orits, telling me not to disturb the leg or bother to walk when it is not time yet. That I should obey the doctors’ instructions and which I did. It wasn’t easy.
You must have spent a lot?
Oh! Yes.
How were you able to pay the bill knowing that you have been down for long before going for the surgery?
I don’t know how it happened; I know it was God at work. I survived.
We learnt you did a song for Super Eagles…
Yes. As a matter of fact, there was an entry of about 120 songs from different artistes. There was an advert on radio and TV calling for entry; for a song that can inspire and mobilize our Super Eagles, if you know you have such song, please send in your entry. That was how the advert ran.
I did like any other person and according to Aisha Falode, she said they had over 120 songs and I won. It was announced at Tesilim Balogun Stadium. But up till now, NFF (Nigerian Football Federation) that is supposed to handle things is yet to do anything. Though, I was told that I was supposed to be signed on to Sony Music. That was what Bolaji Ojuoba told me.
I am yet to hear from them. The song is very good, it is there with them.
They need to produce the video and use it to promote the team. Now the team is back. What are they waiting for? They might have even forgotten because that is our way. That is Nigerian style, no continuity. This is a song which was selected as the best by a panel of judges and you dump it somewhere. The song is ageless because when I do things like that, I make sure I do not mention any player or coach name because Super Eagles is like barracks; soldier go, soldier come barracks remain. So we are talking about Eagles here not a particular player or a set of Eagles. The song remains relevant forever.
And you were able to do it with your pains?
Yes; it is a talent that God gave me. Moreover, I have done a similar song for them when they were going for France ’98. In short Nigeria owes me. I have also done a song during the national election where I called on Nigerians not to sell their votes. I did another I called Project Nigeria. Even the Goodluck support team by musician na me which Sammie Okposo and Francis Duru hijacked. Na me, Chris Mba’s idea.
That good luck to you, good luck to me song was done by me with Sunny Neji while Okposo was just playing keyboard. What Francis Duru and Sammie Okposo did to me, God will judge them. They hijacked my project. I started going to Goodluck Support Group when they didn’t have a secretariat. I got to know the group through Ambassador Agali who is now permanent secretary Federal Ministry of Water Resources.
I showed him the proposal of what I want to do for Goodluck Support Group and he gave me the contact of a man called Goodlack. Goodlack was President Jonathan’s political adviser when he was vice president. Right there he called the man to tell him that I will be coming to see him. And that his (Agali) PA is bringing my proposal to him (Goodlack). After two days I called him and he said he has not seen my proposal and I now asked him if I can now come to Abuja and he said I should come.
The next day I went to Abuja, met him and he collected my proposal asked me to come back in two weeks time. It was about seventh or ninth meeting with him that he told me that there is one Francis Duru that brought a proposal talking about entertainment maybe we can work together. And I said ‘why not?’ He gave me Francis Duru’s number and address.
I went to Francis Duru’s office. When I got there I met somebody called Richard Ossai. We were talking until Francis walked in and I briefed what I discussed with Goodlack. And Francis told me to let him handle actors while I coordinate musicians. I said ‘fine and good by me’ but because he is in Abuja, he was always going to meet the man. When I came back to Lagos, I went to Sammie Okposo and he pledged his support, I called Daddy Showkey he agreed, I called Sunny Neji he said I should come to his house because he wants to know who and who are involved. I went to his house. I told them I was in it because I felt that Jonathan, like any other Nigerian, has the right to become the president of Nigeria and nothing more.
When I went to Showkey’s house after discussing with him he insisted that Pasuma must be part of it; we went to Pasuma’s house that day and he accepted to be part of it. I bought flight ticket for them to go to Abuja with me. All of them travelled with me to Abuja except Pasuma. Inside the aircraft I met Paul Play, I sold the idea to him, he bought it and followed us to the press conference/meeting. When I confronted Francis on why he brought two Abuja based musicians to the event when we had agreed that I handle musicians while he take care of actors, he found a way to explain himself away but later sent me text messages abusing me.
That was how he cut me off from the project and started dealing with Sammie Okposo. And Sammie that I brought into the deal started dealing with him without finding out what happened.
What is the title of the song you did Super Eagles?
Eagles Go For Goals.
Tell us the story of your hit song, Baby Don’t Cry.
It is just a song; a song that I wrote and it happened to be what people wanted that time. Maybe I was a good toaster.
They said the song is about one Calabar girl in Mba Street Ajegunle that blew your mind?
No, it is not true.
Which label did you release the song on?
Chris Robins label in Onitsha. Orits Williki was the company’s marketing manager then.
There is a move to settle the rift in PMAN (Performing Musicians Employers’ Association of Nigeria), what is your take on it?
I am the coordinator of the peace initiative. I have been on PMAN issue from the days of Christy Essien Igbokwe. I am entirely in support of the move.
And we are determined to return PMAN to the path of peace.