Sefiu Alao (aka Omo Oko) is a Fuji music star based in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. The recipient of many chieftaincy titles and several honourary awards last weekend spoke with Senior Reporter Anthonia Soyingbe on his life as a Fuji artiste, why he would not re-marry after the demise of his wife and on other issues.
Don’t you think it is sort of derogatory to refer to yourself as ‘Local Boy’?
It is not and in the real sense of it, I am a thorough local breed. Aside this fact, many people have the perception that once you don’t reside in Lagos, you are local. I don’t want to get offended when people refer to me as Omo Oko (Local Boy) hence I gave myself that nickname and I am contented with it.
You are based in Ogin State, are you considering relocating to Lagos to advance your musical career?
What do you have in Lagos that we don’t have here in Ogun? I am contented with what God is doing for me and so I don’t see myself relocating for anything. Aside that, I don’t think I can cope with the hustle and bustle associated with Lagos. I started singing Fuji 32 years ago and to the glory of God I have 36 albums to my credit.
I have bagged many awards and many chieftaincy titles to my honour. I suffered when I started but to the glory of God, I survived it. My royal father, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo the Alake of Egbaland, crowned me the ‘Apesin ola of Fuji’ so I am fulfilled.
Can you share with us your early days in the industry?
I don’t even know where to start from; the bottom line is that I suffered and by the grace of God poverty and suffering will never come to my abode again. I started music just to entertain my friends who then rented musical instruments for me to entertain them during festive periods. Ever since then I have not looked back.
Musicians like you have many wives; how many do you have and how many more do you wish to take?
I had just one wife and she died about eight months ago. I am very okay with my children and I don’t need a wife again because I don’t want any woman’s problem in my life again.
Your late wife was a problem to you?
Not at all but I love being around my children and I don’t want anyone to create confusion in my family. I am so contented with my children, marrying another woman can create chaos in my peaceful home.
But we understand you have many mistresses, are you not considering marrying one of them?
I can’t deny the obvious fact that I have many mistresses but marriage is not on my card now and it can never be on my card.
Many are still of the opinion that Fuji singers like you are rascals.
(interrupts) Whatever they like let them say, I am not a rascal so I don’t brood over such wrong assumption. We have taken Fuji to a level of decency; probably they are referring to Fuji singers in Lagos who go about fighting and calling themselves unprintable names for reasons only best known to them.
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