Multi-talented Artiste, Frankie Walter is no doubt on who has become a force to reckon with in the industry judging by the kind of sound he produces and the kind of voice he is blessed with. His latest release ‘Mr Damola’ which the video just came out some months back has been rocking the airwave.
In an Interview with Osho Oluwatosin, he talked about his career, challenges, and his next plan as regards his music career.
Excerpts Below:
Q- My name is Osho Oluwatosin, Can i meet you?
R – My name is Frankie Walter AKA Mr Damola, I’m a singer, song writer, voice actor, my career is all about music. Music is life to me, it’s not just a gift, it’s not just a hubby, It’s life to everything to me
Q – How long have you been in the music industry?
R –I’ve been in the industry for like ten years now and if i tell you it has been smooth all through, i’ll be lying to you, i’ve had the up side of it and the down side of my career but so far, it’s been good, God Has been Good.
Q – Can you mention some of the challenges that you faced?
R – When i was starting in the music industry, i faced some of the challenges every artiste who was trying to come up faced, challenges like you wanting to record a song and you don’t have the money, or maybe you have the money but it’s not up to what they will collect in the studio and you are worried if you still want to do music, you have the zeal but you don’t have the money to do it, and it takes a whole lot for someone to believe in you to the point of wanting to invest in you. We have times when you record a song and you don’t have the money to promote it so what is the use of recording when you can’t promote it, it can be demoralizing, discouraging if you are not passionate about the music thing, you might give up before time.
Q – So how were you able to overcome these challenges?
R – First, God, two, Determination, i don’t believe in giving up, i don’t do that, i believe in whatever i want to do, i should do it well and once i set my heart and my mind to do something, until i get it done, i don’t rest.
Q – What is your definition of Good music?
R – Good music is the kind of song i hear and it calms me down first, two, there is a message, three, a song that is evergreen, four, a song my kids, 10 years from now can listen to and it’s still fresh in their ears, because it has something and it’s still telling them till then.
Q – In the next five years, where do you see yourself?
R – Huge, i see myself really huge, five years is even too much, i see lot of awards, notable awards globally, not only Africa, Grammy awards, BET Awards, NMVA, lot of them and the name Frankie Walter is a name every child on the street will know.
Q – Who are those you’ve worked with since you started?
R – I’ve worked with lot of artiste, I’ve done something with Vector, that’s the next track we dropping, I’ve worked with Chuddy K, We’ve not dropped that one, I’ve worked with Jumabee, with Dede Senior, he’s yet to launch out, watch out for him, I’ve worked with quite a number of people.
Q – What are your plans for 2017?
R – 2017, We will drop a lot of beautiful songs, audio and videos to accompany them back to back, I’m just going to feed my fans with Good Music and Videos, we’ve waited for too long.
Q – Who are those you look up to in the industry?
R – I’ve always been a Tracy Chapman fan, she’s not a Nigerian. In Nigeria, I’m not just saying this, i know what I’m saying, i respect 2face a lot, i respect his longevity, creativity, I respect his touch, he’s one of the people that respect good music, I don’t know why I keep mentioning Johnny Drille, One of the artiste Don Jazzy Just signed, he’s my good friend, shout out to him and there are so many people i respect, i learn things from everyone.
Q – In the music industry today, a lot of artiste leave their record labels controversially, what do you think is the cause of that and do you feel you will be exiting you label soon?
R – The truth is i believe people have reasons as to why they do what they do, if you feel the way you guys started, there’s need for the contract to be reviewed because things have changed and maybe your label are not listening to you and you want to change that contract or terminate it with them. People have their reasons but for me, I’m very good with my label for now.
Petrol: MRS Slashes Petrol Price to N935/Litre Nationwide, Enforces compliance
… Nigerians praise Dangote-MRS partnership
MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, a prominent player in the Nigerian downstream oil industry, has implemented a new petrol price of N935 per litre across all its retail service stations nationwide. This follows an announcement by the President of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has partnered with MRS Oil and Gas to offer petrol at N935 per litre at retail outlets, following a reduction in the ex-depot price from N970 to N899.50 per litre.
In response, MRS Oil Nigeria Plc has instructed all its outlets to implement the new price immediately, setting up a digital platform and monitoring team to ensure full compliance. The company has also called on Nigerians to report any outlets that fail to adhere to the new price structure.
“Petrol is now being sold at N935 at MRS Filling Stations nationwide. If you find any station not following this price, please report it. Call 08009447853 or email: [email protected],” the company stated in a release.
Emphasising the eco-friendly nature of its products, MRS Oil added, *“We call on all petrol station owners to join MRS Oil Nigeria Plc in improving the supply chain of our beloved country, ensuring product quality and availability in every corner of Nigeria for the benefit of all Nigerians.”*
Checks by our correspondents yesterday confirmed that the new price had been implemented at all MRS Oil and Gas retail outlets nationwide.
In Lagos, commuters were seen queuing at MRS filling stations to purchase petrol. Many expressed their gratitude to Dangote Petroleum Refinery and MRS Oil and Gas, urging other marketers to support the indigenous refinery rather than import off-spec products into the country.
Mrs. Ibukun Phillips, a commuter at the MRS station at Alapere on the Lagos Ibadan Express way, could not hide her joy as her husband filled up their car.
“I am very happy today. This is a victory for Nigeria,” she said. “The price reduction is the best gift of the season. But beyond just the reduction, we are buying standard, eco-friendly petrol at a lower rate. My husband and I have decided we will only be using MRS from now on because we are confident in the quality of the product and supporting the economy.”
Commercial bus driver Adio Ajibade described the price reduction as a great relief, especially during the festive season.
“The reduction is a great relief. It will reduce transportation costs and benefit Nigerians. God will continue to bless Alhaji Aliko Dangote,” he said.
A public affairs analyst and university lecturer, Dr. Tunde Akanni, said the collaboration between Dangote Petroleum Refinery and MRS Oil represents a significant step towards improving the affordability, quality, and sustainability of petroleum products in Nigeria.
According to Dr. Akanni, “this move will not only help ease the financial burden on Nigerians but also promote a more environmentally conscious approach to fuel consumption, benefitting both the economy and public health in the long term.”
The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has rolled out an exciting opportunity for experienced professionals to join its team.
In a public notice via its X handle, the agency announced job openings for positions like Assistant Manager, Deputy Manager, and Assistant Director in fields such as Tax, Public Relations, Legal, ICT, and Risk Management.
Interested candidates are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria and apply via the official portal at careers.firs.gov.ng before January 11, 2025. This recruitment drive is aimed at bolstering public service efforts and maximizing national development.
UBA GMD Calls for Public-Private Collaboration, Joins Aviation Minister to Commission New MMIA Departure Section
The newly renovated departure section of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, refurbished by United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, was officially commissioned on Friday, December 20th, 2024.
The laudable project, which marks a transformative moment in Nigeria’s aviation sector, underscores UBA’s unwavering commitment to national development and highlights the immense value of strategic public-private partnerships (PPPs).
The ceremony was graced by distinguished stakeholders, including the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN; the Managing Director of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku; other Directors, and Heads of Agencies operating at the Airport.
Speaking at the event, UBA’s Group Managing Director/CEO, Oliver Alawuba,lauded the collaboration that brought the project to fruition as he emphasised the need for public and private institutions to come together to build and revamp the nation’s assets.
“This renovation is a testament of UBA’s belief in the transformative power of investing in national assets. By modernising our airports, we not only enhance infrastructure but also position Nigeria as a global hub for tourism, trade, and investment,” he stated.
Alawuba took time to highlight the broader economic impact of such initiatives, urging increased private-sector participation in national development. “Public-private partnerships like this demonstrate what can be achieved when we unite for a shared vision of progress and investing in infrastructure catalyses economic growth, improves travel experiences, and creates opportunities across various sectors of the economy,” he added.
Alawuba reflected on the power of unity and collaboration, quoting Helen Keller: “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” The commissioning of the renovated departure section serves as a reminder of what strategic partnerships can achieve in driving national development and elevating Nigeria’s global standing.”
While commissioning the project, Keyamo commended UBA for executing the project, a feat he termed a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s aviation sector. “This renovated departure section exemplifies the bank’s commitment to elevating aviation infrastructure, improving passenger experiences, and fostering international partnerships. It is a proud moment for the ministry and all stakeholders involved, and I thank the management of UBA for pioneering this initiative,” he remarked.
The minister highlighted other key achievements of his ministry, including compliance with the Cape Town Convention, the launch of a consumer protection portal, and advancements in major infrastructure projects such as the second runway at Abuja Airport and solar energy integration in airport operations.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive of FAAN, Mrs. Olubunmi Kuku, commended UBA and other stakeholders for their contributions, adding, “This project reflects FAAN’s dedication to delivering world-class aviation infrastructure. The enhanced departure section not only elevates passenger experiences but also strengthens Nigeria’s competitive position in global aviation,” she said.
She called for more private-sector participation, emphasising that “partnerships like these are essential to transforming the aviation sector into a beacon of excellence.”
The newly renovated departure section boasts cutting-edge facilities designed to enhance efficiency and passenger comfort. This upgrade reaffirms the Murtala Muhammed International Airport’s status as a critical gateway to Nigeria and a major hub for international travel in Africa.
United Bank for Africa is Africa’s Global Bank. Operating across twenty African countries and the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France and the United Arab Emirates, UBA provides retail, commercial and institutional banking services, leading financial inclusion and implementing cutting edge technology. UBA is one of the largest employers in the financial sector on the African continent, with 25,000 employees group wide and serving over 45 million customers globally.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login