Armed with spectacular kind of music, hers is to reach out to souls spreading the gospel through music. Olawale Onabanjo is an Award winning gospel artiste who has performed in several events and concerts, home and abroad. She is a political scientist, an educationist, music director, business woman and CEO, Splendour catering services and confectioneries. In this interview with Sahara Weekly contributing Editor, Victory Akingbade, she takes us deeply into her world. Excepts…

THANKS FOR HOSTING SAHARA WEEKLY IN YOUR HOME, KINDLY INTRODUCE YOURSELF MA.

My name is Olawale Onabanjo popularly known as OLA. I’m the fourth born of family of five.  My growing up was fun as I had parents who were so loving.  My dad was an evangelist who would go to any length in making sure his children are well educated. Well, he’s late now (he died last month)

WE ARE SORRY FOR THE LOSS MA

Thank you. After finishing from primary school, I attended our lady of Apostle secondary school, Ibadan.  And graduated in olabisi olabanjo university where I studied political science and education.  I’m into full time ministry as a gospel artiste propagating the word of God through music.

AS A POLITICAL SCIENTIST, HOW DID YOU FIND YOURSELF IN MUSIC?

Music is a calling for me which I must fulfill. It has always been part of me, an inbuilt gift from God. So it’s not an hobby but a full time profession and I must confess I’m fulfill preaching God’s word through my songs.  As a child I grew up with an ambition in becoming great in life and affect my generation positively and to achieve this, I had to go to school and make sure my parents are proud of me too. I still practice what I studied in the university but music has always been part of my life. I’m also into catering business too; I’m a full time baker- into cakes and confectioneries and also train people too.  So that’s to tell you that God has really endowed me with great gifts and I’m grateful to him alone. Music is my passion and I love to do it well.

DON’T YOU THINK YOU ARE FORFEITING OTHER GIFTS FOR MUSIC ALONE?

No. even before I went to study political science in school, I’ve always been involve in music. I was a backup singer and lead vocalist for some bands too.  I had to study political science because I love the course and would like to practice it as an art student then but nothing can stop me from music. It is part of my life.

IS THERE ANYONE IN YOUR FAMILY YOU ARE TAKING AFTER IN MUSIC?

No. my dad was an evangelist and love music but he would never support his daughter to go into music as a profession. Well my dad didn’t stop from singing as long as you read your book. Music is what God wants me to use in spreading his good news to whole world and I’m so happy he choose me.

HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR OTHER BUSINESSES WITH MUSIC?

I won’t lie to you Victory, it’s quite challenging but God has been and will continue to be a faithful God. I have staffs who work with me too and these has really make things a lot more easier. When I have two major jobs at the same time, I get my staffs involve in one while I handle the other and be rest assured they will deliver their best as I should have.

Cuts in…  DON’T YOU THINK YOUR STAFF CAN’T SNATCH YOUR COSTUMERS FROM YOU?

You can’t rule that out. But so far I’ve had good staff who work with full commitment, not because of the money involve but because they aspire to be great in life too and as the saying goes “what you sow, you reap”. You can’t cheat me or misuse your opportunity given to you and expect a desired result. God is not partial.

YOUR HUSBAND IS SO HAPPY AND FULLY INVOLVE IN YOUR MUSICAL CAREER, HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?

My husband is a music promoter and my executive producer and manager. I have been singing before we met, and when we got engaged he appreciated my chosen career and gave his full support. He is the CEO splendour music, A record label where great potentials are brought to lime light.

AS A GOSPEL ARTISTE, HOW HAS THE RECEPTION BEEN?

God bless you victory for this question. This is where the main challenge is, gospel artiste are not well appreciated and that could be very frustrating, some churches will even invite you and expect you to perform FREE OF CHARGE not considering the scripture which says a laborer is worthy of his wages. Superiority among some so called gospel artistes is what even baffles me more. How can you see your fellow gospel artiste and look down on him/her because you think he/she is not a star yet? Who is a star? Please let’s stop these attitudes and focus on our assignment which is to spread God’s word through our songs. When you are doing the will of God for your life be rest assured of SUCCESS.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR NEW ALBUM?

This is my third album and it’s titled DO MY OWN, a 12 track album with 2 instrumentals. Kenny kore, Obiwon Obiora and Mike Abdul are among the great gospel artistes featured in this album. The songs are CONNECT TO COLLECT, DO MY OWN and lot more.  You will never be the same again after listening to each song in the album.  My first album was released in 2004 and EDIDIFE which is the title of the second album was launched in 2014.

SIR, (OLA’s HUSBAND), HOW HAS IT BEEN WORKING AS OLA’S MANAGER AND EXECUTIVE PRODUCER?

Working with ola has been a huge experience as every day we get better in our field of endeavour. Ola is a very gifted gospel artiste whose passion is to make sure the gospel of our lord is spread across all nations. That I really do appreciate in her. I’m really proud to be her husband (smiles)

The challenge we have is lot of marketers don’t like to market gospel music because they feel secular music sells faster than gospel. There is lot of politics even in the church when it comes to paying a gospel artistes and that as sure has made lot these gospel artistes compromise their faith. Well as a lover of good gospel music that was why Splendor music was birthed to encourage and promote gospel music to any level. I’m an architect by profession but born into a music home, my dad is one of the biggest gospel music promoters Nigeria has ever produced and that trait I took after.

Another challenge is finance as we do all the production and promotions alone now to get to that desired position in music where other marketers would patronize us.  And by God’s grace, we know we will get to that level.

WHAT IS YOUR GENRE OF MUSIC?

Ola: I am a versatile singer, very creative. I don’t just a style of music because my target market is everybody. That alone makes to be very versatile.

HOW DO YOU STAY FIT?

Ola/ husband: we try to do lot of exercise and also live our lives happily. Because our message (song) is to uplift souls, build broken / failed marriages, educate people on the right things always. Generally to make sure everyone is happy and connected to Christ.

ADVISE TO THE UPCOMING GOSPEL ARTISTE

My advice to the upcoming ones is to stand firm in their faith, don’t compromise your faith for leisure. All these will fade away but God’s word will remain. Believe in yourself and be who God wants you to be. God bless you.

THANK YOU MA FOR YOUR TIME WITH US

Thank you sahara weekly magazine. You are doing a great work. Keep it up.