Popular Fuji musician Adewale Ayuba has said he chose Jesus Christ because he proclaimed, ‘I am the truth, the way, and the life.
He also revealed how he almost gave up his interest in music, relocated to America, and became a citizen of the United States.
Ayuba, in a chat with Teju Babyface on Tuesday, where he spoke about his career, religion, and marriage, disclosed that he and his band member travelled to America for their three-month summer show in 1995, but could not return to Nigeria due to threats from the late military head of state, Sani Abacha.
The singer said he was threatened by the military government after he released an album advocating for the freedom of political detainees, particularly the late Moshood Abiola.
The Fuji star said that while in the US, he enrolled in school and almost gave up interest in music to pursue a career in academics.
Ayuba said that after Abacha’s demise, he returned to Nigeria to perform at the Benson and Hedges Concert in 1998.
“I left for America with my full band members in 1995 for a summer show and others. We came to America for about three months and then returned to Nigeria.
“I returned to Nigeria in 1998 when Abacha died. The three years I stayed in America were by the grace of God, because he is a good planner.
“When I was in America, I realised that I could only perform shows on weekends. My Mondays through Fridays were free. So, I enrolled in school. That was where I met my wife.
“After that, I took part in a lot of activities. Doing so was like building another foundation in America. That was not easy. From there, I completed my documentation and became an American citizen.
“I don’t see myself continuing in Fuji music, I believe I have done well. This is America, there’s more to explore in life, trusting that God has a plan,” he said.
Speaking about his decision to convert from Islam to Christianity, Ayuba revealed that his decision was because he wanted “to be closer to God more than anything” but didn’t understand Arabic and was unable to pray in the language.
This, he said, prevented him from practicing Islam, adding that he would always invite clerics to pray on his behalf.
He also said he was inspired by verses from the Bible quoting Jesus Christ as saying, “He is the way, truth, and life.”.
Ayuba said the day he became a Christian was the happiest day of his life.
He explained that he prefers to worship where he “feels closest to God”, and that his choice of becoming a Christian “brings me happiness”.
“People claim Ayuba is a Muslim. Have they seen me in the mosque? If I were practising Islam, wouldn’t someone have noticed,” he said.
“Why is this an issue? Can they let me be? They say I should pray five times daily, but I’m not. My mother is an Alhaja, and although my father never went to Mecca, we practice Islam at home.
“So, my name is Ayub, which is Job in the Bible. It’s not that being a Muslim is good or bad. When I was practising Islam, I had to call some Chief Imams and Alfas to help me talk to God because I didn’t understand Arabic.
“I then asked myself, am I going to continue this, despite all that God has done for me, needing others to intercede on my behalf?
“There isn’t an album of mine where I haven’t referenced Muslim words. We all worship God. To me, religion is akin to education.
