Popular Fuji musician Adewale Ayuba has opened up about his move to the United States.
In a recent interview with Teju Babyface, Ayuba revealed that his initial relocation to the U.S. occurred in 1995 during a three-month summer show with his band.
However, political circumstances under the regime of the late military head of state, Sani Abacha, prevented his return to Nigeria.
Ayuba explained that after releasing an album advocating for the freedom of political detainees, including the late Moshood Abiola, he faced serious threats.
Following Abacha’s death in 1998, Ayuba returned to Nigeria to perform at the Benson and Hedges Concert.
The Fuji ace shared that during his extended stay in the U.S., he enrolled in school and completed the necessary documentation to become an American citizen.
Ayuba also revealed he met his wife in America.
“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,” Ayuba said.
“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.”
Ayuba noted that he only performed on weekends in the U.S., allowing him ample time during the week to pursue education and other activities.
Ayuba also addressed his conversion to Christianity, stating that his inability to pray in Arabic had long hindered his practice of Islam.
He often relied on clerics to pray on his behalf. Inspired by biblical verses, he found solace and happiness in Christianity, particularly in the teachings of Jesus Christ.
“People claim Ayuba is a Muslim. Have they seen me in the mosque? If I were practising Islam, wouldn’t someone have noticed,” he questioned.
“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.”
Ayuba emphasized that his choice was personal and brought him closer to God.
“I chose Jesus Christ because he proclaimed, ‘I am the truth, the way, and the life’. This is my personal choice,” he said.
Adewale Ayuba began his music career as a teenager and released his first album, Ibere (Beginning), in 1986.
The 59-year-old musician is celebrated for his albums such as Bubble, Turn Me On, Ijo Fuji, and Koloba Koloba.
