Music News | 12 May 2008 06:56 CET

MY PARENTS WANTED ME TO BE AN ACCOUNTANT, BUT ... - SAMMY

Sammie Okposo has undoubtedly proven wrong the doubting Thomases with his brand of gospel music. After conducting various choirs for years and composing countless theme-songs for the Nigerian movie industry, he is not relenting, rather he has been forging ahead to produce more soul-inspiring songs. His insistence on staying strictly with gospel song has won him laurels and awards, notable among which is the KORA award. At a time when many artistes were at a loss on how and where to begin, Sammie has been in the studio with world class gospel artistes like Cece winans. He is quick to tell anyone that if not for God, he wouldn't have been anywhere today. No wonder his hit song, Wellu, Wellu in 2000 , is still lighting up stages till date.

Sammie is many things to many people: many see him as immensely creative, just like he is well admired by both men and women. An encounter with Sammie would make you fall in love with Jesus all over again as he cannot stop but sing the Lord's praises. At 38, he seems to have seen it all. Though his parents wanted him to be an accountant, God had a different plan and purpose for him. This is no hold-barred encounter with TOPE OLUKOLE by the godfather of the gospel music. Excerpt:

When did you release your first album?
That was in the year 2000. It is still doing well till tomorrow. People used to request for it whenever I'm on stage. Even when I sing other songs, the clamour for wellu, wellu is still the highest.

What is the secret of that song– wellu, wellu?
It is a grassroots song. It cuts across. At times, I sit down and try to listen to it over and over again to work out why the frenzy for it, but I just marvel. Sometimes, you get songs like that that become a hit, a success you just can't explain.

Can you talk a bit about your background?
My mother is from Cross Rivers while my father is from Isoko in Delta State of Nigeria. I attended elementary school in Lagos, Hosea College in Abuja and ICU, Benin City for my A' level. I was admitted to read Accounting at Delta State University, Nigeria but music didn't leave me alone.

How do you see the entertainment industry in Nigeria?
You see, comedy, acting, modelling, football, music and entertainment have taken over. People make decent living from all these endeavours. My father wanted me to be an accountant, he did not want to see me playing music initially, but today he is so proud of me. He tells me well done. The entertainment industry is giving Nigeria a good name abroad. We have talents that have changed the fortunes of our country. Look at the footballers for instance. Someone told me a joke that now,most parents did not want to see their boys just loitering in the house, they will ask him why is he not playing football with his mates. They will ask them that :do they not want to be like Kanu or Okocha? It is a joke but the fact remains that entertainment is taking us to places in Nigeria. It is keeping our youths off crime.

How did you start?
At a very tender age, I sang in the choir. I conducted various Christian groups. I have never left music.

What are the challenges?
Initially, a particular clique dominated the music industry. People now know that talents abound everywhere, especially in the Niger Delta, where I come from. We turn out talents on daily basis. Music pays all my bills now. It has taken me everywhere.

Any temptation of going secular?
Not at all. Gospel is in me, my family members are church people. While growing up in my home, you dared not miss Sunday school or any other service. When I was a baby, they carried me on the shoulder to church. As soon as I started walking, I trekked to church by my self. The various groups shaped me. I am a complete gospel artiste.

You own a music label, what's the name?
Yes. Zama.

How do you operate?
I do my music.

Look for marketers?
No! They come to me now and we are on. I have marketers in the UK, South Africa, and Ghana… just everywhere.

Let's get a bit personal, are you married?
No, but I have a beautiful 13-year-old daughter.

How do you survive some controversial reports about you in the media?
How do I survive you people, you mean? As a gospel artiste, some don't expect you to break some grounds. And when you do, people start to wonder. They will say 'he is a single man.'

Ok, let's go, Janet Fateye?
Janet is my ex …

...Gloria Ibru?
Gloria is the mother of my daughter, we relate till now. We are not enemies. Our daughter is in the United Kingdom. I don't want to bring her into so much limelight? Do I continue?
Ok, I know you want to say Kate and I are good friends.

But many thought you and Kate would end up in marriage. Notably, Pastor Paul, who once asked publicly in his church that when are you, people, getting married?
Yes, Pastor Paul used to disturb me a lot about marriage then.

What happened?
As you know, it did not work, people of that kind who used to see us together are guessing. We are just friends.

What about Stella?
He is my good friend too.

What has Jesus done for you?
Hey! We no go leave here today o. All my albums mention that I don't know where I would have been without God and Jesus. I can't begin to count. God has done beyond my expectations. I just love praising him.

Are you a born-again christian?
Yes, absolutely! God is in me. He works in mysterious ways.

When did you hear the voice?
When I was under Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor when he was still in Word of God Mission Church. I have God in my system. Right from childhood, you know, sometimes as a teenager you try to dodge attending church but when the time comes you can't walk away from the church and God.

What will you say to your fans in the UK?
I love them all; Jesus loves them too. I will always strive to do more for them and continually minister to them through my music because if not for God, I won't be where I am today. We all have to praise and worship him forever.

What do you like to wear?
I like casual dressing. I don't like things that will stifle me.

Where do you shop?
Everywhere. If I see what I like I just go ahead to buy it.

How do you relax?
I love watching movies. I could go to the cinema from morning till evening and watch movies one after the other. I love movies a lot.

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