Evangelist Olubukola Rachael Akinade a.k.a Senwele Jesu is one of the sought-after gospel musicians in the industry. In this interview by SEYI SOKOYA, the mother of three speaks on her steady rise in the industry and how she overcame her darkest moment in life. Excerpts:
Would you say you have reached your peak in the music industry with your popularity and impact in the industry so far?
No. I am still striving to get to the top. The fact that I am rated as one of the popular musicians in the country doesn’t mean I have reached the peak of my career. Those accolades cannot get to my head or will make me relax. It is a great privilege to have performed and ministered at notable platforms. I thank God for the grace I have enjoyed so far: My music has cut across Nigeria and beyond the shores of the country as well as shared stage with notable gospel ministers and elders in the industry. Above all, I still aspire to go far and deliver beyond my expectations. I am determined to set a pace for the up-and-coming artistes and also discover more talents. Part of my dreams is to institute an intercontinental music and I believe God will fulfill all my aspirations.
How would you react to the new trend where some gospel musicians are now infusing secular music and slangs into gospel songs?
I cannot judge anybody, but I would say that what is not Biblical is not worthy to be found in the tone of our music. Though, the world may influence us, the Bible has commanded us that we should not be influenced by them. They would bring it to us and whether we like it or not we listen to them. In fact, we hear it free from the neigbourhood and our children listen to them at schools. Also, we come across these songs with ease on social media through our gadgets and phones. But the maturity not to be influenced by all these things is what we call grace. I want to charge gospel ministers to continue to ask for the grace not to fall into flesh. Instead, they should use their lives and talents to impact the world. Don’t forget that environment sometimes determines the songs some people produce. It takes the help of the Holy Spirit to scale through what the environment throws at us. We will continue to pray for those that have derailed and I am confident that God will give them the grace to return to the right track.
But some have argued that the infusion is a way to get the attention of worshipers, especially the youth. Do you agree?
No. Don’t let us forget that nobody can save anyone except Jesus Christ. We can only persuade or preach with our songs. Such idea is not tenable. Is it reasonable one falls into sin all because one wants to preach salvation or save a sinner? No. It is not ideal. Though, no one is perfect, we will still be praying for them. Meanwhile, I am not presenting myself as a saint. Personally, I am still seeking for more grace not to derail.
It is no more news that there is a caucus in the gospel music industry, which one do you belong to ?
I don’t have any idea about the caucus you are talking about. I am a gospel singer and I am an active member of the national association, Gospel Musician Association of Nigeria (GOMAN), and I pay my dues. Importantly, I respect and obey the elders in the industry. I want to state that this association is the mother of all gospel ministers’ associations in Nigeria. All other associations are branches from the tree of GOMAN.
What is your relationship with other artistes?
I am a friend to everyone. I have a cordial relationship with artistes across borders. Anybody that knows me well will agree with me that I am a free person. I love to build and sustain relationship with people in a Godly manner.
Aside the fact that you are one of the sought-after gospel musicians in the country, you are also the brain behind to notable concerts. How have you been able to combine all these tasks?
I have two major programmes in a year; Fiyinfolu and Praise Banquet concerts. Fiyinfolu is the annual mid-year praise and thanks giving programme while Praise Banquet is my annual praise concert. The two concerts are mandate from God and He has been sustaining them from inception. I have six months interval to plan for both. I trust God that this year’s event would be glorious. Fiyinfolu, which will clock five years this year will hold on June 16. This is why God has mandated me to headline five notable ministers including Sola Allyson, Mike Abdul, Big Bolaji, Babatunmise and Dr Smile for the concert. I am happy to be a vessel for God’s work. I appreciate God for how far He has brought my music career. In fact, my entire life speaks music.
One of the qualities that stand you out is your brand of music which is rooted in indigenous culture. How did you come about this?
Aside the fact that I do gospel, I also ensure that I celebrate my culture through my talent. I love my culture and I am proudly an indigene of Ibadan. I cherish the Yoruba culture a lot, because it is full of wisdom and respect. Even with the fact the I am educated, I don’t toy with my culture. That is what brought about the brand Senwele Jesu. It is reflected in all my works. I am not fulfilled without the cultural display of Senwele at every ministration, because that is my source. This is what brought me to the limelight.
How did you feel when you realised that your brand of music was being impersonated?
It is normal. I am not bothered about them, but I know that people are watching as well as know the original Senwele Jesu.
The sudden death of your band captain seems to be the major challenge you encountered in recent time. How were you able to overcome it?
Moving forward does not mean that things are not happening, but it is a privilege to say my God reigns. It was one of my darkest moments in life, and I don’t think I can forget him. He was very close to my family and also had passion for my ministry. He had a clear understanding for my vision and gave me every support I needed, but who am I to query God who knows all things. It came as a rude shock to me, but I have to move on, because some are watching whether I will deny faith with this incident or not. I thank God for the strength and courage to overcome this trying time. I don’t see it as an attack to my ministry; God knows the appointed time everyone would leave this earth. We were together on that day, precisely till 12 noon. He asked me, are you going Mama? And I responded Yes, and we departed jovially. I received a distress call immediately I got home that he was in the hospital and that was all. Shina will be greatly missed. But I still thank God for everything.
How have you been managing the home front and your music career?
I am privileged to have married my friend, though he is a busy person as a cleric. He is also into music, but he had to drop music when I took it up professionally. He said he would manage my music career, which is very rare among men. Having understood the nature of this job, I always prepare my home ahead and put my children in safe hands, because my ministry starts from my home. If I fail in the home, I won’t be successful in my ministry.
What would you have ventured into if not music?
I would have become a journalist. That had been my dream, because that was what my father wanted me to become as his pet. He would sit me down during news hours to pay keen attention to the newscaster and after the news, he would give me a newspaper to read as the newscaster. I personally love the experience. He was preparing me for that profession unknown to me that God was preparing me for a different thing. But I would have loved to go into journalism if I am not into music. He eventually discovered that I have passion for music, but he was not pleased with it, but I have been ordained to do music. Unfortunately, I lost my dad before I released my first album. It is painful that he did not witness what the Lord is doing in my life with music. I love him so much and I missed him.
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