Can you tell us what you've been up to in recent times?
For some months now, I have announced that I am back on stage. I have been back for a long time. If you are somebody that people really love and they want you to come back you don't have to announce your coming back. That is why some few weeks ago, I released a single titled 'Showkey Show' and I make sure that single will be launched on radio. But I have to do something where all my people will be there. So it is very very important. But now me and Del B are working on something which I would not want to disclose now.
Why did it take so long for you to return to the music scene?
I had a car accident that affected my spinal cord and for three years I was in the hospital. I could not walk for that three years and that is why some time when I go to events and people ask where have you been? And I would say did you not hear that I had a car accident? Had it been I was arrested for drug, everybody in Nigeria would know, but I had an accident that almost took my life and affected my spinal cord, I was away abroad in the hospital for treatment and people kept asking me about music. If had passed on music would continue, that's why I have to relax and take care of myself. But now I feel good. I thank God that it is the spirit in you that keeps you going.
You were in Oguta months back for the burial of Justice Oputa. You must be close to the family...
Anybody that was not in Oguta for the burial will not experience what I experienced. I came to Oguta because of Justice oputa's burial. I was also surprised at the way people celebrated him. It shows that he was a good man. It shows that If you are good, that singular fact will count for you. And it's encouraging to people like us, because the future would tell what you did; the impression people have about you matters a lot.
What do you think people can learn from the life that the late Justice Oputa lived?
What people should learn is that it is not until you acquire all the wealth in this world before you become a good role model or a good person. The late Oputa was a chief Justice of this country and he lived a humble and simple life. The mere fact that one builds houses and drives all the fancy cars in this word, does not mean that person has a fulfilled life. The legacy you leave behind matters a lot. If you are good you are good. Everyone will face his judgment day here on earth; I don't believe there is a place where everyone will be judged. Everyone will be judged here on earth. If you lived a good life people will commend you.
What's your take on the rapid appointment of Peace Ambassadors?
To make someone a peace ambassador, that person must actually be a peaceful person and a role model. You must be an exemplary person, one that lives an exemplary life. Most of the people that are appointed as peace ambassador are trouble ambassadors. We don't need to kill people before making peace. We should make peace before it leads to crises. If there is a problem among the people, we call the people and make peace. We should not allow blood shed to take place before we make peace with the waring parties.
You were recently attacked by unknown gunmen recently were they robbers of assassins?
Those ones are purely assassins and I say it every day they cannot rob me in this country. Armed robbers cannot come to my house because I grew up in the streets and am a street boy. I see armed robbers everyday, they would see me and greet me. They do things that surprise me, they make me thank God that I eventually ended up as a musician.
If you see an armed robbers can you recognise them?
See, if you drive at night and somebody who is not a police man with a gun and stops your car, who do you think that person is? There was a day a robber saw me and said 'Showkey baba I no know say na you, dey go'. So that respect is enough. The people that came to my house they met my son, they asked my son where is your dad, my son said am not around. My son went into one of the room in my house to tell another guy living with me that robbers were in the house with guns. When the guy came out, they thought he was my body guard and they shot at him. If it they were armed robbers, would they have asked for me? They were inside my house, they did not take my gold or other valuable property. So am convinced they are not robbers. Some few months later I was shot again.
Why would anyone want to kill you?
I don't know. I can't really say this is the reason but I leave everything to God and I thank God I have overcome it.
Talking about your son, we heard recently that you are not in support of his venture into music. Can you clarify that?
I am in support of education and music is education but for me, I would encourage any child to first of all get an education because education is the key. If I had the opportunity to further my education, maybe I would not be where I am today. I may have achieved more, so I would like my son to fulfill my dream. My son is a very good music producer. But I made a bargain with him to first of all break my record and achieve that dream of completing his studies so I can support him. But without that I would not. Am a father, a parent. Even if your child want to learn any hand word, let him have an education first. So if am telling my son that I would not support him to do music, not that am depriving him of his dream, because my parents did that to me, although I did not listen to them but I thank God that he gave me music. What if my son doesn't have a second chance what will he fall back on? So that is my reason. And I would not deny that I didn't say I won't support his career.
Lets talk about PMAN as an entity?
I think we musicians should be more united. I want PMAN to come back, I must be honest with you. We cant achieve anything by fighting or quarreling. We should move PMAN forward and forget these factions and come back together. Music makes people happy, so musician should be happy. I believe PMAN should settle its differences and come back as one strong united entity.
Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
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