–Sala Abeni
By Damilola Fatunmise and Ayo Lawal
Legendary Waka Queen, Salawa Abeni is a well known name in the music industry. She started her career as at the age of 13. In this chat with Entertainer, the grandmum opens up on her career and how she battled a strange ailment for eight years.
It is 2017, what do you have in store for your fans?
I thank Almighty Allah. Queen Salawa Abeni is fully back and I have a lot for my fans and well wishers. I was sick for a very long period but I bless God for sustaining my life.
For how many years were you sick?
I was sick for eight years. Very soon my albums will be released. I came back fully in 2016. I performed at AFRIMA, ‘An Evening With Governor Ambode’ and ‘One Lagos’ alongside my son, Big Sheff.
So what kind of ailment was it that you battled for eight years?
It started when I lost my son 16 years ago. It was on and off until I was totally down on Febuary 1, 2009 . Rumour flew around and some people mocked me and that affected my career negatively because I couldn’t work. But today I thank God for everyone Almighty Allah used to heal me. I want to thank God, my children, siblings, family members, the press, state governors, senators, prophets of God and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all those who never gave up on me.
Was it a spiritual attack?
Hmmm… I know it didn’t start one day. I woke up one morning and I couldn’t lift myself. Only my neck and head were functioning, I did many tests both home and abroad. Five different therapists attended to me. I was flown from Nigeria to London and later to Paris but today, praise be to the Almighty Allah.
When you started your career, which Record label did you first work with?
Leader Records owned by my late son’s father. I did 15 albums after which I joined Kollington Records owned by Alhaji Ayinla Kollington. But the 15 albums are still with Leader records up till date.
Why? is it that there was no official contract between you?
I was just 13 and what was my educational qualification? I didn’t really know the ‘do’s and ‘don’ts then and that is one of the reasons I made sure I gave all I could to support my children in their educational pursuits. I could remember when the owner of Leader Records, died, my son insisted I followed him for the rites which I did and immediately after his burial, his will was read and it was stated that all my albums should be released to me but unfortunately, they haven’t done that..
You started as a young girl, what is your advice for youngsters who want to take after you?
Exposure won’t allow them suffer like me. I stayed with a guardian in the early stage of my life but I was fortunate. My guardians were very supportive but I couldn’t further my education beyond Standard Six. Now children are enlightened. When my son wanted to start singing I told him no problem but he had to first have his degree.
So, your educational background is the reason why all your children are university graduates?
Yes o, that is the major reason . I believe if I had been well educated, the suffering wouldn’t have be so much.
You have been singing for over four decades. Are you thinking of retirement?
(Laughter) With due respect to Ebenezer Obey, KSA, Kollington Ayinla and Wasiu Ayinde Marshal all of whom are still singing and very relevant in the industry. Why would I think of retirement? Music is in my blood, it can’t stop.
You trained all your children single handed, was there any time you felt like giving up?
No, though it wasn’t easy, I am proud of them. I am sure that most of my colleagues who have property everywhere might mock me but today I bless God, my kids are my treasure.
Has there ever been a time you feel like quitting.
(Silence, tears) When I faced challenges at Leader Records, Yes. Secondly, at Alhaji Rasaq Ayinla Kollington’s house I wanted to quit and again when I lost my son, Lanre, I got frustrated but I had to keep my head up and face life squarely. Again, when I was down with sickness I almost lost it. This sickness almost turned me into a beggar when I ran out of cash and valuable property before government came to my aid. Even some of my friends got tired but some didn’t give up. I thank God He stopped me from being a beggar and made me a giver.
Was there any time during your sickness that you wished to die?
No! I never gave up for once and even when my eldest sister broke down I admonished her for lack of faith. My faith was so strong I never gave up once.
What will you say is the mystery behind your healing?
It is God. All the places I went for care contributed to my healing. That was why I sang Owo Ti O Le Gbe Sibi Pada Wa Gbe Omo Omo (My hand that could not lift a spoon eventually got to carry my grandchild). When my first child Okikiola gave birth to my grandson, I personally named him Ojumirire (my eyes have seen good) and I am very happy I didn’t die before my mother. She was a true mother.