He influenced a lot of up and coming singers in the days when reggae music was the rave. There was virtually no big-name artiste of that era who did not pass through his tutelage. Name them, Majek Fashek, Ras Kimono, Orits Williki, The Mandators, Evi Edna Ogholi, Onyeka Onwenu, to mention but a few. He had the magic wand, the midas touch that turned everything he touched into gold, musically speaking. Steve Black is a name that still rings a bell even today. He still retains the flair and passion for music even now he has become a member of the clergy. In this interview with JUST LIBERATION NEWS, he talks about the heady days of nurturing stars in Benin City, his relationship with the late TB Joshua, the state of the country's entertainment industry and a host of other sundry issues. Excerpts....
YOU HAVE BEEN A GREAT INFLUENCE IN THE PAST IN DIFFERENT WAYS, SUPPORTING YOUNG AND OLD TO SUCCEED IN MUSIC.
Very true
WHAT WAS YOUR GROWING UP LIKE?
My growing was fun just like every child born and raised in the 1960s and 70s. My parents were very strict and raised us in the best possible way they could. With discipline, diligence, honesty, etc, being their watch word
CAN YOU RECALL YOUR CONTEMPORARIES IN MUSIC, ESPECIALLY IN CHURCH DURING YOUR EARLY YEARS IN BENIN CITY?
Very well. I remember the likes of the late Majek Fashek, the late Mike Gasper of "POGO Limited" who was also a guitarist in the Church,
Ambassador Fanny Ikhayere Amun who later won the FIFA U-17 World Cup for Nigeria in Japan 1993 tried his hands on the guitar at the same church but his interest in sports (football) sort of over-shadowed his interest in music, hence he did not take music a career like we did.
YOU WERE KNOWN TO BE AN INTIMATE FRIEND OF THE LATE MAN OF GOD, PROPHET TB JOSHUA. FOR YEARS, YOU BOTH SEEMED QUITE INSEPARABLE?
Yes, the late Prophet T.B Joshua was one of the men of God I was opportuned to be close to. Some are dead now while others are still alive and waxing strong.
TB Joshua was one of a kind. Those who knew him can attest to his prowess with healings, deliverances and prophecies that drew thousands of worshippers to his church from far and wide.
IN WHAT ROLE DID YOU FUNCTION IN HIS CHURCH WHEN YOU WORKED WITH HIM?
I was in charge of anything sound and equipments.
HOW DID YOU TAKE THE NEWS OF TB JOSHUA'S DEATH?
As a person I felt sad but also I took solace in the word of God in Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 which says, "to everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven:
2. A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted;
Death is an inevitable end to all mortals, hence we must endeavour to live a life that's pleasing to God
HIS WELL HERALDED HUMANITARIAN GESTURES, AS WELL AS HIS SPIRIT-INSPIRED MIRACLES DREW CROWDS IN THEIR NUMBERS FROM ALL OVER THE GLOBE. HOW WAS IT POSSIBLE FOR HIM TO MANAGE THESE?
Prophet T.B Joshua had a well managed internal mechanism in handling all of his affairs.
OPINION STILL REMAINS DIVIDED ABOUT WHETHER HE WAS A GENUINE MAN OF GOD OR NOT. DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO SAY TO THIS?
My response will be taken from the book of Matthew 7:13-18 which says,
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.
14. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.
15. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.
16. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles?
17. Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
18. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
WHAT DO YOU FEEL THE LATE PROPHET TB JOSHUA WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR?
He will be remembered by different people for different things. Depending on individual perspective based on their personal encounter and experiences with him.
WAS IT AFTER TB JOSHUA'S DEATH YOU ESTABLISHED YOUR OWN CHURCH OR IT CAME LONG BEFORE HE DIED?
I left T.B Jashua and last saw him on the 30th of December 2007. I started my Ministry in 2010 and T.B Joshua passed on on the 5th of June 2021. There was 14 years void between us, so his death could not have been the reason I was called into ministry by God
IS YOUR CHURCH A BRANCH OF SYNAGOGUE OR IT HAS A COMPLETE IDENTITY OF IT'S OWN?
My Ministry "Seed of Abraham International Christian Centre -SAICC" has no relationship of any kind with T.B Joshua's ministry
IN MUSIC, YOU SUPPORTED A LOT OF UP AND COMING STARS LIKE THE LATE MAJEK FASHEK AND OTHERS. WHAT WAS THE EXPERIENCE LIKE?
To the glory of God I have used the talent God blessed me with to contribute to the success stories of several artists, both locally and internationally, super stars and up coming.
Artists such as, Majek Fashek, The Mandators, Ras Kimono, Evi Edna Ogholi, Orits Williki, Evang. Sonny Okosuns, Onyeka Onwenu, Christy Essien Igbokwe, Buchi, Righteousman, Lucky Dube, Lester Lewis (A Jamaican) and several others too numerous to mention
HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO PRODUCE ANY ALBUM TO YOUR NAME?
I have released a couple of works (Albums) such as "Cool 'N' Deadly" which was released by Tabansi Records.
"Harvest of Victory" released by Aitivie Records.
"Heal Our land" released on my personal label (Fruitful-Vine Rekords) and many more.
ANY KNOWN ARTISTE THAT YOU CAN CALL YOUR PRODUCT LATELY?
We are all God's product
IN WHICH CHURCH DO YOU PASTOR AT THIS MOMENT?
By the special grace of God i currently pastor "Seed of Abraham International Christian Centre -SAICC" which is based in Lagos
AS A CHRISTIAN, DO YOU BELIEVE IN MIRACLES, ESPECIALLY IN THE LIGHT OF CLAIMS IN CERTAIN QUARTERS THAT THEY DON'T EXIST?
As a child of God, I believe in miracles because God has always been and is still doing miracle. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
For there to be fake miracle is an attestation of the fact that there is genuine miracle because one can only fake what exists ( Fake is the act of pretending to be original)
THE CONCEPT OF DENOMINATION HAS TENDED TO DIVIDE THE CHURCH OVER TIME WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON IT?
I don't practice or believe denomination, rather I believe in ones personal relationship with God Almighty
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE APPEARED TO SLOW DOWN THE PROGRESS OF THE COUNTRY'S ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY?
Lack of organized structure as well as government nonchallant attitude towards the entertainment industry
ARTISTES ARE OFTEN SEEN TO BE ENMESHED IN SCANDALS AND CONTROVERSIES AT DIFFERENT STAGES IN THEIR CAREERS. IN YOUR OPINION, IS IT POSSIBLE FOR AN ARTISTE OR ENTERTAINER TO GO THROUGH A WHOLE CAREER WITH NO STAIN TO HIS NAME?
Yes. It is possible. The late Sir Victor Uwaifo never had any scandal, same as the late Evangelist Sonny Okosuns. Also I can't remember Chief Ebenezer Obey being ever involved in any scandal.
Like I said before, in every sector of human endeavour you will find "the good" "the bad" and "the ugly"
It is not peculiar to the entertainment industry
CAN THE USE OF DRUGS BE COMPLETELY BE ERADICATED FROM THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY?
Humanly, No. But with God, all things are possible.
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