You may have seen her on some local television channels doing what female Gospel artistes do, praising God, swaying to the beat, hands raised above her head in a supplicatory gesture, stylish headgear crowning a smiling visage and generally giving the impression of one at peace with his creator and fellow humans.
Singing lustily with supporting string and percussive instruments oftentimes against a backdrop of lush greenery, blossoming flowers or a cascading waterfall, such settings recreate and depict some kind of bliss evoking paradise. And for many such Gospel artistes, making heaven is a fait accompli, a done deal.
But right now, Oba Bamike Adeyemi aka OBA is here on earth and will be coordinating a project no one has ever seen her perform on screen before. The project, she told THEWILL, is “50-10-50 activate” to run for 10 weeks beginning this October. “50-10-50 activate” isn’t so randomly named. Bamike will be 50 on December 10 which represents the number of weeks the programme will run. The last 50 is the number of young people to be mentored in music, song writing, vocal lessons, choreography and poetry.
50-10-50 activate project “is a give back project aimed to empower young creative minds who are passionate about serving God and fuelling humanity with their unique and authentic creative brilliance,” Bamike told the newspaper via WhatsApp last week. “It is an opportunity for me to transfer, release and empower others for greatness and impact.”
As it stands, OBA is very much prepared for her mentorship role in the forthcoming 50-10-50 project. Self-described as a “multi influential expressionist,” she is also a motivational and inspirational teacher who trained under the John Maxwell Team – one of the world’s foremost leadership groups. Then, there is an already existing structure Bamike OBA Mentoring Academy – an online learning hub she heads. A certified coach on Relationship/ Marriage from the Institute of Marriage and Family Affairs USA, an alumnus of Daystar Executive Leadership Academy, Bamike is more than certain to see her pet project through from start to finish.
“It is an equipping project to build the next generation of creative artists,” says the musician, “so that they are well grounded to use their creative genius for impact and social change.” Asked whether the time allotted to the programme – a mere 10 weeks – might not be sufficient enough to make professionals of her intended mentees, she disagreed, insisting that it isn’t “a crash programme.” Besides, there will be a number of lecturers and experts (in music, relationships, leadership and emotional intelligence) to help train the young people for that duration.
The 50 participants, according to Bamike, “will undergo intensive training in guitar playing, songwriting and poetry/ eulogy mastery.” She describes herself as a “master communicator,” a designation, title that will come handy when the project commences this month.
Pretty much in demand in churches and concerts these days, OBA started off her musical career in 2002 with her very first album “Simply Divine” including tracks such as “Ilu mi Nigeria” translated as Nigeria is my Home. Another, “AKODA,” what she calls her “sophomore project” followed 10 years later, making one wonder why her muse tarried for so long. But she came visiting soon enough, leading OBA to compose and come out with a song titled “Were Were” in 2012. Her latest effort, she says, “will be a collaboration with Nathaniel Bassey and featuring Chandler Moore.” The same trio performed it first in 2020 and the musical video promo of that collabo is on Youtube.
Not having the privilege of watching her life concerts, we turned to Youtube for any of her recordings. We found AKODA, a six-minute exhortative praise and worship rendition in Yoruba and English language. Give Bamike some credit for her singing prowess, her comportment and sense of style. Rather than outdoors, OBA staged the performance indoors in a clinically-clean studio-type room – complete with drummers, guitarists, keyboardist and backup singers all of them dressed to match as you find in highlife bands of yore.
In this particular video, Bamike herself is wearing a light green-coloured dress with puffed lace sleeves and very simple earrings and not the garish bangles favoured by much younger female artistes in other genres. There is a certain sense of maturity in AKODA that you can readily identify with a singer her age. Bamike was 40 when AKODA was released in 2012.
Golden jubilee is a turning point in life for most people, a time to reflect on what has gone before, what to do now, plans and expectations for the future. Like most ambitious people her age, Bamike has her hands full with both professional aspirations and private expectations. Focusing on shaping the lives of young ones through music, vocal and singing lessons is a commendable enough project. After all, some Nigerian celebs make a public splash at such occasions – swank parties in pricey hotels with a phalanx of entertainment reporters in tow, a much publicised birthday jaunt to Dubai or any high-end hotel in a European capital and the mandatory shopping at glitzy boutiques for that rare Balenciaga gown or nifty Manolo Blahnik pump.
For Bamike, there isn’t anything of such. No unforgettable poolside soirees in Lekki or VGC, no hedonistic display at canopied event centres at Ikeja or Surulere. Of course, there will be gifts and great wishes for turning 50. But Bamike will spend much of her time, as we now know, instructing young ones looking forward to learning more about music.
The 50-10-50 project isn’t all about teaching younger ones the art of singing, dancing or even composing music. On the day in question, Bamike will gift herself a new album launch and celebration concert called Reemergence. The implication is not lost on discerning folk and fans. The last time anyone one of her fans saw her with a new one was eight years ago. With this concert and album launch, Bamike seems to be telling her fans that, yes, she is back and will be surely be better.
Michael Jimoh is a Nigerian journalist with many years experience in print media. He is currently a Special Correspondent with THEWILL.
