The fuji maestro who was born 57 years ago in 1957 had the celebrations at his multi-million naira mansion in Ogun state which had many dignitaries in attendance says March 3, 2014, was a very significant day in the history of his life as the turned a year older.
In this interview with Encomium, Kwam 1 speaks on how he feels at 57, his wealth, daughters’ wedding.
Excerpts
On how he feels celebrating 57
I am very happy for so many reasons. First, I was born on March 3, 1957, and I am 57 today. That alone is a big honour. Born 1957 and clocking 57, you can understand what I mean.
Looking back 10 years ago, what were the things you’re doing then that you can’t do again?
So many things. Even the way you react to situations, your utterances and everything you do must be very different because 57 is not just one age by the corner. It’s a big milestone. And you wouldn’t like to see yourself as a failure. If you’re unable to pack yourself together at 57, then you’re as good as a goner.
On his greatest achievement at 57?
A lot of great achievements. Basically, the Almighty God has been able to see me through the present situation I am in my musical career. Anytime I see the younger ones referring to me as Baba, I ask myself, ‘what is it exactly?’ And the guy referring to me as Baba is just 32 which is obvious I have his age mates among my children. So, if he refers to me as ‘Baba’, basically he knows what he is saying. To me, that’s the greatest achievement.
Also, if your relevance is still very much potent, it’s a great achievement. And I enjoy the very best of health. I am not diabetic, I am not hypertensive. So many ailments a lot of people may be battling for 10 years, I thank God I am a healthy person. Except the situation of 2009 when I had to go for the correction of my lungs, which was successful. I also saw it as a very big achievement because many people had the same thing but they were unable to tell their stories themselves.
A lot of people believe K1 is very rich, can you tell us how rich you are?
I don’t know what people mean by being rich. If living comfortably and setting certain standards for yourself is what people refer to as being rich, then I am glad I am one. In terms of liquid cash, I have a job that could fetch me whatever amount I may need within the short moment. And on a long term, I have repertoire that can fetch me a lot of returns. And I am still very much in contention. Promoters of music still find my door step a place they could invest a huge amount. So, it continues like that. Not about the amount I have in my account. I have set a standard of living for myself and I am enjoying it.
How do you feel giving the hands of three of your daughters out in marriage almost at the same time?
I feel great. I am happy and fulfilled. I feel extremely joyful and great. I am so happy because it coincided with an unforgettable date, the date that probably comes once in one’s life time. 3-3-57 can’t come twice. I was born on March 3, 1957, which is 57 years ago. I gave out three of my daughters’ hands in marriage. That has been a very fantastic record so far. It’s a thing of joy. Idayat, who is a councilor at Lagos East Local Government was the first to wed on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 followed by Ameenat on Thursday, March 6. Then, Sekinat rounded it off on Sunday, March 9, 2014. They are all graduates. I trained them very well. I am very happy about that.
You planned it that way or it was just a coincidence?
Honestly, it wasn’t planned that way. We’re only planning one, then the second person said she was ready as well. Then, the third also said she was ready. I was expecting the third daughter to say no but she said she was also ready. May be, they all felt like so far this man has time now, why don’t we do everything at the same time, And the truth is that if we didn’t do everything now, my busy schedule would overtake them. I don’t know when next we could have done all the weddings. Election is coming up in Ekiti very soon, the same thing in Osun. It’s very obvious that I will be very much busy.
By the time we’re out of that, we’re moving up to very many other states for the campaign for general elections. I am connected to so many things here and there. I will also travel out of the country on a musical tour. I may probably not have chance until maybe the end of 2015.
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