I Started Primary School At 13

Waka Queen, Salawa Abeni recently made her comeback from a life-threatening illness. She spoke with BAYO ADETU and DAMILARE OKUNOLA on how she hit stardom among other issues

It has been a while since you were last seen on stage?

I’ve been sick for over four years and it has been a really tough time for me. I never envisaged that it was going to happen that way. What started like a child’s play became an ailment which almost defied all forms of treatment.

What was the nature of the ailment?

Funny enough, I was told by my doctor that the whole thing was as a result of stress and then, hypertension set in. I doubted it at first because I never thought stress alone would confine me to bed. I travelled to Paris, London and back to Nigeria for treatment. I was put on medication and I really thank God that I’m on my feet again.

How did the sickness start?

We had just finished three consecutive shows and got back to give every member of the band their shares. We finished with it and that was how it started. It started with headache and I felt a little bit paranoid. I called my doctor and he went with me to the hospital. It was afterwards that he told me that my blood pressure had risen, and then he discharged me after four days. Soon afterwards, the headache resurfaced and I started feeling weak. It was after this that I went to England but the doctor said that he could not diagnose anything, the same thing was said by the doctor in Paris but I told them that I was feeling weak. When I got back to Nigeria, I called some people around me, including the Lagos State government, telling them that I did not know what was wrong with me because it was getting out of hand. I was given drugs but the more I took the drugs, the weaker I became. After spending my money, the state government started spending on me as well. People wanted to know what was wrong with me after some time because I became bed-ridden. I was quite optimistic that I’d pull through but did not know how I was going to achieve that. Some people came to mock me, while some came to sympathise with me. One woman came to my house with N5,000 and was crying, asking God why I had to be in such a predicament and I cherished her a lot.

Was there any point when you thought that probably you were going to pass on?

Of course, yes. When I saw that many people had died in the industry coupled with the fact that the ailment was weakening me further despite all efforts to get back on my feet. But I give all Glory to God who kept me and put me back on my feet.

What role did your fellow musicians play when you were sick?

I called the late Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and told him that I did not know what was wrong with me. He asked for my address and he was at my place for about four hours. He said that I would not die before him and was also stressing that the sickness was not my portion.

Throughout all these, was Alhaji Kollignton Ayinla with you?

He was with me, though not at the initial stage. He was not aware until my son, Sheriff told him that I was sick. He called me to ask what happened and I told him. Four months later, he called me again, telling me that he heard in Koko Inu Iwe Iroyin (a Yoruba news programme),  that people were asked to pray for Salawa Abeni. It was then that he asked me if I was still sick and I answered in the affirmative. After about one year and two months, he came to check me. I asked him why he hated me so much despite the fact that I had three children for him but he said that he did not; it was just that he did not know that the ailment was that bad. We chatted and joked and then he left after a few hours.

What are you doing to keep yourself in good shape right now?

I’ve been religiously following the doctor’s advice since I got better. I was asked to swim regularly, and think less; they are things that I’ve been strictly adhering to. My doctor in Paris also asked me to walk frequently.

What have you been up to since your recovery?

I’ve been in the studio, working on my new album which will be released soon. The name and title, I don’t know yet but when the album comes out, you all shall see. We spent just about five sessions recording, mostly at night because that’s when my brain works faster.

You’ve been out of the spotlight for some time now, what do you have in the new album that is different from what you used to do?

It’s unique in its own way. Firstly, every member of the band was involved and then, you’ll get to listen to afro in waka music. Basically, those are the extra ingredients that are in the two-in-one album of eight tracks each.

What exactly did you sing about in the album?

I sang about the sickness and the fact that people thought that my career had ended. I also sang the praises of the people who have been my shield over the years especially the late Alhaji Ayinde Barrister. You just wait and see what the album will contain.

Do you think you are still relevant in the music industry?

You wait and see about that. When the album is released, you all will see if I’m still relevant or not. I did not create myself so I can’t tell you that. I really want to appreciate all my fans for their patience and their support throughout my trying period. I also want them to know that Salawa Abeni is back for real. They shouldn’t stop sending their advice and contact me whenever I err through all the means they’ve always used.

You’re one of the few Nigerian celebrities who hit stardom quite early, how did you manage the fame?

I don’t really know how it all happened because I was just 13 and was a maid at someone’s house. My dad just woke me up one morning and told me that I was going to live with someone in Igbogun in Ibeju-Lekki. That was how I went to live with the man and the headmaster of the school in the area insisted that I should be allowed to go to school. Then, I was enrolled in primary three at the age of thirteen, unlike many other kids and did not go beyond primary six in the school.

How do you feel about Alhaji Kollington Ayinla’s celebration of 50 years on stage?

It’s a good thing for him and I’m quite happy about that. I will be playing at an event that day in Sango, if not I’d have loved to attend the anniversary.