7th December, 2012
Mrs. D.A Fashoyin, a member of the acclaimed singing group, Good Women’s Choir, tells Entertainment Cafe the story of their mega-hit, Odun Nlo S’opin, and explains why church titles are of little importance
How do you feel about the enduring nature of Odun Nlo Sopin?
It’s been great. The fact that it has touched so many lives gives us great joy. More so, the demand for the song hasn’t stopped till date and I’ve lost count of the number of copies that we’ve sold.
You must have made a lot of money from the sales of the album.
It doesn’t work that way. The money from the albums belongs to the group and that’s what we use for movement here and there.
Did you envisage that the song would be a big hit?
Not at all. I don’t compose our songs, the group does. We all sat down and wrote the song just like every other song, but God just made the song what it is today.
What difficulties did you encounter while recording Odun Nlo Sopin?
We did not have any difficulty whatsoever.
Wasn’t it your first album?
No. Our first album was Halleluyah O Halle, which was released in April 1977. Odun Nlo Sopin was released in 1979. Till date, we have about twenty-five albums to our credit.
Is every member of the choir still alive?
Of course, yes. We are all hale and hearty.
Does it mean you have not gone through any challenge over the years?
There isn’t any gospel musician that doesn’t have challenges because the devil will not want you to release any album since he believes that you might be killing him indirectly. So, fighting the devil has been our greatest challenge.
Where has this song taken the group to?
I just returned from Jerusalem, that’s the only time I’ve been outside the country.
How rewarding has singing been for you?
We don’t record for money and when you invite us, we don’t charge. As I said, the money is used for the gospel.
When should we expect your next album?
We’re releasing one this week. It contains live performances of every member of the choir when we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the release of Odun Nlo Sopin. We are releasing a documentary on the group.
How have you been able to cope with your colleagues?
We’re all dedicated and we know what we’re doing so, there hasn’t been any problem with anybody.
How supportive was your husband?
He’s been very supportive. He was the home-keeper those days whenever I wasn’t at home and he’s still alive. I live with one of my children in Lagos now.
Were you born in Ibadan or you moved there?
I was born in Oyo, but my husband is from Ibadan.
What would you have done if you hadn’t become a musician?
I believe I was destined to become a musician because I started singing since I was very young. I taught in a school for many years before facing music squarely.
Are your children into music?
They also have interest in singing because they were my back-up singers when I recorded two singles recently.
Is there future for gospel music in the country?
If people can stick to the things of God, I see a great future.
What is your advice to upcoming gospel artistes?
They should study the scripture very well and pray very hard because the devil will stand in their way. They shouldn’t just release any nonsense; they should also study their environment before releasing songs.
Do you have any regret in life?
Not at all. This is because I have Christ.
Are you fulfilled?
Whenever I listen to our songs being played on the streets, I feel fulfilled and joy fills my heart.
At 73, do you still have any ambition?
I had only one assignment when I was leaving Ibadan, but when I got to Lagos, I had eight others added to it. So, I’m starting all over again.
What are those assignments?
I attend Daystar Christian Centre and I’m the Golden Mothers’ President there. I’m a distributor of Word for Today. I’m an intercessor and I also act… I can’t remember others now.
What do you want Evangelist D. A. Fasoyin to be remembered for?
Who told you that I’m a Lady Evangelist? Who ordained me? All those titles won’t take me to heaven so why should I stick to such? Anyway, I want to be remembered as one who impacted so much into people’s lives.
—Damilare Okunola