I WENT TO LASU FOR SELF-DEVELOPMENT –– PASUMA

I went to LASU for self-development –– Pasuma
By OLABISI DEJI-FOLUTILE
Friday, 13 Aug 2010
MAY we know your academic background?
I attended Muslim Mission Primary School, Mushin, Lagos State, between 1973 and 1979. Then we used to spend complete six years in primary school. It’s unlike these days when you can go to secondary school in Primary Five. From there, I moved to Nigeria Model High School, Idi-Oro, Mushin, and was there between 1979 and 1984. Since then, I have been pursuing my musical career. I didn’t go to any higher institution until I became a star. I later went to the Lagos State University to learn communication skills and how to relate with my fans.
What was your experience as a pupil in a community primary school in those days?
I was still young then. I started school at six years old. I would dress up in the morning, my mother would give me money to school; life then was simple. We just moved from home to school. Sometimes, we would go to the field to play football. I loved to play football a lot, such that I even thought I would become a professional footballer.
Did you also do this among your friends?
Ah, I did that very well. There was a woman in front of our school gate who sold rice, beans and dodo (fried plantain). We called at her shop every morning before going into the school compound. Sometimes when we got to school late, the prefects would prevent us from entering the school compound unless we were given some strokes of the cane and because I wouldn’t want the prefects to beat me, I would just stay with the woman selling rice till closing time. After school, I would just go back home, pretending as if I learnt something in school. I did this until one day when my father asked me to show him what I did in school that day. There was nothing to show him because I didn’t attend class. He gave me some serious beating in return. My father was educated, and he was a general manager of a company in Apapa, Lagos. Consequently, he wanted all his children to have university education; he wanted us to be doctors, professors and lawyers, so he was really strict with us. That was how I stopped the habit of staying away from class. I realised that it was better to allow the prefects to beat me than to receive my daddy’s beatings.
What was your best food in school?
I love rice and beans from childhood, but I stopped eating beans when I discovered that I was allergic to it. Even now, I can eat rice three times a day for a whole week. I only change my diet just for the sake of it.
What was your best subject in school?
I loved maths a lot.
What did you find interesting in maths?
I just loved the subject. I remember I also loved English Language and Biology.
At what point did you decide to pursue a career in music?
Actually, when I was in secondary school, during inter-house sports, I and some friends would gather together and sang for those participating in different games. Of course, I was just singing for fun then, but the year I left secondary school was the year Wasiu Ayinde released the album titled, Talazo Disco (Tala ’84). The album was everywhere and I just thought that I, too, could sing. So, I decided to go into music.
Were you ever involved in inter-house sports?
I played football for my school. It was called the Principal’s Cup. We went to UAC Stadium (now Teslim Balogun Stadium) in Surulere. It was very interesting. I felt good playing football. Things were rosy then. I had friends and I wasn’t thinking of any responsibility.
Who was your best friend? Are you still in touch with your school mates now?
I am in touch with just two of them. One of them, Tunde Fajobi, is in the United States now; while Kemi Ajetumobi is in England. I still keep in touch with both of them.
What course did you study at the Lagos State University and how was life on campus?
I read English at LASU. I had Diploma in English Language. I didn’t go to the university to obtain certificate; I just went there to learn how to communicate with my fans. You know, as a star, I appear on TV shows and interact with people from various segments of the society. I should be seen to be up to the task, you know. I also attended LASU to learn how to behave towards my fans. I did a part-time course in the English Language Department and I was there for just one year.
Why did you opt for just a diploma course? Do you plan to go for a degree programme later?
I opted for a diploma course because that was what I could afford to do, considering my busy schedule. For now, I don’t think I can spare the time to go for a degree programme. I have many things to do: I am busy with rehearsals, shows and tours, and I am satisfied with the diploma course. One of the reasons for going to the university was to prove to people that Fuji musicians are not miscreants; that Fuji is not gutter music and that one can be educated and at the same time be a Fuji musician.
Were you a happening guy at LASU? Did you have friends among the students?
I had a few friends, but I wasn’t someone you would describe as the ‘happening guy’ on campus. In fact, I was usually very careful. I made sure I went from my car straight to class. If I hadn’t done that, I would have had to spend much money, because once people recognise me, I would have to drop something.
Did you face any form of harassment, particularly from female students/fans?
I won’t call it harassment. In most cases, the girls would be waiting for me outside the class to obtain my autograph. People might want to see that as harassment but you know, it is a way of showing that they appreciate me.
What was your relationship with your lecturers?
Sola Fosudo was my lecturer. He was always troubling me. Sometimes, he would just come to class and ask me to stand up for no reason. Then he would tell the other students that he just wanted them to know that I was also his student. He was also a good adviser; he always encouraged me that I took a good decision by coming to LASU.
How did you prepare for examinations, considering your busy schedule?
It was tough, but I am an indoor person and that helped me a lot. Any time from 10pm, I am in my house and I don’t receive visitors any time from 8pm. Once it was 10pm, I would just retire into my room and read for two hours before going to bed.
Was thers instructions.
If you want to advise your fans, what advice will you give them?
I have already done that in one of my albums. I will tell them to go to school and be educated. It is very important. Today, I am a prominent musician in Nigeria, and I have no regrets. I am proud to be a musician.
Have you met any of your teachers either in primary or secondary school after graduation?
I still look forward to meeting any of them. I have never met anyone who told me that he/she was my teacher. Perhaps when they see me on television, they tell people around that I was once their pupil, I don’t know; but I sincerely look forward to meeting any of them.