With so much money and power circulating around the Elumelu name? But this is one Elumelu who, though very proud of the name, confesses that it is sometimes a draw-back.
Aju Elumelu is one person you wouldn’t just ignore.
You want to know who this charming lady is and what she does for a living. Getting close, you’ll discover there is something foreign about her. Her accent and dress sense tell it all: She just dropped in. Though friendly and exciting to be with, she loves music and she does that alongside her secular work in the US where she resides. Here in Nigeria, she performed at events, anytime she’s around.
In an interview with her at the weekend,she tells you all about who she is , about her upcoming reality television show and lots more.
Excerpt:
Growing up days:
Growing up was very interesting with 16 children in the household and with 16 different characters; you find out that amongst the 16 children, you have your best friend in the family. At times, it was tempestuous with different dramas here and there but one gelling factor amongst all of us was our father Chief Morgan Elumelu, who was the world’s greatest daddy of all time. My father was a hands- on father and he thought me honour, integrity, compassion towards the less priviledge. He taught me the full meaning of hardwork, he thought me strength, and the ability to withstand what ever curve ball that life dealts me and above all, my father taught me the fear of God. These qualities are what I apply in my daily life and I thank God for the gift of my dad who was responsible for the molding of my character.
What do you do in the USA?
Having lived in the USA since, my teenage years, I have done all types of jobs up to being a cashier which was the fun of growing up in America. I have especially worked in corporate America with Fortune 500 CEOs. I have also, worked as a nurse at an infectious disease unit where I take care of HIV/ AIDS patients. No matter what, I have to continue to maintain my nursing license and I choose to volunteer in some medical facilities. For now, I do music full time because music is my first love and I find myself gravitating towards the entertainment field. Right now, I have signed an MoU with DAARSAT to start my own reality television show and I thank God for His mercies.
How long have you lived in the USA
I first arrived the USA in 1978 where I lived with my older sister. I then came back to Nigeria and after some years, I took off again to stay permanently.
What challenges do you encounter in the USA
Life in itself is a challenge, and no matter where you are, so long as you are breathing, you will encounter so many challenges even in Nigeria. Some people pass through America and America does not pass through them. Having gone there at a young age, I immersed myself in all aspects of the country and America is the greatest country in the world in terms of opportunities and I knew at an early age, that I had to avail myself to those opportunities. And the greatest challenge that I had was competing with myself in trying to work hard to get the best that America has to offer.
Are you thinking of settling down in Nigeria.
Of course that has crossed my mind and I am working very hard so that when I do come back finally, I would have something to do.
Are you married?
Who cares if AJU Elumelu is married or not? I think we have bigger issues to worry about rather, than AJU’s personal life. Who really cares if AJU is married? Let us solve the problems of electricity in Nigeria and our greatest problem of all, the abandonment of our greatest human resources, the Nigerian Youths. My heart goes out to them.
You look cute, who is the guy in your life now.
Did you say cute? I thought I am beautiful (laugh) just kidding. I appreciate your complement. Who is the guy in Aju’s life? You go see am later , slow down now.
What do you do to enhance your beauty and physique?
I drink a lot of water that in itself makes the skin glow. I do not use make up except when I go on stage. I have never taken or tasted any alcohol, and I do 6 miles walk on a daily basis except on Sundays. My exercise is the key to my physique. It energizes me and clears my head during this walk.
My challenges in Nigeria
My greatest challenge is the fact that you never get anything on merit. Some men do not look at what you have upstairs and they assume that all women are for sale. It is a great turn-off to hear sexual comments and insinuations directed towards me, while you are trying to remain focused on the reasons that brought you in front of them in the first place. It has been an eye opener to know that these things still exist in this century. The lack of electricity is truly a time waster. You take 10hrs trying to accomplish a task that would ordinarily take a click of button. We must, as a nation, improve this power problem. It has become ridiculous.
Why did you stay so long on this trip?
I have a lot of projects going on in Nigeria and this has delayed my going back somewhat. I have been auditioning for my reality show coming up soon. Added to that, I have to find the right location to shoot and most of all, I have been holding talks with prospective sponsors. Earlier this year, I came to record a new Album for the Nigeria market titled Yes I Can ! and during this visit, I have equally been doing the promo for my number one single Dance All Night.
Talk about your Music / your repackaging.
Since 2000, I have been coming to this country on a regular basis. People who had a chance to listen to my music commented that it sounded foreign. I found a producer in Nigeria to produce my album for the Nigerian market, with some language infusion hence, the title Yes I Can ! was given to this album. I thank God for the acceptance of this album. There is a lot of work to be done with respect to promotion, marketing and circulation. I am yet to fully find my feet and embark on massive promotion and marketing. I have to rely on some experts in this field, with respect to the do’s & don’ts and I am most grateful for those that have their doors open for me to call at anytime and ask questions whenever I am fuzzy on any issue that concerns the music industry in Nigeria.
What is this reality show about and on what network?
Where do I start? I started writing my script since 2006 and my daughter who is so talented, started editing and adding on. (you know kids run the entertainment industry right now). The show is about relationship and in the middle segment comes the serious stuff. I believe that the Youths of Nigeria have been ignored and abandoned for so long and I am trying to make a difference in my own little way.
The show will be on our one and only DAARSAT. DAAR is the owner and operator of African Independent television, Ray power, DAARSAT and other multi-mediaplat form. I was relieved that the MOU was signed between DAARSAT and AJU Global Media Ltd (which is the company that presents the show). I thank God at last for making this happen because I am going to have the chance to finally in my own little way, advance the lives of the Nigerian youths. So, everyone, when we start airing please support this show.
What informs your dress sense?
I love to wear nice things but I am not ostentatious. if you bring 1000 ladies, I bet I will be easily spotted-not because I dress expensively, but because I dare to be different. In everything I do in my life, I will rather, be original than perfect. I spend a lot of money designing the clothes I perform with but, outside the stage and when all the glitters are off, my individual fashion sense takes over. My taste is just so different from everybody’s but that gives me attention wherever I go.
I found out that you are Elumelu, I bet your last name opens a lot of doors for you?
You have gone to a topic that aggravates and infuriates me. People believe that with my last name, that I am flowing with money. As God is my witness with that last name, I have to work 100 times harder than the next artist. Nobody wants to give me sponsorship, no institution wants to loan me money, and nobody is willing to lend even a helping hand. They believe that I have access to a lot of money just because of the name Elumelu. My father, Chief Morgan Elumelu built that name and left it stainless, so that I will have the privilege to bear it with pride, honour and without shame. I am confessing now that most of the things that I am applying for in this country, I have to leave my last name out. This is a sore topic for me because I have been so marginalized more than I can ever imagine because of my last name. Which my father, grand father and my fore fathers bore with pride and left for us untainted.
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