UCHE AGHULOR; A CLASSICAL MUSICIAN REPRESENTING IKA NATION AND NIGERIA AT THE GLOBAL STAGE.
In the geographical landscape, Ika nation could be likened to a dot in the map of Nigeria. But the people, in material terms, have through hard work, planning, improvising established themselves in all sectors-finance, science/technology, sports, music and education among others. Appreciably also, Ika people daily manifest signs of a group that have left behind third world challenges of illiteracy and poverty, to become a successful centre for the dissemination and distribution of best human capital resources across the nation.
Uche Aghulor, an Ekuku-Agbor, Ika South Local Area classical singer, recording artist and educator, is the latest example of such illustrious daughter currently doing Ika land proud at the global stage.
Recently, Ika Weekly Newspaper as part of its cardinal objectives of identifying, and celebrating talent from Ika nation, spoke exclusively with Uche, shortly after she finished a concert on Saturday June 2, 2024, in Rome.
Uche, in that interview, of which part was published in Ika Weekly’s last edition, explained that the concert was on Nigerian sacred and folk songs at one of the Nigerian parishes in one of the very few Nigerian communities in Rome.
Also, very encouraging and of course, a good reason why the young talent should be supported and celebrated is the awareness that on the 15th of June, she will be in the United Kingdom (UK), for her maiden Epic concert in London.
Uche’s admonition to the youths and upcoming generation is another important part of the interview. To copiously quote her, she said in parts; Whatever you do, put your mind, your heart and your soul into it and God will bless the work of your hands. Focus on your hustle. There’s no fast way out of it. You have to do the work. There’s no shortcut to life. You have to put in the hours. That’s my advice especially to the young people. There’s no shortcut and no quick fix. You have to pull in the hours.
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Uche also urged intending musicians to reach out and follow her on Instagram or YouTube channel via; (uche Aghulor/uchegold)
Find below, the concluding part of the interview;
Ika Weekly: from what we read about you, there is this information that you went to perform in Rome. How true is that statement?
Answer: Well, it’s very true. As a matter of fact, we just finished a concert on, June 2nd. We did a concert on Nigerian sacred and folk songs at one of the Nigerian parishes in one of the Nigerian communities here in Rome. I organized this as a way of bringing those of us from the US who have come on trips here in Rome to be able to identify with the Nigerian community.
As a way of cultural awareness and a way of understanding the Nigerian language and culture. It was a very short concert but it had in attendance, people from the pontifical institute and other institutions here in Rome, the Nigerian community in that particular neighborhood and environs.
So, they were all in attendance and it was a very beautiful concert which they really appreciated. I thank God for the initiative to be able to put all that together for them over there.
Ika Weekly: So, in a simple language, what was the experience like to you personally?
Answer: Well, it was a historic one. I don’t think anything like that has been done there. It’s two ways. For my people coming from the US, for my colleagues, it’s an experience they’ve never had; being able to identify with the Nigerian people. Someone was asking me ‘what kind of rice is this?’ and it took a while for him to be able to call it jollof rice. I said ‘its jollof rice’.
And for them to be able to learn to sing in Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba, it’s a fun exercise for them. Ever, so often, you hear people speaking of Africa like a country. Opportunities like this, provide a better understanding for foreigners on how diverse the continent is.
For a lot of people, it was about enlightenment, entertainment and enrichment for the soul as well. It was all encompassing.
Ika Weekly: What message do you have for aspiring musicians, particularly the youths?
Answer: I would say follow your dream, follow your passion. Take the risk now that you are young. Reach out to people who are above you. Do all you can to take the risks. It’s easy to give up honestly. The easiest thing is to say ‘I’m tired, I can’t go on any longer ‘. It’s harder to say ‘I will succeed, come what may’. I want to see this through to the end.
I have had so many reasons to say ‘I don’t want this anymore. I just want to live my life like this and like that’. But at the end of the day, I look back in time and I see all that by God’s grace, I’ve been able to achieve and I say ‘This was worth it’. On the 15th of June, we’ll be in the UK, for my maiden of Epic concert in London. I’ll say that you cannot know the end from the beginning before you start the journey.
So, when I look back at where I’m coming from, my days at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Agbor, St. John the Baptist, going from one choir rehearsal to the other, this wasn’t part of what I saw. But by God’s grace, hard work, determination, and support, I’ve been able to reach here. And I’ll also say you need more hard work than you need your talent.
Some people will say I’m not that good, I’m not this good, it doesn’t matter. Hard Work counts more than talent. If you’re talented but don’t work hard, there’s nothing for you. So, work hard, work smart.
Ika Weekly: Final message for the audience, particularly those at home in Agbor?
Answer: Whatever you do, put your mind, your heart and your soul into it and God will bless the work of your hands. Focus on your hustle. There’s no fast way out of it. You have to do the work. There’s no shortcut to life. You have to put in the hours. That’s my advice especially to the young people. There’s no shortcut and no quick fix. You have to pull in the hours.
Ika Weekly: How do you think the intended musicians can reach you?
Answer: They can follow me on Instagram or follow my YouTube channel. It’s just Uchegold/UcheAwolor.