Let's Chat with Wunmi Abe...?
It is a new
year, probably a time to write new year resolutions. But for me, I kick off
this year with this exclusive interview with an extraordinary lady who has won
my heart over with her love for God. Wunmi Conga, like I fondly prefer to call
her is full of energy and excitement. I enjoyed chatting with her, and I
couldn't stop laughing throughout our conversation. I kept laughing. When I
finally met her in person, I was awed by her simplicity and genuine desire to
simply praise God and bring down the presence of God in worship.
Wunmi Abe
is happily married, a mother of three, and has a masters in human resources. She is
not one of those persons who want to be at the front. She prefers to work magic
behind the curtain. She is a worshiper at heart who is crazy for God. Indeed,
she has a big time passion to worship, to praise and impact the youths.
Since her
music reaches out to people across diverse races, and I know that my American
friends cannot get over the song, I asked what her inspiration is with
"Dance For you", Wunmi says
her dream is to sing songs to impact people, songs that young people are crazy
about. She describes how the inspiration to sing Conga came about; "I sat down with my manager and we just started
singing, conga came to mind. God reminded me to stop dancing secular songs, and
since good beats gets me dancing, so I thought I would sing a song with a good
beat that can get everyone dancing too. Hahahahahaha... Actually, I had written
the lyrics months ahead.
What is unique about the kind of music
you do?
Laughing,
Wunmi responded, "I listen to great musicians, not purely Nigerian
musicians. I want my music to be diverse
though it has a Nigerian feel to it. I don't just want to be a Nigerian artist,
I want to do something that cuts across the world.
What's your favorite perfume?
"I'm
not a perfume person. I'm not eccentric. I just look good". So, now you
know, when next you want to buy sister Wunmi a gift, don't buy her perfumes. She
loves shoes. Lol. Just saying.
What is your vision?
I believe
that I am called out to young girls, rape victims, pregnant young women. I am
not called to everyone. I hope to impact the younger generation such that they
will know that serving God is fun, and you can be trendy as a christian
When asksed what's something people don't know
about her. Wunmi laughs and says, you mean something crazy? "Hahahaha...
Truth is I say what's on my mind. I'm not wishywashy. What you see is what you
get. I am adventurous but not
spontaneous". The most most adventourous places she loves are Egypt
because of the pyramids, Israel, where Jesus walked.
What is your secret to success?
"Wunmi music wasn't set up to make money
initially. My secret fomular is God. He will tell you what to do. You would
need discipline too - put your all in it. Excellence is key to success, no
mediocrity. God is a God of excellence. Love is my working formula, I might not
like you but I have to love you, and finally, be at peace with all".
Giving a word of advice to young people out
there, Wunmi says "love God. Love God for all because at the end of the
day we will still run back to Him, we answer to God. Know God and serve Him
with all your heart".
Click on this video to listen to her music...
