AYO: Tungba Gospel Singer Breaks New Ground
HIS name sounds like the way toddlers call their fathers. Ayo Salihu is a musician destined to go extra miles in the Christian gospel music arena.
Today, his struggle for several years as a fast rising star has paid off. Salihu against all odds, has launched his own musical band called New Dawn Tungba Gospel Music in Kabba, headquarter of Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area, Kogi State.
Another cheering news about Ayo is that every Kogite and indeed all Nigerians will dust their dancing shoes to dance away their sorrows to his elucitating musical album ready to hit the ever flourishing entertainment chart soon. The journey of this young promising star, is not different from others of his colleagues who have been in one profession before crossing into music.
The New dimension to Tungba Music sensation was trained as fine artist and teacher of men, but he strongly believes that his talent lies in music.
Ayo whose kind of music is a diverse involving of juju, highlife and gospel juju, explained that it was inspiration from God and through the rave of the moment in Tungba Gospel Music, Yinka Ayefele that he got this purpose-driven direction. ‘He is my mentor’ he said.
In a chat with The Graphic Entertainment in Kabba, Ayo disclosed that his stint with music which spans a decade, he started as a choir master at Ila Apostolic Church. He received some training at the Music Department , Federal College of Education, Okene and The Pathfinder Musical Band led by Pastor Oloniyo.
The multi-talented singer is a source of inspiration to his generation. He has brought joy shrouded in spirituality to homes that are thirsty for moral reconstruction. The music appeals to diverse levels of audience from the market women, children, aged and ranging to a high class diplomat.The man of Kogi State was outstanding and cynosure of all eyes during his recent seven-day performance tour of Southern Africa. He is fulfilled, model and an indefatigable performer on the stage. Speaking about the Entertainment Industry, Ayo said the industry is better than before. Right now we are making a lot of impact around the world; there is more recognition and fast growth with a lot of potentials” he stressed. When asked about any shortcomings in the industry,Ayo lamented that the shortcomings has to do with the problem of piracy, According to him, activities of pirates have brought the industry to its knees, and this has in turn, affected artistes grossly. In his wisdom, he advised urged the agencies for fighting piracy to double their effort and curtail the menace up.