Exclusive:Popular Igbo Gospel Artiste Patti Obasi Dying..Needs N10m For Kidney Transplant

 INTERVIEW BY ADVOCATE

Famous gospel singer, Patty Obasi of the Nwa Mammy Water fame has been down with kidney failure and  his doctor said he would need not less than N10million to transplant his two failed kidneys in India. In this exclusive interview, he wants his Senator in the National Assembly, Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and other men of goodwill in Nigeria to quickly come to his rescue before something worse happens to him.

Excerpts:  

Many have not been hearing about you for some time now, and is as if many of your fans don't even know about your state of health. When did your illness start?

For over a year now, I've been in a bad state of health. The problem is kidney problem; holistic kidney problem. I don't know how it affects the body. But they said it affects the digestive organs or system. God has been helping me to survive; because according to the doctor, my two kidneys have failed, so what is keeping me alive must be God; prayer of the saints; that's how I feel.

What exactly did the doctor say after diagnosing this ailment?

He said all that I will require is kidney transplant. l haven't raised enough money for transplant and the doctor said it will be in India.

Did he give you an idea of the possible cost?

He said it will cost up to N10 million. So I am looking for donors who will help me weather the storm.

So far has any donor indicated interest?

Well, I find it difficult to answer this question because people always have their intention in their mind. If they make their intention known, praise God; if they don't, I keep waiting.

Have you been able to reach out to the Enugu state government or any organization that is inclined to Charity works?

I have not been able to reach the government and I don't know any state administration I shall reach for assistance; not yet, I'm still searching.

So what is your appeal to the governments at all levels - local, state and federal?

Well, I'm trying to do that; I've not been able to do that. I hope you will help me to do it using your medium.

Specifically, what is your main appeal to the government?

To donate generously to this project; God will bless you. God has promised to bless anybody who blesses me, and He is a good God.

Can you tell us your experience since this ailment began; how it has affected your life generally?

It has been a problem, especially when I took the drug that was recommended for me; my whole body was irritating. I was feeling pains all over and I don't know whether it has solved my problem. I don't even know whether it has helped me. Dr. Ijoma, a consultant at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, Enugu has been giving me drugs but still he recommended transplant. So I'm neither here nor there.

You talked of the problem not being detected early enough. Did they tell you why they couldn't detect it early?

Well, I didn't approach them early enough. I didn't approach them early enough, I must confess.

Now, let's talk about your musical works. Can you remember the number of gospel albums you produced when you were in active music?

They are up to 15 albums.

15 albums, you meant to say?

Yes. 15 albums

What was your major inspiration then?

You ask about my major inspiration?

The same gospel songs served my major inspiration.

Of all the albums, which was the greatest hit?

The most popular one is Mammy water (Nwa Mammy Water) Do you still remember it?

I still remember the song Nwa Mammy Water. But in terms of money, did it give you financial rewards?

(Long pause) Oh, no. It didn't.

Why?

Of course the devil will always want you to be humiliated; to make you feel that all is not working well. He is at work; the devil is at work, and that's the way I look at it.

Could it because you sang against the devil and its agents?

It may be ... (smiles)...most likely.

Talking about inspiration now, did you have encounter with Mammy water before you composed that song?

Now, how can I have encounter with mammy water? I don't serve mammy water...but I know their works. Somehow, somehow, I know her works. Mammy water and her agents are not good people. From my own perspective, they are not good people. They are dubious. They are exploitative. They are terrible. So, through that song I was only sounding a warning to those who may fall into their trap, to be aware that all that glitters are not gold. They may look lustful but they are not good. Is not everything that arouses our lust that is good. We just have to think about our destiny in life.

The mammy water album released in the 1980s made such a impact that almost in every home you went , you could see people sing it, and you said it did not give you reward....

(Cuts in) Yes, it made a huge impact but I didn't make the money. So what else can be responsible for such a calamity; is the devil. Is the devil that does such thing.

Was it that the producers and marketers or pirates dealt with the album? What actually happened?

Whether producers or pirates, if they are devilish; the devil didn't want me to realize something from it so that I would not be encouraged to do more. He wanted to frustrate me; he did everything to frustrate me. And I must confess that I was almost frustrated but God is great. God has never gone to any battle and came back defeated. He is still the Lion of the tribe of Judah. I know him to be Almighty God. There is no other Almighty. There's only one Almighty. So no matter how the devil tries, I know he is not almighty. It is Almighty God that is almighty; only God is God. Every other spirit is trying to fake God. This is what I want my fans to know.

What is your greatest challenge since you started gospel songs?

The greatest challenge is exploitation. The people who exploit my works and they don't pay me back; those who sell my records and don't pay me back. They are the spoilers. It took the grace of God to overcome them. And it still takes the grace of God until now to overcome them. That's why I think is a warfare. Gospel music is a spiritual warfare for those who understand. But for those who don't understand, they see it as entertainment. But is just warfare?

Can you briefly tell us about yourself, your history, your background, things like that?

What kind of background?

Which local government are you from and in which state? Some of your fans don't know where you hail from. How did you start gospel music?

(Long pause) Does it matter the local government or state I come from? It doesn't really matter. I am a Nigerian.

There are most of your fans who don't know these details.

I am an Igbo man. I am a Nigerian, an Igbo man. I speak Igbo; I speak English. I'm fluent enough to express myself. Can't you see? So it doesn't even matter which local government I come from.

Ok, sir. But which state are you from?

Well, I am from Enugu State... I am from Awgu in Enugu state.

You said you wanted to give the gospel music a general acceptance?

Yes. I wanted to give the gospel music a general acceptance, a good outlook so that people would know what it means to associate with gospel music. Associating with gospel music will mean associating with God. We should not narrow it down to one local government. In fact, that's the mistake we make in Nigeria. When Nwa Mammy Water was released, some women were attacking me; they said didn't I know that a woman gave birth to me, cooks my food and why did I criticize women in the album. But I cannot say just because a woman cooks my food and I will overlook her wrong doings, and say those things are good. The essence of gospel songs is to condemn ills of society.

Would you like your Senator in the National Assembly to show interest in your condition and come to your aid?

I would like if he will have the chance to show interest and assist me. I will like it. I know he is a very busy man and he has a lot of responsibilities. If he can concentrate on my own health problem, I will like it and I will appreciate it.