A visually impaired gospel artiste, Simeon Fujamade has held a live concert in Lagos, Nigeria.
Fujamade who leads Simi Fuja Music Band told New Dawn that well meaning Nigerians should support gospel artistes living with disabilities in order to give them a sense of belonging and encouragement.
Talking about the planning that went into the outreach, Fujamade said
“A lot went into planning of our outreach. We were planning this thing since last month, our bands were ready,” he said.
On the purpose of the outreach, the virtually impaired guitarist said the outreach was initially planned to showcase the band.
“It is just to showcase me; it is a concert to advertise the band that is what it is about. It was planned to hold for three hours. 7pm to 10pm. We are in the neighborhood,” he explained.
Relaying his experience and how he learnt the guitar, Fujamade said it was not easy as a virtually impaired person to learn a musical instrument like the guitar.
“It was the grace of God. When I started, I was afraid. But today God has made it possible. There is nothing easy in this life. Even keyboard is not bread and butter.
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“Learning is for anybody that can keep at it. What you start dropping will leave you, if you can stay with it for 24 hours every time you will master it. That is the truth about learning,” he said.
He also talked about the support he has received from his mother, Mrs. Fujamade.
“Mummy has tried a lot. She has tried for me since my childhood. She was always there. She always stays around in my rehearsals. In learning the guitar, she was in support. Mummy brought a brother, Brother Dele to assist me. Today, he is the manager of my band.
“There is story before any glory. People say some people want to have glory they don’t want the story, it is not possible. The person must find alternative. Nothing goes for anything. This concert will bring me out, I believe,” he said.
On his future plan, Fujamade said he is optimistic God would use the concert to showcase the band. “If we can do the concert once a month, God can use it to expose us.
“I just tell people if you are learning anything, it is not easy except for individual determination. When I started with box guitar it was not easy at first you would make mistakes but with determination you will get it,” he advised.
Meanwhile, he plans to engage in more evangelistic outreaches between now and the next five years. “By the grace of God, we are going to attract nations between now and the next five years,” he said.
He also added that, “This outreach is just a kind of evangelism. Evangelism is more than carrying the Bible. It could be through this a terrorist will repent. It will also showcase the band, Simi Fuja Music Band will be announced by the grace of God.
“We started the band about two years ago, we have about 10 members in the band including back-up singers, instrumentalists etc.,” he said, adding that assembling the band was by the race and leading of God.
“A brother of mine brought the idea then we started it. One day we went for Let’s go a fishing program of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. I ministered in song and after the outreach, my brother just brought the idea, and God has been faithful.
“God’s grace has been there. Most of my band members usually have their own schedule, but when they don’t have schedule, they would turn up, they always want to help,” he said.
