Popular gospel singer, Buchi Atuonwu, simply known as Buchi, has narrated how God saved him from a firing squad.
The artist disclosed this during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief program on Friday.
Buchi said he and some other persons were already lined up for execution by the firing squad, before God intervened.
According to him, “Despite not being religious, my desperation to be alive made me call on God. And I made a promise to dedicate my life to serving Him in exchange for my life if spared.
Buchi narrated, “At a point in my life, we were laying up for execution. Indeed, the people who were to execute us were already kneeling, ready to fire. It is true that I called out to a God that I didn’t know, saying if you save me, I will serve you. Since we don’t have all the time, let me just say that He saved me from that firing squad.
“Then, I devoted my life to serving him. To see that my music is not empty and that it becomes an extension of a classroom for me having been a teacher in the university. The stage became an extension of the classroom. Who says musicians cannot sing about GMOs, government policies, trends, events, and happenings that inform the quality of life of the people?”
Buchi stated that his intention to make a change in the music industry after being spared from death were the factors responsible for his style of music.
“I come from a peculiar background. Night Club DJ and at the same time a University lecturer. And transiting to the choir of a Church; having been involved in the campus confraternity, drug abuse, and youth violence amongst others.
“My kind of music has to be somewhat different. Influenced by that background and also with an intention to make a change, it led me to the kind of stories that you are referring to. Stories that manured the songs that I put out; such as gun running and violence,” the artist stated
Buchi also spoke on a controversial comment that every musician must use performance-enhanced drugs to perform at their best. He said it is a narrative sold by people. He insisted that there is no relationship between reggae music and weed.
“It is a narrative sold by people interested in the matter. It’s like saying to watch a good movie, I need popcorn. Yes, they go together, people buy it and do it. They practice it. It is also like saying to watch a good football match. I need a particular kind of drink with me.
“It is okay to sell your products and ideas. But I don’t have to accept it absolutely because I know that I can watch a good movie without popcorn. And I can also watch a good football game without the drinks in question. In the same way, there is no relationship between reggae music and weed.
“Yes, I have been there, and now I am here. I know for sure that the substances that I took at that time did not enhance my performance. It is true that you have to be in a certain state of mind to give your best, but drugs don’t take you there. There are so many other things like deep thinking and concern for what you are that can take you there.”
source: PUNCH
