Source: Tunji Oyedokun Blog
You are welcome to August edition of UTILIZE MAGAZINE. It is noteworthy to spell it out that UTILIZE Magazine is an online magazine that celebrates and promote those individuals that are achieving success utilizing their talents not minding whether they have a university education or not. Those individuals get interviewed in order to share their success stories, experiences, approaches, strategies and determination for achieving success in order to also inspire others to DISCOVER and begin to UTILIZE their talents to achieve great success in life. This edition covers an exclusive interview with a Nigerian-Born Canada based Medical Doctor and Singer, FUNMI DOMINIC OLAOYE and other articles on Health Tips, Motivation, Inspiration and "Tosyn's Top 10" by Tosyn Bucknor, a Barrister and an On Air Personality. Read more after the cut.
In this exclusive interview with Utilize Magazine, Funmi Dominic Olaoye shares how she discovered her talent in singing, juggles practicing public health profession and singing. How she acquired her skills, her debut album and much more. Sit back and enjoy it.
Utilize Magazine: Tell us about yourself.
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: My name is Funmi Dominic Olaoye. I am a music artiste, medical doctor, and a public health professional. I am married and my date of birth is 1st of May. I reside in Canada.
Utilize Magazine: What was growing up like?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: I was born in Jos, Plateau State Nigeria. Being the first- born of four children in a family of six and brought up by strict parents, much was expected from me. During my childhood, I had a very strong passion for singing and helping people. I remember when I was about 8 years old, I wanted to sing for fun at home with a microphone, but I did not have one. I found a chord which had a loose end and the other end was round and shaped like a microphone, so I decided to improvise. I plugged the loose end of the chord into an electric socket and held the round end, singing and dancing, while my brother, Ayo was playing the drums. Suddenly, I experienced an electric shock, which threw me across the room. Both of us wondered for very few minutes, what could have happened but we did not allow that to stop us. I stood up, kept on singing and dancing as if nothing happened while my brother continued playing the drums. Another memorable event for me was when I was in my 3rd year in high school at Ile-Ife, where I grew up, my father who is a medical doctor asked me, “So what are you going to become when you grow up?” The answer came quickly with assurance, “A medical doctor and a musician” I said. My dad replied, “That’s impossible, how can? Doctors are well respected all over the world but musicians.....” I cut in, reaffirming that it was possible and that was what I wanted to become.
Utilize Magazine: When and how did the journey into music begin?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: The journey into music began in 1994 when I sang at Feyi Ojuri’s musical concert, which took place in Oduduwa hall at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I was supposed to sing at that concert with a backing soundtrack, but the person who was supposed to make the soundtrack for me disappointed me. I almost gave up singing the song but I was persuaded to sing the song without the backing soundtrack, eventually the song turned out so nice that I had a standing ovation. The disappointment turned out to be a blessing after all.
Utilize Magazine: Did you go to school to learn music or would you say it is your talent?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: No, I did not learn music formally. Music for me is a talent. However, I still work on myself by singing daily and playing musical instrument. Every morning I wake up, I worship God with singing and playing my keyboard. I cannot do without singing in a day. My day is not complete without singing.
Utiilize Magazine: At what point did you discover that you possess this talent?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: I discovered that I could sing when I sang during a musical concert, ‘Living spring Music Festival’ in 1991 also held at Obafemi Awolowo University. I was encouraged further, when my siblings and I composed and performed a birthday song for Nigeria which was aired on British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on Nigeria’s independence day .As kids, we were excited that the song could be aired on such a reputable radio station.
Utilize Magazine: What type of music do you sing and write?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: The genre of music that I sing and write is a blend of Africanrhythm with elements of jazz, R&B and funk. I preach the message of love, hope and peace through music. I tell the world about Jesus Christ.
Utilize Magazine: How do you juggle being a medical doctor and a singer?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: Now, I practice my public health profession and I sing. With God, all things are possible. God gives me the strength. Oh yeah, I am human, sometimes I get weary, but God gives me the grace to pull through. It requires a lot of hard work, time management and determination.
Utilize Magazine: In the near future, do you see yourself leaving medical practice to face your music career fully?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: That is a tough one. For now, I do not see that coming. I would say combining public health, medicine and music is what I would love to continue to do. This is my desire, but whatever God wants me to do is the most important. I believe that things will unfold as time goes by.
Utilize Magazine: Why did you choose gospel music and what inspires your lyrics?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: The reason why I am alive and sing is to glorify God. I have to let the whole world know about Him. I sing moral songs and educative songs as well. My source of inspiration is God. Also, my immediate environment and various experiences have a great influence on my music.
Utilize Magazine: How many audio albums and videos have you released?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: I recorded some tracks which include “Ise Oluwa”, “Ife Eleduwa“, “Africa” “Tell the world” , “Smile” , “Je te louerai” and the list goes on. Recently I released a single titled ‘’Ololufe”.
Utilize Magazine: Your debut audio album ISE OLUWA came out successful and even got you a nomination at KORA Music Awards held in South Africa in 2003. How did you feel about that?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: I felt great about it. I was nominated as the “Most Promising Female Artiste in Africa” that year. Going to South Africa and meeting great artistes from all over the world that I have always admired on television as a little girl was like a dream. I was overwhelmed. The award night was very colourful and spiced up with different musical renditions from Africa and diaspora. The gorgeous African attires lit up the hall with scintillating, eclectic sounds emerging from various African instruments. Something also struck me at the event; most of the artistes from francophone countries could speak both French and English, this challenged me to study French at Nigerian French Language Village, Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria in 2005 and I continued at Alliance Francaise, Ikeja Lagos, giving me the opportunity to communicate with a larger audience.
Utilize Magazine: What are the challenges you face as a singer and songwriter?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: One has no privacy, people’s expectations of you are high, and one does not have much spare time.
Utilize Magazine: You studied a course in America. Tell us about it and how it relates to your dreams.
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: I had my Masters in Public Health with concentration in Maternal and Child Health and certificate in Epidemiology at the University of South Florida. I believe my experiences as a public health specialist, medical doctor and a professional musician can be a tool for advocacy and health promotion especially for mothers and children. In addition, I conduct research and write academic journals with the ultimate goal of promoting health.
Utilize Magazine: Tell us about your newly released album ‘Ololufe’.
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: “Ololufe” which means ‘My Love’, is a song which expresses love, appreciation and devotion between couples, reminding them about their vows, and supporting them to make their marriages work hence promoting a healthier community. ‘Ololufe’ is also an inspiring song to young adults who intend to walk down the aisle someday.
Utilize Magazine: What other projects are you working on at the moment and where do you see yourself in the next five years?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: I’m currently working on a project, which entails married couples submitting inspiring stories about their marriage journey to ololufeblog@gmail.com. The couple with the most inspiring story wins $1,000. The submission of entries is on and will close on August 7, 2016. What inspired me to do this is the high rate of divorce and separation, which affect the health of the entire community. There are also many negative stories out there about marriages not working, domestic violence etc. I believe these things are not God’s plan for marriages. I believe that there are marriages out there that have worked and are still working. I am not saying that marriage is a bed of roses, and I’m not saying that people should stay in abusive relationships, but before it degenerates to that point, perhaps couples could work things out. I would like to see inspiring stories that people can identify with and draw strength from. I look forward to seeing these stories heal homes, strengthen relationships and also inspire young adults and singles who intend to marry someday. More information about the submission of stories is available at www.ololufeblog.com. And where do I see myself in the next 5 years? Hmm… I have an idea of where I would like to be in 5 years, but I would prefer to keep working towards it and praying about it than disclosing it (laughs).
Utilize Magazine: If you are not attending to patients or singing, how do you unwind?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: At the moment, just like I mentioned earlier, I work as a public health professional. So If I’m not singing or working, I unwind by spending some time with my family, watching movies and studying.
Utilize Magazine: Words of inspiration and motivation for people.
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: Whatever you can dream of, you can achieve. Your thoughts are your limitations. Put God first, work hard, be determined and persevere. Believe in yourself and you will get there.
Utilize Magazine: Thank you for your time and before we let you go. How can people connect with you?
Funmi Dominic Olaoye: You are welcome.
People can connect with me through email funmidominic@yahoo.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/funmidominic/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/FunmiDominic
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