A United Kingdom (UK) based Nigerian songwriter and African culture ambassador, Michael Ogunbayo, popularly called DJ Mykejay, speaks with The Guild on his efforts to promote Nigerian culture, challenges, and plans.Â
Q…In a few days from now, Nigeria will be celebrating its 65th independence anniversary, and as a cultural ambassador, how do you think that the country of your birth can celebrate its independence to change global perception about it?
This is one of the major works I have been doing in the United Kingdom (UK) since arriving in this country. I have been bringing many Africans, especially Nigerians, together to ensure that they have a link to their culture. Bringing them together is another way, for me, to ensure unity and to further remind them of their culture and tradition. We may speak different languages as Nigerians, but we are united as a country. On this Independence Day, I will suggest that every Nigerian should come together and celebrate the country’s independence by wearing attires that link the world back to the country, that is, wearing green and white, which represent the colours on our flag. Through this, we send messages to the world that we are united. This will change global perception about the country and attract investors to Nigeria.
Q…How do you think that we can better manage our image to become one that will be considered important by the world and address us as the giant of Africa that we are?
Nigerians do not value their culture as much as the way foreigners, particularly those who have visited the country, hold on to it. Even in the UK, many of the schools are learning about the Yoruba language and other African languages. And they do this more than the way we have been celebrating our culture over the years. While they are doing this, many Nigerians residing in the UK do not allow their children to speak the Nigerian languages. And that is what I have been doing since arriving in the UK to ensure that Nigerians living here have a link to their home through culture. The culture that we are distancing ourselves from is what our hosts here are aiming to learn from us. Many of them know more about the Nigerian culture and tradition than those who share the blood but are based in the UK. We all need to ensure that the public knows where we are from, and this is our culture. And be good ambassadors of the nation.
Q….What are those challenges that you think that Nigerians promoting the country’s culture abroad face?
We have been battling with a bad image due to the actions of a few Nigerians. Our hosts read more about us on the internet than we ourselves. And all that they get from the internet often remains with them for many years after that incident, except that they get what could change their perception about the issue that happened in Nigeria. Sometimes, when you go for an interview, when the interviewers hear your spoken English, they are amazed that you are from Africa and speak good English. Sometimes, they perceived Nigerians to be scammers, considering the actions of a few. But that is what we have been trying to address and make them see the country and its citizens in a better light.
Q…What measures do you think that we can take to make everyone in Europe see Nigerians the way we want them to see us quickly?
There is no shortcut to success. We just have to ensure that we keep doing what will make the world see us as good people who can be trusted with anything. If we rush it, it is like running to the end of an issue without taking cognisance of what should have accompanied one’s journey. We all need to get it right by doing the right thing. We all need to understand that the internet has great power, and we should utilize it to boost our image rather than use it to tarnish the country’s image.
Q…As a cultural ambassador, what are your plans for Africa, especially Nigerian culture and tradition?
I will always ensure that events promoting African culture and tradition abroad never cease to be organised. I want to ensure that people remember their culture even when they are not in the country. I will always ensure that the African culture and tradition are promoted often.
Q…And as a songwriter, what are your long-term or short-term goals?
As the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of my firm in Nigeria before moving to the UK, I have discovered and promoted many artists and assisted them in attaining stardom. So, my decision to move abroad is to take it beyond the standard it was in Nigeria. My goal is to ensure that Nigerian artists get global attention like their UK and European counterparts. I will be doing this by assisting Nigerian artists in setting up a collaboration between them and foreign artists who have a wider audience. I believe that doing this will help Nigerian artists showcase their talents and promote the country’s culture as well. I do not want it to be Wizkid, Burna Boy, Davido, and Tems alone. I want many Nigerian young artists to also have access to global platforms that will allow them to showcase their God given talents. I believe that their stardom will assist our culture to get more penetration globally. And in the next five years, I aim to host the largest African Festival in the UK, where the best and upcoming artists can perform to the attention of the world.
Q…As a songwriter, what are those things that make you unique from others?
My uniqueness is the ability to write my song from the activities that happen around me immediately. And I blend my song with reality using both the Western and African languages. I can sing in Yoruba and English simultaneously. This has always assisted the songs I write for artists. I also ensure that the song promotes culture and traditions.
