KEFEE IS LIKE A BIG SISTER TO ME-----Anna Ibrahim

Music is a talent but very few people will resign from a lucrative banking career, just to fulfil their passion about being a minister in songs. Mrs Anna Ibrahim a musician, business woman, housewife and a mother, is a talented gospel artiste. ANNY (that is her stage name), is a Masters Degree holder from Bayero University Kano and worked in the Banking Industry for several years before quitting to pursue her vision of music and also went into private business so she could have time for her family.

Married to Mr. Olawale Ibrahim, they are blessed with two beautiful kids. Anny recently launched her second album at the prestigious Royal Tropicana Hotel Kano. It was a well-attended, star studded event. It brought top gospel artiste from different parts of the country and the highlight of the album launching was the pre sence of Kefee, a gospel artiste with several national and international awards to her credit. In this interview with the Emmanuel Gabari of NFC, few days after the album launch/music concert, Anny expressed her joy, happiness and gratitude to God for making her dreams come true and the album launch a success. Enjoy it:

How did you feel when you saw the huge crowd at your 2nd album launch?

I must say I was very happy. When I came into the hall and saw a lot of my fans already seated long before the time of the launching, I almost cried. I am so grateful to God for making my dreams come true. The album launch was very successful. Everything went well and people came in large number and you could feel the excitement in the atmosphere.

The album launch was so star-studded with lots of gospel music artiste. The crowd screamed when they saw Kefee. How were you able to bring Kefee inspite of her busy schedule?

Like I said before, I am so elated that God made the album launch and music concert a success. I really wanted Kefee and my producer Mekoyo to be aro und for my album launch but it was a bit difficult because she already had lots of activities, concerts and programs lined up. Somehow, she made it to Kano. Now, it was really fulfilling for me, because that was the first time Kefee would attend any albumn launch in Kano. My album was also the first collabo any artiste in Kano would be doing with an international star of the caliber of Kefee. Am grateful to God for making it happen.

You and Kefee did a song in your new album called Come and See. How was it like working with her in the studio?

Well, Kefee is somebody I respect so much because she has really done well in the gospel music industry. We are from the same state (Delta) and same tribe (Urhobo), and we have so many things in common because we have been through challenges in our different ways but God has helped us to overcome them. So when I was putting together my second album, I wanted to do a collabo with someone who is far ahead of me, someone I can learn from and draw from his/her wealth of experience in the music industry. So I talked with my producer Mekoyo that I would like to do a song with Kefee and he said its okay. So we talked about the idea with her and when she came for the audio recording, she liked the song. She is like a sister to me.

You also did the video of the song with her. How long did it take to complete that video?

Well it took quite some time for us to shoot the music video of the song Come and See, because I live in Kano with my husband and kids but the video producer lives in Lagos and wanted us to shoot the video in Lagos. Also, Kefee is always busy and travels a lot for shows and events so it was a bit difficult for me to put things together. Surprisingly, Kefee cancelled some of her appointments and programs just to be at the music video shoot. It was so wonderful. She gave us her support and was very helpful throughout the video shoot. You know Kefee is energetic and full of life when it comes to music because that is her passion. I thank God for using her as a source of inspiration to me.

How did you get into music?

I got into music as a small child while singing in the Children's Department of my Church Choir. After some years, I was taken to the Adult Choir and that was how I started leading praise and worship and taking the lead female solo. While in secondary school, I was also very active in the Cultural Group and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Students. In 2003, I released my first album. It was a praise medley. It was an instant hit but because I was still working in the Bank then, I didn't have time to promote it or travel for musical programs. So along the line, I resigned from the Bank so I could have time to pursue my music calling.

What is the title of your new album and how many tracks does it have?

My new album which is also my second album is titled 'Your Mercies'. It has 10 tracks. The album talks about the mercies of God. Sometimes as Christians we take things for granted and not appreciate God for the air we breathe, the life we live, the good health we have, the blessings that come our way and all that. Honestly, it is because of God's mercies that we are not consumed and that is why I want people to be grateful to God in everything they do.

Asides music, what else do you do for a living?

When I quit my banking job, I decided to go into business so I could have time for my family. I run a fashion boutique called Purple W ardrobe. I travel to London, Dubai and the US to get fabrics, clothings, suits, children's wears, shoes, bags and accessories.

What is your educational background?

I did my HND in Business Administration from Kano State Polytechnic. I went for my National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) in 2006. I was posted to Ilorin but sought for redeployment to Kano. After my NYSC, I went back to school to further my education. I did my Post-graduate and Masters Degree in Business Administration at the Bayero University Kano.

What would you say to your fans?

I want to thank everyone who came for the album launch and all those who supported me. May the good Lord that we serve bless you all richly. I also deeply want to appreciate my husband Mr. Olawale Ibrahim for his encouragement, support and love. When I travelled for the recordings in Lagos and Abuja, he stayed with the kids and kept calling me to make sure everything was working well. He stood by me. I thank God for giving me such supportive husband.