Joggling between working in a reputable  federal  government establishment, a song writer, a gospel artiste and a good pianist seems like a daunting task, yet Joy John Okobi is doing all these without a sweat or so it seems. In this interview with FLORENCE AMAGIYA, she talks about her life, her passion and her upcoming foundation’s launching for young abused women in Benin City, Edo state tagged   ‘sing with Joiy live’.
Enjoy!

My passion, how I came about it

I grew up to discover I love to help people, when I see someone in need or pain, I feel empathy. As a daughter of a pastor who always loves to help people find answers, I guess it was natural for me to do same. As a student, I started a foundation that created campaigns to keep my immediate community aware of the HIV/AIDS scourge and how to battle and overcome it.

I also provided books for libraries in schools where I served in Oyo State. I visited UNIBEN to see my younger brother where I met this young pretty pregnant girl who was crying. She came to meet her only friend who had relocated. She looked dirty, unkempt, it was a sight that keeps shocking me if I remember.

It was so deplorable that I couldn’t walk away. Her boyfriend denied her, her parents drove her out and she had been sleeping in front of a barber’s shop where she was asked to live. It excited my passion to help young ladies because I imagined how many more would be out there. As a lady, I am sure you are familiar with the challenges we face.

Joy John Okobi

First, it is difficult to raise funds to help people especially when you barely have enough for yourself. My philosophy for life drives me to give without holding back. Also, people tend to always discourage me and tell me I can’t help or change the world. I wonder why we get so selfish to things that we may lose or may leave behind when we die.

Do you plan owning a foundation?

I wasn’t thinking I will one day own my passion but until lately. It was just like a hobby to help but now, it’s part of my life. If I don’t help, it’s like I can’t breathe.

My other passions outside my job

Music! It’s basically my life. I sing! It has a way of releasing my spirit and heart from every tension; it eases me from confusion and heals every hurt. I sing at events, in church and also in my room.

How I am coping with them all

It’s tough but I joggle both of them and find a way. My job gives me the opportunity because everyone I meet in the office gets positively affected when I sing, that’s why I am JOiY, they are my first daily audience. Also events are mostly weekends and evening. So it doesn’t clash with work. I manage my time and prioritize.

My life growing up

It was a bit hard. I had strict parents because they were pastors. I guess they wanted to protect me and grow a ‘saint in me but I was very encouraged in my passion. I was in the choir at the age of six. I had all the support in music. My dad hired a pianist. Outside the ‘freedom’ we experience in school, my social life was next to zero. Interestingly, my values are founded on the truth I learnt and this has also informed my passion. I don’t regret any of it.

My relationship with my fiancé

Oh yes, and I am proud of him, I call him my life coach. You can see his signature on my finger but I don’t want to go further on this because some things are rather left private. I thank God for a man who will drive me till my best comes to life. He supports my dream and passion.

How l met him

I met him for the first time on the road. He wasn’t one of those people I like to keep in my books. He was kind of popular in our circle and too popular for my liking. I was not one of his fans and I remember telling him something that got him thinking soberly the first time we spoke. I felt I broke his wings and I won. He would not leave me and he continued to follow me until I saw a ring on my finger, please don’t ask me how!

My forth coming event.

The “Sing with JOiY” project is a music concert and talk show aimed at bringing people to a platform that inspires them to live positively as well as creating awareness for basic human rights and solving societal problems using music as a tool for transformation. I will be hosting my friends, popular artistes in the quarterly event. On this event, J’odie (the kuchi kuchi girl) will be my guest among other local artistes in Benin: Dr. Foy, Liora, BigSplash, Fidelia, Cel, Annivon, JoanPaul…the list goes on.

This edition focuses on creating awareness and restoring the hope to abandoned and abused young ladies; to give them a voice and a start. The plight of the African girl child is one that draws tears from eyes of everyone with a heart. These tomorrow mothers of our nation are vulnerable to social vices. Some of them are even abused by their family, relatives and friends. These girls keep their lips sealed because speaking about it is not an option. So we sing with joy because there is hope. At the event, we will be empowering five ladies and giving them a future. We will be working with some NGOs who are directly responsible for these ladies.

My name

I am Joy John Okobi, I am  a gospel artiste, keyboardist, music director and songwriter.

What I amoutside all these

I am a simple, quiet lady who doesn’t like trouble. I love to laugh, read and learn.

My family and my position

We are five in number, two great guys and three wonderful girls. I am the first, I lost my elder brother some years ago or we would be six.

I grew up in Nigeria! My father kept on relocating as the ministry posted him, we followed. I can’t count how many schools and towns we lived in, but basically I grew up partly in Lagos, Agbor and Benin.

I read Mathematics & Statistics from the prestigious Ambrose Alli University.

I am from Abah-unor in Delta State.

My best food

Beans & plantain, but most time it goes with the mood.

My beauty routine

I scrub at least twice a week, I don’t sleep with makeup and I use good & natural body creams. I like to keep it simple most times. I also like to take therapy from my beauty therapist.

How I keep fit

I have my daily routine; I wake up dancing and doing my workouts. I watch what I eat, drink a lot of water and take a lot of vitamin C. I ensure my meals are balanced and I try not to eat late.

My self  in 10 years time

I see myself as a UN ambassador helping nations solve societal issues. I will be an established brand in the entertainment industry and known not just for my music that will bridge gap but for the value and societal change I deliver through my music.

My advice to my fans and young Nigerians

They should dream big and start small, stay focused, be determined, follow your heart and dream, be yourself at all times, learn to trust God and have the right people around you. Also take time to develop yourself before looking for who will pay or buy your work.

My take on the ill fated plane crash

It’s a great tragedy and very heartbreaking; I sympathize with all families that lost someone and Nigerians at large. I feel it could have been averted if we are responsible with our duties and speak up without fear of favour. We shouldn’t forget that the numbers that die on the highway are like 10 times than this, we should be careful. Life is too short, leave a legacy. Know why you are alive .