I Met My Husband As A Chorister 23 Yrs Ago

Anyone familiar with Alayo Melody’s music and performances would probably have noticed how frequently he acknowledges his wife. He has often incorporated her name into his musical identity, referring to himself as “Yetty Mama’s husband.”

It is more than a nickname. It has become a public expression of affection and recognition for the woman who has been part of his journey. For an entertainer whose performances are often filled with praise, thanksgiving and personal acknowledgements, mentioning Yetunde has become part of the Alayo experience.

His public celebration of his wife also gives fans a glimpse into how important she is to him.

This epitome of beauty, Yetty mama was present at the commissioning of their newly built fueling station and had tete-a-tete with City People Head of TV, SUNDAY ADIGUN and she on how she met Alayo Melody as a chorister 23 years ago. Excerpt.

Let me start by congratulating you and your husband on the Commissioning of your new fueling station. how do you feel today?

I feel so excited, I’m really, really happy about this achievement. I feel so excited.

What was your reaction when he told you he wants to go into the oil & gas business?

Oh, I won’t lie to you, the first time he told me, I was like, ah “iwo omokunrin yiii nibo loti ri owo, oti shey ogun owo” (laugh) But jokes apart Alayo is a very hard-working man. And also, since we relocated to the UK, he’s been here alone, hustling. Moreso, our decision to relocate to UK also helped. You know over there you don’t really have to bother about paying school fees. I think that has really helped him to raise enough money for the project, but at first, I felt like, “iwo omokunrin yii shey oti s’ogun owo nii” and he said “Iya e ni mofi shey ogun owo” and we laughed about it. I’m really happy about it.

The name, Yetty Mama is very popular and rings the bell with Alayo’s fans. So if I may ask, who is Ayeti Mama? Tell us about your background and growing?

Ayeti Mama is Yetunde Akinola by name. I’m an indigene of Abeokuta but I was born in Lagos, and grew up in Lagos. I moved to Abeokuta while looking for admission then. That was when I met my husband.

I met my husband in a church. It’s a celestial church, I can’t really remember the name of that church again, but the church is a celestial church here in Abeokuta.

There was a day we all went for a naming ceremony in the church. Meanwhile, we were both in the choir department. I was among the choristers while he was one of the lead vocalists. We started talking and became friends that day. We didn’t know the friendship was going to be something this serious because I only came to Abeokuta to study, not to fall in love. My initial plan was to go back to Lagos after my education, but when I met my husband, I just felt like I should stay. And that’s how our journey started.

You guys have been together for how many years now?

My first son is 21 years old now, I had my first son in 2005. My husband and I met around 2002/2003, that should be 23years now if I’m not mistaken. We also went to the same school.

Tell me about your life as the popular Alayo Melody’s wife. What are the challenges?

I wouldn’t want to talk much about that. All I know is that being a celebrity’s wife comes with a lot of challenges. I believe you understand what I mean? Sometimes a lot of people come to you as a musician’s wife to say some nasty things. There were a lot of side talks. As a celebrity wife, you tend to hear different kinds of stories. Which I don’t really care about anymore. I believe my husband is my husband. Some people will say ”Yetunde is Ruth abokoku”. I love my husband so much. Yes, we do fight, there’s no perfect relationship but God has been so faithful. A lot of people don’t even know me yet they will tell you she’s stubborn and all that. I’ve learned never to listen to any rumor again. When you tell me anything about him I go to him and ask him. And one thing about him is that he never lies. If I ask my husband about anything, If I’m right, He’ll just tell me”Oh Yetty this is how it is,this is the reason,so for that, we don’t always have issues. Being a celebrity’s wife is a task. It’s very hard but I thank God, I’m happy.

So what would you say you did differently, that has kept your marriage for over 23 years?

I think Perseverance, patience and not listening to what people are saying. Like I said, sometimes when they come to me, ohhh, this is what your husband is doing, I do tell them My husband is my husband. He’s still my husband and he will continue to be. Whenever I hear anything about him instead of keeping it and start misbehaving I will confront him immediately and Whatever my husband tells me I believe and we move on.

I wish him the best in all his future endeavors and I pray this will not be the end of God’s doing in his life. I pray we will still have more of this, Not only fueling station but a lot of things are still in plan. Like opening a mall, and so on. This will not be the last thing, We will keep going forward. And I pray God will continue to strengthen him, provide for him and keep him safe. As he goes and comes, may God give him the longevity of life.

Sunday Adigun is a journalist and editor at City People Magazine, a popular Nigerian entertainment and lifestyle publication. He is known for his in-depth interviews and features on Nigerian celebrities, musicians, actors, and other public figures. As a seasoned journalist, Sunday Adigun has built a reputation for himself in the Nigerian entertainment industry, and his articles and interviews are widely read and respected. City People Magazine is a leading platform for entertainment news, gossip, and celebrity profiles, and Sunday Adigun’s work has contributed significantly to its success.