The Guardian

Opera Singer, Abiodun Koya celebrates Democracy Day with ‘Lift Up Nigeria’

[as originally published on guardian.ng]

Opera music diva, Abiodun Koya, is sounding a clarion call of renewed hope and patriotism with the release of an inspirational song entitled Lift Up Nigeria. The release of the captivating song by the talented US returnee comes as Nigeria celebrates this year’s Democracy Day.

Produced by award-winning music producer, Wole Oni, Lift Up Nigeria is a chorus that is very easy to learn. It was composed and arranged by the talented singer.

Abiodun has had a successful career as an opera singer in the United States for about 20 years. The soprano vocalist studied Business Management at the University of Columbia, Washington and has a Masters Degree in Music from Catholic University.

With infectious eagerness, Abiodun Koya describes the new song as an inspired song different from what she has worked on.

“Lift Up Nigeria is a song that everybody can sing along to easily. My dream is to start a fire of love and patriotism about Nigeria amongst fellow citizens of our beloved country. Speaking negatively about Nigeria will be an ungrateful thing; we shouldn’t join others to put our country down. We should love our country dearly irrespective,” she said.

The song has earned rave reviews from world leaders after it was performed first at the grand opening of ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo Library in March and, later at Aso Rock during a special thanksgiving service for Vice President, Yemi Osinbanjo.

Born to a family of five in a small town in the southwestern part of Nigeria, Abiodun Koya is a classically trained Soprano vocalist and actress. She started her music career at age six singing at church and birthday celebrations under the mentoring hands of her parents. Since then, she has grown to be one of the very few African women who sing opera.

Koya moved to the United State 20 years ago where she established herself as a poet, composer, philanthropist, entrepreneur, and songwriter; she loves recording movie soundtracks as well as writing story lines for plays and comedies. In her spare time, she holds master classes for choirs and college students as well as musical workshops, and empowerment programs for youth.