Joke Arowolo, the Lead Vocalist for the Oyo State Police Command Musical Band has revealed that her best outing as a member of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) Musical Band was during the burial ceremony of Mama Hannah Idowu Awolowo, in 2015 at Tribune House, Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State when she entertained the creamiest in the Nigerian society.
She said, “I was the Lead vocalist during the ceremony at Tribune House and I was happy with my performance as a member of the band who sang that day. There were four South West Governors present at the ceremony and I was proud of the commendation that was given to the Nigeria Police Band after our performance that day.”
The Lead vocalist further stated that the police musical band is known as ‘Amuludun’ popularly called entertainers and the band is meant to provide joy and entertain people in the society stating that Nigeria police band does not discriminate against any member of the society.
Speaking on her motivation for joining the NPF musical band, she said, “Before anyone can join the music department in the training college, you must have a basic foundation of what music is and I had this idea before enrolling”.
The Police officer revealed that she has no regret joining the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and its musical band as she was a chorister even before joining the Force stating that God has always been her support since the beginning of her career at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos.
Speaking on the challenges with street urchins, she stated, “Whenever we are in a show and they plan to disrupt our performance, I always lecture them that the police do not give bribe and that I expected them to give due respect to the Nigeria police. Most times, I always called the attention of their leader on the need to maintain peace and they used to give us our due respect”.
Joke Arowolo, popularly known as ‘JokeGold’ further disclosed that the police band plays all kinds of music ranging from Fuji to Highlife, stating that king Sunny Ade is her mentor and role model in the music industry and that his music is always gives her tremendous inspiration.
The Police-trained musician gave these submissions while featuring on our weekly radio show, Ayekooto on Radio’ anchored by Olayinka Agboola and broadcast live on Lagelu 96.7 FM, Felele Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State’s on Tuesday evening.
Speaking on her challenges in the course of her performance, she said, “One day I was billed to perform at Ile-Ife and it took us a whole day before we got there because our vehicle developed a mechanical fault and it was raining heavily and it delayed the show. That day, I was unhappy with myself and I decided that I would not continue with any musical performance, luckily the show went without any hiccup and the people who invited us were happy with us”.
She also took time off to explain that the Nigerian Police is made up of friendly people and are friends of the masses while urging her fans to remain steadfast and put God first in their pursuits.
Ajoke Arowolo is presently a staff sergeant in the Police Force. She got recruited in 2008. She is married, with children, to a Pastor.
Packaged by Dare Raji and Timilehin Olalere
