Today the Throwback Thursday beam light is on Onyebuchi Atuonwu, fondly known as Buchi, Nigerian reggae gospel artiste, to highlight the difference between success by the world’s standard and good success by God.
In the black and white picture taken in 1999, Buchi was just fresh from lecturing at the University of Lagos and about to move to the gospel music stage with the release of his first album ‘These Days’.
It must have looked ridiculous leaving a successful career in the Academia for God’s business. In his words, “At age 24, after a Master’s degree in English language and alongside a doctorate degree program in the same discipline, I had become a lecturer in the University of Lagos, a career which I combined strangely with disc-jockeying in a nightclub. I was also actively involved in the leadership of a cult group in the University.
This and the D.J business ensured that violence and weed were never far from me. Hardly would I walk two blocks without looking back to see who was following.
I lived dangerously.”
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”
Proverbs 14:12
His life was a living example of the above scripture, however, God’s mercies found him. He got saved on the 30th of December 1992 and moved from reggae night club to the Church. His path has also continued to shine brighter, with consistent release of his albums once every 3 years since 1999. He has won prestigious awards including the AMEN Awards for Best in Gospel Category 1999, Faith Awards 2000, POMP Awards 2002, TOMA Awards for Best Artiste, Reggae Artiste and Gospel Album of the Year 2005, and Life Achievers’ Award 2008. In 2017, He got an award in Dubai, UAE for his significant attainment and persistent productivity.
”And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”
Joshua 24:15
Sources: Buchi’s Page, Legit online
