Maureen Ejezie broke into limelight in 1991 with I Love Palm Wine, which became an anthem at social gatherings. But her disappearance was just as sudden as her emergence on Nigeria’s music scene. She tells SONY NEME what she has been up to at her Ikeja, Lagos residence.

23 years after your hit debut, I Love Palm Wine, you seem to have gone into the shadows. How did it all begin?

I started very early in Asagba Primary School Asaba in the then Bendel State, participating in dances. It continued at Asaba Technical College, where I was dancing with the cultural troupe. We were the best then, coming out first in all intra-state competitions. This was in the late ’70s. Then my mother thought differently; she insisted that I must be educated. I tried going into music that early but my mum stood her grounds. So I went to read a course I equally love, agricultural science at Federal University of Agriculture, Umidike, in Abia State.

How did that decision affect you?

I never stopped even while at school. We had events such as Students Week, Bendel Day and all that. I performed at such opportunities, and that continued until I started my recording. I was combining both academics and music which was my hobby then. So in between when I was taking my final papers and writing my project, I was already in the studio with Lemmy Jackson. You can imagine my joy when the album came out in January 1991 when I was at Shagamu, Ogun State, for my NYSC orientation, before being posted to Lagos. .

How did it affect your service?

I enjoyed all the glitz and blitz that came with it. I was serving when the album was released. I was posted to Command Secondary School, Ojo Alaba after my orientation at Shagamu, before I was redeployed to a private company at Surulere. At the orientation camp it was huge as I became an instant celebrity as most of the entertainment reporters gave me very positive write ups.

Can you recall the most enduring highlight of that popular album?

There were lots of it, but one I will always remember was that it got me a show at Ghana where I was signed to perform for a month-long deal at Golden Tulip, Accra in 1992. That was a year after my service. I was paid in dollars. It was a massive deal as the song was very popular in Ghana. After that I got married, had my kids and started taking care of them. Now that is done. Though I never really left the stage completely, I had to move down to Asaba, had my equipment and lease them out regularly. I was also performing at select shows for top government functionaries and other top brass within the state.

Now that you are done with family matters, any news from the studios?

I’m fully back to music as I have performances regularly with my band, Energy Band, at Ibis Hotel in Ikeja, Lagos. I also rent out my equipment. We also perform at celebrity birthdays, and other top occasions across Lagos. We are very busy week in, week out. My work is ready, but Boy Chyko’s new single is where my energy is being channelled now. When I am done with that, which is very soon, then I will set sail with mine. Already I have assembled a The palm wine queen Maureen Ejezie returns.

Team of music critics and administrators who are working out details. I am coming back in a way expected of my class and dignity, Apart from Mrs. Maiden Ibru’s daughter’s wedding few months back, we recently entertained guests at the wedding of Patrick Doyle’s daughter among others too numerous to mention. We have massive live band equipment that can serve at concerts featuring 5,000 people, be it at the stadium or at any open space.

You were promoting the idea of female musicians group; what has become of it?

I still have that in mind. It has been properly registered as Female Musicians Association of Nigeria. We are still looking for sponsors to take up the recognition and reward female artistes in their 90s who are our pathfinders. That is the project we are working on and we are looking at early next year. The date and venue will be unveiled at a very colourful ceremony. I will keep you posted

One of your children has a new single; how is he doing?

Music is in my family as my mum also led a cultural troupe during her days. She inspired me. Boy Chyko is my last child. I am giving him my best, because the song is already doing well. We are giving the best push possible. Though mine is ready, I have decided to step it down till early February next year as I have to push that of Chyko for now