On September 23, 2023, exactly 11 days after singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, known as Mohbad died, DAMILOLA OLUFEMI visited his father, Joseph Aloba and spoke with him on the artiste.
Mohbad, whose fans also referred to as Imole (Light), was a former signee of Marlian Music, a record label owned by Azeez Fashola, also known as Naira Marley.
He carved the name, “Mohbad” meaning Moh (I am) Bad (Bright and destined) after he recorded a song and was hailed for his excellence, he explained in a video.
Mohbad exited Marlian Music in 2022, in what appeared not to be a friendly departure.
Locating Mr Joseph Aloba’s (Mohbad’s father) house from the Ikorodu garage was quite easy. Getting to his residence, this reporter noticed the absence of a crowd within the compound – everywhere seemed quiet and looked like nothing had happened.
The hope of this reporter to sign a condolence register was dashed as there was nothing of such present.
Stepping inside Aloba’s living room, this reporter noticed that there was no picture of Mohbad anywhere. This according to Aloba was because he “can’t keep seeing his picture in this mood. I had to remove all his pictures.”
The light that shone
The name “Imole” holds deep meaning, signifying the radiant light he brought into the world. Mohbad’s musical journey began with a desire to make a difference, fueled by his love for music and his father’s influence. Despite his untimely passing, his legacy lives on through his music and the impact he had on those who knew him.
Early exposure to music
On the street of Oke-Iletu, Ikorodu, Lagos State, Mohbad, was born. He carved out a unique place in the hearts of his community. This neighbourhood, which he proudly called home, witnessed the early chapters of his life. Born in Apa but settling in Oke-Iletu at a young age, Mohbad navigated the bustling streets with the dreams and aspirations of a young boy.
“He had his childhood here, but he was born around Apa. They started living here (Oke-Iletu) when he was around 10 to 12 years old,” a source and resident disclosed.
Mohbad’s father’s involvement in music paved the way for this serendipitous moment. The offer came from the owner of the house they worked at, and Mohbad’s journey in music began.
A significant turning point occurred when opportunity knocked in the form of a family friend. This friend introduced Mohbad to a potential opportunity in the music industry, where Mohbad was offered N30,000 for a studio recording session.
Mohbad’s father, Aloba, a musician himself, played a pivotal role in shaping his son’s musical journey. Residents fondly remembered him as “Omo Oba,” the son of a man deeply rooted in his musical craft.
Despite his music career level, he was seen as a meek individual, who gives freely whenever he visits the community he grew up in.
At a stage of his life, he had been involved in carpentry work, a profession he learnt from no one else but his dad, who described this as what he loved about him.
“All his life was spent with his father. Whenever he comes back from school, he does his father’s work. He was hustling with his father’s work,” a source said.
His act of learning fast resulted in roofing the ceiling of his dad’s living room single-handedly.
Aloba had wanted to be the one to compose songs for Mohbad but as a bright shining star and future he saw in himself, Mohbad declined.
However, the duo still maintained a good relationship in that they both sang the “I will exalt you Lord” song.
While the father sings gospel, the son sings hip-hop, with the target of having a song together before Mohbad’s demise.
“He told me not to worry, that both of us will sing together on the stage. Sometimes, he will show me the songs he has composed. He will tell me to help him to edit the songs. Anything he did, I supported him. He had visions when he was 14 years old that he would be known in many nations. Now that he is dead, he can’t attain that peak but his music speaks,” Aloba said.
Educational journey
Mohbad’s educational journey was marked by challenges and resilience. Despite experiencing a hiatus from schooling due to financial constraints, he later returned to complete his secondary education. His determination led him to pursue a higher education in Accounting.
Mohbad was not only spontaneous musically but also sound academically.
He began schooling at Upper Hand Nursery and Primary School, Sasa, Lagos State.
Upon completion of his primary education, he proceeded to Starey School, Lagos. He was almost done in school when his family changed environment.
He was once enrolled in Oshodi Secondary School where he spent three years.
His family relocated to the Oke-Iletu community, Ikorodu in 2009.
Between 2009 and 2011, Mohbad was unable to continue his education or attend any school due to a lack of money.
“In 2011, I promised him that he would go back to school when I was done with the work that I was doing. The house was the fourth house to this place (Mohbad’s dad’s house). He told me he could do the ceiling of the house and after he finished the work, I gained N17,000. I promised him that he would go to school after we completed the project,” Aloba recounted.
In 2013, Aloba reenrolled Mohbad in Abifab College, Ikorodu. In 2015, Mohbad sat for the National Examination Council Senior Secondary Certificate Examination and made his papers in one sitting.
The proprietor and principal of Abifab College, Ikorodu, Abidemi Faboye, the Secondary School Mohbad graduated from described him as an easygoing person.
