My Career Drive
Peak Pathway Magazine Press Crew Motunrayo Omodigbo & Ikotun Boluwatife had a chat with the Founder/President of De Music Navigators , Engr.George Adeboboye Daniel.He abandoned Marine Mechanical Engineer job for Music. The consultant said,‘I never find fulfillment, happiness and satisfaction like am finding in music today. It was the funds I sourced from Music , I used to sponsor myself throughout my Higher institution without disturbing my parents and my siblings’
PPM: Can we meet you?
DE MUSIC: My name is Engr.George Adeboboye Daniel.
PPM: What are you doing presently?
DE MUSIC: I am the C.E.O of De Music Navigators.A music organization here in Nigeria
PPM: Tell us a brief history about De music navigators?
DE MUSIC: De music Navigators is a music organization comprising of a music school, music recording studio, sales, rentals and repairs of musical equipment and instruments, and general musical services. It was formerly known as Foundation Music Consult, before the change of name to De Music Navigators. The organization is 3 years old from date of registration. The organization is located at 19, Oluwadare street off Fola-Agoro, Somolu Lagos, Nigeria.
PPM: What is the mean objective of De music navigators?
DE MUSIC: The main objective of the organization is summarized in an acronym called “DAP”
D= Discovery
A= Activation
P= Presentation.
Discovering hidden potentials in individual, activating it and presenting it to the world. We promote musical prospects by developing musical attitude in individual; young and old alike, and we encourage gifted youths pursuing their dreams to actualization point.
PPM: Do you have a music background?
DE MUSIC: Basically, I come from a music family where my parents and even siblings are music lovers and supporters. Besides, I took a certificate course in music on “Piano and Music Education” from a music school in Nigeria
PPM: What is your major concentration in school and which Tertiary
Institution did u finish from?
DE MUSIC: I was trained in school as a Mechanical Engineer; I had my Ordinary National Diploma (O.N.D) in Agricultural Engineering from Lagos State Polytechnic. My Higher National diploma ( H. N. D) in Mechanical Engineering from same school. My B.Sc. in Mechanical Technology/Education from University of Lagos (UNILAG) Akoka,Lagos.
PPM: Why did you decide to go into music and not practicing your major?
DE MUSIC: I actually did practice my engineering profession for some time, at least. I worked as a site supervisor in a company as a Marine Mechanical Engineer, and a Surveyor in another company, I once lectured Mathematics in a University but amidst all these, I never find fulfillment, happiness and satisfaction like am finding in music today. Music has been an inherent part of me from childhood. ln fact it was the funds from Music that I used to sponsor myself throughout higher institutions, for my O.N.D, H.N.D, and B.Sc. without disturbing my parents and my siblings. In a nutshell, let us say I am passionate about music. Music is giving me the fulfillment I want in life.
PPM: Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?
DE MUSIC: In the next five years, I see branches of De music Navigators being covered in many countries across the globe, bringing talents to limelight.
PPM: Why do most young talented youth now go into the music industry?
DE MUSIC: Music is an essential part of existence, and it cannot be separated from daily living. It is just like our slogan at De music Navigators which says ” Our work is Fun, and our Fun is Work”.The youths want something that will be fun and interesting to them while they are also making money, and right about now, it is only in the music industry and sports that such can happen. But music seems a more accessible and faster route, hence the influx into the music industry.
PPM: Who is your role model in the industry and why?
DE MUSIC: Well, internationally, my role models are Kelvin Bond, Kirk Kranklyn, Marvin Sapp. Here in Nigeria, I love Cobhams Asuquo and Asa. Yeah, he is my role model because Cobhams is a multifaceted human being! He is a music producer, pianist, singer, song writer etc. There are so many sides to him. And Asa , because she is really musical and gifted.
PPM: What makes you happy?
DE MUSIC: Good music makes me happy especially contemporary Jazz Instrumentals.
PPM: What is the most embarrassing moment that you can think of?
DE MUSIC: My most embarrassing moment, Hmmmm! It was the day my mechanic changed my car tyre and forgot to tighten the nuts. Unfortunately, I was so dressed up with a member of my staff, going for a programme when the tyre suddenly pulled off! Thank God I was not on top speed. Not only was I embarrassed because I had to start jacking the car, fixing tyre and tightening nuts as well dressed as I was, I was also causing serious traffic because it happened right at the centre of the road.
PPM: What are the difficulties and challenges that you always encountered
In the music industry?
DE MUSIC: There are so many difficulties and challenges encountered in the music industry, but let me mention the ones that cut- across the whole music industry. Piracy, lack of standard regulatory bodies in music, inadequate funding, lack of Government involvement, participation and support in the music industry.
PPM: Can you tell us 3 basic things that youth should know before
choosing music as a career?
DE MUSIC: I will like to make reference to my book titled “Music and You” on the 3 basic things youths should know before choosing music as a career.
A- Be sure you are passionate enough about music and you are not going into it solely because of money.
B- Music should not disturb your education and should not be seen as an alternative to formal education, rather it should complement it.
C- Be ready to confront obstacles and oppositions in your music career from friends and families, remembering no one would celebrate you, until you have succeeded in life.
PPM: What will you advice young graduate and upcoming entrepreneurs?
DE MUSIC: My advice to young graduates is that they should not lay back at home idle, waiting for white collar jobs, when they can actually acquire one or two skills and start up something great on their own. They should not wait for jobs,they should go ahead and create jobs for themselves.
My advice to upcoming entrepreneurs is that there is really nothing like being your own Boss; though there would be rough times, but it pays a great deal at the long run because you can enjoy time freedom, financial freedom and ability to take your own decisions. Go out there and start up something of your own today no matter how small or little.
