Encomium
INSPIRATIONAL artiste, Lara George has a blossoming career, and also enjoying marital bliss. Her wedding to Gbenga George, clocked 10 a couple of weeks back.
ENCOMIUM Weekly had an interview with her about her career, marriage and more…
What has been happening to Lara George? What is new about you, career wise?
We just released a single, Love wan tintin. I also shot the video in the U.S. It was produced by Dimeji Durotoye. It was also my tenth wedding anniversary on Tuesday, September 4, 2014.
Your new song, Love wan tintin is all about love, what actually inspired it?
I wanted to do a song about love. As an inspirational artiste, I like to give people what I believe is a message from God. There are a lot of challenges. I want to give a message of love because we need it. Also, my wedding anniversary falls within the same period. I took time to take stock and know I have a lot to be grateful for. Some marriages don’t last long. It has been God all the way.
How is the reception?
It has been fantastic, it has over 5,000 views a couple of days back. For the fact that it is completely different from what I do, it has really been awesome. People love it.
Most of your songs turn out to be hit, what is the secret?
I can only thank God for that. As an artiste, you sit in your studio, compose a song, you don’t know if people will like it or not. But God has blessed me. It is God that gives the talent and grace to express it and make people accept it.
When will the album be released?
It will be out by October. It will be on the street in October. It is a six tracker. We have Durotimi, it talks about husband and wife staying together. Another one is Be my baby. There is, Honey, I love you as well.
What next after the album?
I will release a medley entitled, You Alone. People can get free download. The medley is in preparation for another album which will be released next year. We are already on it. I will also do a campus tour as well.
It seems you travel more for shows outside the country?
Not really, I do most of my shows here in Nigeria. It is just that when you go out for shows outside the country, other people get you booked so you can perform for them before returning to Nigeria. Most of my shows are in Nigeria, though it is a plus for all artistes to travel wide in pursuit of their career.
Congratulations, your marriage clocked 10 a couple of days back. How does it feel?
It is a nice thing. I am happy to be able to talk about it. I wouldn’t say that it is because I am able to keep things together. I think I was given a husband whom God can talk to. For the number of times I feel we were going off course, God was able to talk to us and we listened to Him. I am grateful to Him for that.
What is the secret of togetherness?
It is only God that has recipe for a successful marriage. I will attribute the success to God and love. Love can only be found in God. Love is not just a feeling, it means a lot of things. Love is kind, it is patience, it has a lot of qualities. Since God is involved, things just fall in place. Every time I feel things are falling apart, I call God to fix it and He never failed.
What are the challenges you have faced in the last 10 years?
Understanding one another has been a challenge to me. When you are going out as boyfriend and girlfriend, you will think you have known everything about the person until you get married to the person. It is not as if I don’t understand him, but there are different types of understanding and communication. When communication is complete, it means we have completed the journey. So, the journey is still on, we are learning to understand each other daily.
Can you recall the period you had a misunderstanding that threatened your union?
There were many times like that. We have had our fair share. I remember a time we weren’t talking to each other. It got really serious. I had to call my pastor. I told my pastor that I was fed up of marriage. I can remember that my pastor was not around then, but he spoke with my husband that Jesus loves the church unconditionally and things were sorted out. I am glad my husband allowed someone he sees as a mentor to step into the situation.
Share some of the lessons you have learnt in the last 10 years of marriage?
I have learnt not to take some decisions on short term emotion, if you do, you may not be able to recover from the result. You need to learn how to control your emotion, if you do, anger will not overtake you. For me, everything I am able to think clearly, I get better result. I have learnt never to pay evil for evil. You just have to keep on loving. I am not talking about people in an abusive situation, they shouldn’t keep quiet and keep on loving, they should love but speak out about it.
You have two kids, should we expect more?
My husband and I are still having that argument. I don’t feel like having more. I strongly doubt that there will be more.
How do you manage the homefront when you are out of town?
My husband is my manager. When I have to travel, he takes time off his job so we can go together. If the children are on vacation, we take them along too. If not, grandma and grandpa stay with the children and their help. I have to give my husband kudos. He is really trying when it comes to that. I feel blessed that my husband is involved in my work. It makes a lot of things easy for me.
A lot of ladies find it difficult to enter the marriage institution. What is responsible for that?
I don’t know, to be honest with you. I have friends who are still single and they are fantastic people. I don’t understand what is actually happening. I think when some people miss it at a younger stage, it gets difficult to settle down when they are old. There are so many wonderful, well mannered ladies out there. I just don’t know.
A lot of marriages break down, why is it so?
Hard heartedness and it can lead to divorce. My question is, how do they hear from God if their heart is hardened. For such people, it is very difficult to forgive or love. Some people catch their spouse committing adultery yet they forgive and still love such person. Some spouses don’t treat their partners well. They give room for bitterness, that is why God said we should not allow the sun to go down on our anger. But some couples allow their anger stay for days, weeks or months.
What is your relationship with the KUSH girls?
My relationship with them is good. We are still friends, we still communicate well. Our relationship is quite chummy.
– SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN
