June 22, 2018
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service
To Whom It May Concern:
My name is Aituaje Iruobe, known professionally as Waje. I am a talented Nigerian singer. It is said that my vocal range covers three octaves. This letter serves as a recommendation for Yemi Alade, an artist, song-writer, composer, actress and entertainer, whom I hold in high repute.
I launched my successful music career in 2007, and went on to win several international and local awards. For instance, in 2014, I won the World Music Awards 2014 (world best album). I have also had a successful career in the film industry. I made my acting debut in the 2014 film “Tunnel”. The same year, I won the Black Canadian Awards 2014 (Best International Act). In 2016, I was one of the four judges in the inaugural season of “The Voice Nigeria”.
Yemi Alade featured in my single, “I’m available”. Her Afripop finesse, combined with my amazing vocals, made the single a hit song. Besides, our collaboration went a long way to show how the women in the music industry can do much to uplift the collaboration culture within them. In that regard, I can testify that Yemi Alade is indeed a music star whose quality is hard to come by. She inspires me how she rose up over the years to be a household name in a music industry, which largely favors male artists more.
She has won many awards. In 2016, for instance, Mama Africa, her work, won Best Album-World Beat Award. She was also nominated for the Most Popular Musician Award in NET Honours Award. She is also active in advocacy. For instance, in partnership with Nelson Mandela Foundation and MTV Base, Yemi Alade joined a movement called “Stand Together against Covid”. On 23 September 2020, Yemi Alade was appointed a Goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to speak for protection and aiding of poor people across Africa affected by the corona virus pandemic.
Accordingly, I affirm that Yemi Alade will be a phenomenal addition to the industry in the United States, and I have zero doubts that she would see the same success in the U.S. that she has achieved in Nigeria.
Sincerely,
_______________________
Waje