The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Region 26 recently organised a Praise Encounter, an Easter programme in commemoration of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. During the programme, some gospel artistes were invited to perform at the event. DAVID ADEJO reports
Meemingly, the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Region 26 in Ikorodu has become synonymous with organising soul-lifting praises. At the event, gospel artistes were invited to enliven the event with strong renditions of songs of praises performed to the delight of many. The event was encapsulated in a programme called Praise Encounter. Yearly, the annual ritual holds in Ikorodu every Easter Sunday. This year’s Praise Encounter was held at the Federal Radio Corporation Ground, Ijede, Ikorodu Lagos.
The annual event is a showcase not only for praise singing but also for appraisal of some of the societal contradictions. Any wonder, the Continental Overseer for Southwest and United Arab Emirates, Pastor Johnson Funso Odesola, condemned clerics whose preaching promotes disunity and ethnic bigotry. The criticism was the fallout of the 2023 general elections during which some clerics were alleged to have taken sides and harped on issues that apparently divide instead of uniting the already fractured Nigerian society
Pastor Odesola, at the fourth edition of the event said no right-thinking Man-of-God would preach along ethno-religious lines and hatred. In his Easter message titled “He’s Alive,” Odesola said it was unfortunate that some clerics were found preaching religious and ethnic bigotry which has the tendency to cause disunity among Nigerians. “The Risen Christ is alive. He urged us to go everywhere doing good. His promises sustain us in life,” he said.
Continuing, Odesola said: “The last time, we recorded over 10, 000 worshipers and today, the crowd is massive. So, we have a promise of God in Psalms 91:1-2 that says ‘He that dwells in the secret place of God shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.’ So, we don’t need to be afraid.” Odesola said Ikorodu used to be a volatile area known for such crimes as kidnapping, secret cults, robbery and other forms of criminalities. When God is about to do something, no one can stop Him.” Odesola said.
The Assignments Coordinator 111 and Regional Coordinator 111 of RCCG Ikorodu, Pastor Dale Olowookere, said God harkens to the praises of his people. “When you praise God, He will bless the land, the power of God has come upon the land and it will yield its increase. We are recording over 14,000 worshipers and some are still on their way coming. We have over 12 guest artistes and some are on their way coming. We are not going to lower the bar but set more standards for growth and development since God and man regard praises as something they love in common,” Olowookere said.
One of the gospel artistes, Sola Allyson, said she was excited to be speaking to youth in an environment that is conducive to them so as to focus on God and would not make the mistake that young ones used to do. “I am not disappointed to be in the midst of these wonderful youths again. The last time I came to minister to them, I know many of them are going to leave here changed people,” she said.
Allyson prayed that the Spirit of God should grow among them and be fruitful. She maintained that grace is not cheap and that someone paid for it. “I pray for them so that they can see the love of God for them. It is not cheap to have the grace of God. I ask the Holy Spirit to fill their hearts with the substances of God’s word so that when the challenges of the world come, they will be able to withstand it,” she said.
Chuks Uche’s electrifying performance ignited the over 20,000 people present. Most of his songs were rendered in Igbo. His expectation for the congregation was for them to receive miracles through his songs, saying: “I am working on my album. Soon this year, it will be a source of blessing to my fans and to the glory of God. As I minister to the people and they receive miracles, I am also blessed,” Chuks said.
Adejumobi Oluwatosin, another gospel minister, popularly known as Tosin Bee, has become a force to reckon with as he has warmed himself into the hearts of Christians and non-Christians with his brand. His performance at this year’s Praise Encounter was awesome and spectacular with much energy and youthfulness was much loved by the congregation when he stepped on the stage. Bee said: “God has been so kind to me and I give Him the glory tonight. He took control and that is why you saw the Holy Spirit move among the congregation.”
One of the organisers and Provincial Pastors of RCCG, General Assembly, Lagos Province 58, Ginti Ikorodu Lagos Pastor Godwin Obadan promised to bring more artistes in subsequent editions. “We have more popular artistes who promised to perform at “Praise Encounter” next year. The space challenge has been well taken care of and we also provided more spaces for cars this year. We will intensify our efforts in crowd control. Our medical team is fantastic. We have over 20, 000 participants, especially youth this year,” Obadan said.
Other artistes at the all-night event were Sax Boy, Provincial Choir Group, Regional 26 Mass Choir Group, RCCG Orchestra Mass Choir, Taiwo Wemimo, Famakin Famzy, Yinka Alaseyori, and Wisdom Chigozie. Also in attendance were His Royal Majesty, Oba Adeoriyomi Oluwasesan Abdul-Akeem Oyebo (Ademoyebo lll) Obateru of Egbin Kingdom and other fathers of Ikorodu land.