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Tag: gospel

  • No going back on gospel music –St. Chika

    No going back on gospel music –St. Chika

    A young talented gospel singer,Chika Nwaogu a.k.a St. Chika has reiterated his commitment to promoting the gospel through music.
    “I see myself doing this for a long time coming. Gospel music is my life and I find fulfillment each time I write a song for the glory of God. No going back for me on gospel music,” St Chika who has lately been enjoying a fair share of airplay from the Nigerian music blogosphere said in an interview
    The young gospel singer who only started his  music career about two months ago has been featured on leading music platforms like 360nobs, NotJustOk, Jaguda, PraiseWorld Radio, Busy Singing amongst a host of others for his hit praise song titled ‘Higher’.
    According to St Chika, he has never paid a dime to promote his hit single “Higher”.
    He further said he has just sent it to some music blogs and the rest was history.
    “My song Higher has made it to over 100 Nigerian music blogs and have been downloaded thousands of times across this platforms in just 2 month. Sometimes I don’t believe it myself” says St. Chika.
    “It all started with me sending a bunch of voice notes of me singing to some of the songs I had written to friends on whatsapp and many of them will reply urging me to record it. They told me how much others needed to hear it and not only them; so I gave it a try and I am glad I did it.
    “I receive a lot of messages from upcoming gospel artiste asking me how I got so much blogs posting about my song and I will reply with just five simple words ‘I sent it to them’. Many of them share their story with me on how they sent their songs to these same blogs and never got a response. Sometimes I feel lucky and sometimes I feel just blessed”

  • Osun’s gospel of parliamentary democracy

    Barring any unforeseen circumstances, local government elections will hold in Osun State on January 27, 2018. At least, 332 councillorship slots will be up for grabs in an election scheduled to be the first of its kind in the life of the Rauf Aregbesola-led administration. Not only that, it will be the first in the history of the Fourth Republic that parliamentary practice will be given a shot at the local government level.

    While some professional doubters may wish to liken Osun to an administrative jungle where laws are brazenly breached and, constitutionalism, flagrantly abused, Section 22 of the Local Government (Administration) Law Cap 72A, Vol. 4, Laws of Osun State 2002 as amended states as follows: “There shall be for each local government a chairman and a vice chairman who shall be elected by the councillors of the Local Government Council from among themselves. The chairman and vice chairman shall only be elected among the councillors of the political party that has majority seat in the Local Government Council.” So, why parliamentary system in Osun?

    By the way, what does Aregbesola stand to gain by daring to walk with clear  conviction where  even  angels dare  to  tread and what roles does has the “inchoate” problem associated with local government creation in Nigeria {ref: Supreme Court’s judgement in AG Lagos v AG Federation (2004) 20 NSCQLR 99A} got to play in all of these?

    Without doubt, the creation of Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs), Area Councils and Administrative Offices in Osun was a political masterstroke by this government and Aregbesola deserves commendation for giving Osun a sense of direction and purpose. Lest we forget, ‘Ogbeni’, as he is fondly called, was a prominent member of the Bola Tinubu-led team that midwifed the LCDA system  in  Lagos State. That he is again finding a new path to rehabilitate our democracy in line with the views and position of the people clearly attests to  his valued  intelligence,  unquestionable  optimism  and  endless hope for a better Nigeria.  One can only pray other leaders would tap into the sheer force of his personality and the power of his ideas.

    Again, why the introduction of parliamentary system in Osun and where do we go for succour, in case our cherished system becomes captivated by the culture of corruption and inefficient management system usually associated with our Nigerianness?

    By design, parliamentary democracy is meant to encourage quicker legislative action, primarily because the executive branch is a product of the support of the legislative branch which in turn “includes members of the legislature.” In an environment like ours where ethnic, racial, even religious and ideological animosity has been elevated into statecraft, parliamentary practice serves as an effective instrument for direct political participation and even distribution of power. Also, the likelihood of a drastic drop in the rush for; and friction at the centre under parliamentary practice is high. And, apart from its ability to carry along with it a spectacular increase in political activities across the state, Aregbesola’s innovative revolution is most likely to generate robust discussions on the way forward for a democratic Nigeria.

    Quite clearly, it is because we have failed to test our laws that dysfunctional political system has become commonplace scandal in Nigeria. Contrary to projections, parliamentary system runs the risk of becoming a mere fig leaf by which Nigerians seek good governance and socio-economic liberation unless the fine issues of its cumulative impact are clearly defined. In any case, this is where the involvement of critical stakeholders like the youth, traditional institutions and civil society groups in exploring all the opportunities that an election of this nature and timing presents comes in. Church and state must also collaborate in the overall interest of the electorate, exploring the strengths and inspirations that the exercise will be throwing open. Essentially, political parties must read the signs right by going into the contest with their best, votes-worthy candidates.

    Walter Bagehot famously describes ability to do “what the people say you cannot do” as “the greatest pleasure in life.”  Like a field of driven snow, Osun governorship election is less than a year away! Agreed! No two elections are the same. However, the tragedy of victory is that success at the January 2018 poll may not necessarily translate into victory on September 22, 2018 unless some purposeful political reengineering is done where necessary. On the other hand, the fact that All Progressives Congress (APC) got it wrong on July 8, does not mean that all hope is lost for the party. All the more reason the Aregbesola-led administration must pray towards turning the counsel of the Ahithophels to nought! Truth  be told:  Nigerians are hungry and their quality of life has become so unimpressive that, should the opportunity present itself again, one is not in doubt of President Muhammadu Buhari’s recalibrating  the illusion of ‘belonging to  nobody’ and “everybody”. Sad therefore that Osun is being treated as a case in isolation!

    At a time like this, clarifying extant confusions troubling Nigeria’s Israel may tend to suffer from conceptual impressions. Petty quarrels among brothers also have the capacity to snowball into politically-motivated eruptions of cataclysmic proportions if not accorded the honour of fragility it deserves. To this end, necessary steps must be taken to urgently address all ideological disputations that may want to pitch APC members in the tents of Us versus Us. Most importantly, the salary dislocation which has so far proved to be no respecter of party, racial or gender affiliations must be  courageously confronted in a way that will  ultimately  leave  all parties convinced that the country’s present pass truly has an expiry date.

    Let me by way of conclusion state that, on a good day, an election of this shape and size should afford members of the ruling party a rare opportunity of closing ranks for the purpose of retaining the state for the party in 2018. The hope is that events as they happened in Edo State on September 28, 2016 and Ondo State on November 26, 2016 would provide lessons sufficient enough for the ruling party to deactivate opposition’s fantasy that it is the party of choice in Osun.

     

    • Komolafe  writes from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State.
  • When Conflict Can be a Good Thing in Church

    When Conflict Can be a Good Thing in Church

    If you’ve been attending church for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed–or even been a part of–a conflict in the congregation. It could be over something as important as theology or something as trivial as what kind of carpeting should go in the fellowship hall. It’s often surprising how quickly disagreement can arise, especially when deeply held religious beliefs get involved.

    Since all churches are made up of sinners saved by God’s grace, it is likely that all churches will experience conflict at one time or another. This can lead church leaders to yearn for peace and unity–certainly a characteristic of a congregation that the New Testament frequently instructs churches to pursue.

    Sometimes, however, striving after peace and unity can become an idol and can actually lead to stifled spiritual growth in a congregation.

    In his article “Beware the Satisfied Church” for The Gospel Coalition, pastor and author Trevin Wax notes: “[I]t’s easy for Christians who have been through a season of conflict or discontentment to pursue peace and satisfaction as the goal. It’s easy for churches to imagine that it’s a sign of faithfulness when everyone is getting along and everyone is satisfied.”

    Pastors, church leaders, and members of a congregation can easily fall into thinking that their church is exactly where it should be as long as there are no complaints, everyone agrees on the type of worship music, and no one is made too uncomfortable by the pastor’s sermon.

    When this view is adopted, however, the church moves away from its true purpose and becomes more of a social club than a dynamic gathering of believers seeking to further the Gospel.

    In some cases, Wax notes, being too content at church may actually signal that something is wrong.

    “Yes, we are right to pursue unity and peace in the church. But we are wrong to assume that the absence of conflict or complaint indicates that things are going in the right direction,” he writes. “The satisfaction of church members may be a sign not of faithfulness, but of widespread complacency.”

    This can be a fine line. As with most things in life, we seem to seek to be comfortable with a new environment (work, school, church, etc.), and then once we reach that place of comfort and security, we are often tempted to plateau and not challenge ourselves or step outside our comfort zones.

    The purpose of gathering together with fellow believers in a church setting is to receive edification, fellowship with other Christians, and hear from God’s Word, but another purpose of attending church is for us to take our faith beyond that church building and into our communities where it may not feel as natural and comfortable.

    “But the reality holds true: the satisfied church that isn’t reaching people for Jesus is satisfied in the wrong things,” writes Wax. …”The satisfied church is not a holy congregation; it may just be a complacent one.”

    Satisfaction is not a negative thing. It’s a very good thing if it’s placed in Christ! The Bible encourages us to find our satisfaction in God and not in worldly things–which can include idolized pursuit of our personal preferences and comfort.
    “This paradox is important,” Wax continues. “Churches most satisfied in God will be the most dissatisfied with their own spiritual state. They want to see God’s name magnified throughout their city and around the world. They will be dissatisfied–filled with holy discontent over the current state of their church, and they’ll be yearning to reach more for Christ, to do more for others, to serve more in his name.”

    Next time you attend church, praise God for the ways the congregation is functioning peacefully and in unity. But also, if there is conflict on certain issues, instead of being tempted to become frustrated, argumentative, or defensive, seek out ways in which these challenges can be opportunities for your growth and the growth of your fellow believers. You never know how God may be using our human imperfection to draw others to Himself and to glorify His name.

    First Published by Crosswalk

  • Live out the gospel, Christians charged

    The Convener of Manifesting Him, Pastor Tunde Adebola, has charged Christians in the market place to use their gifts, talents, skills, networks and opportunities to promote the gospel.

    He spoke at the 2nd edition of Manifesting Him conference in Lagos.

    Adebola said Christians in the market place must realise their place of work is their primary place of assignment to preach and live the gospel message.

    “God is in search of men and women who will become icons for His purpose in the market place. Men that will light the gospel with their words and deeds in the market place,” he stressed.

    Adebola pointed out that the world will continue to grow in darkness and helplessness if Christians are laid back and indifferent in proclaiming Christ and His demands within their immediate environments.

    He lamented that there are many active Christians in church but their lives do not tally with Christ’s injunctions in the market place.

    “We are privileged to know God in all that we do. Let us celebrate Him and don’t hide Him in a corner.

    “It is in celebrating God that our life can fully experience full potential,” he said.

    He restated the commitment of the group to help Christians in the marketplace maximise their impact through identifying, developing and deploying their God-given talents to help individual and corporate organisations derive values from Jesus.

    “We seek to be the leading purveyor of resources that would facilitate the identification, development and deployment of Christians who will make a positive generational impact in the marketplace by build an army of Christians who would relentlessly pursue the fulfilment of their God-given destinies in the marketplace,” Adebola stated.

  • ‘The kind of gospel that will save Nigeria’

    ‘The kind of gospel that will save Nigeria’

    Senior Pastor of The Stone Church Ibadan, Pastor Alex Adegboye, speaks with Sunday Oguntola on recent happenings in the church as well as how the gospel can transform Nigeria. Excerpts: 

    What has been happening lately in the church?

    During our 20th anniversary in 2013, we moved into a new 3,000-seater auditorium. We have also tried to restructure the ministry in a way that we now have a youth church.

    Autonomous youth church?

    Yes, independent. They use the main auditorium we were using before.

    But some church leaders don’t want the youth church. Why did you choose to go that direction?

    I want it because I believe as I watch succession from generation to generation, I discovered a lot of young people can’t fully settle into the adult church. Their culture is kind of different and Christianity not deep enough. I realised we were not really communicating to them.

    So, I thought of a way to find somebody who can communicate to them in their languages at their level to motivate them. My vision actually is what we used to have on campuses. The campus fellowship is headed by one of them of their ages with similar challenges and they form the core that reach out to other fellow students.

    What we do in the church now, we have what we call the children’s church, which includes teenagers’ church. Then we have the youth church and adult church. Once in a year, we graduate from children church to the youth church.

    The pastor of the junior church hands over to the youth church while the pastor of the youth church hands over to the main pastor. I meet with these three pastors three times in a year where we talk about what is going on.

    This has helped a lot because a lot of these young ones would have usually disappeared. So, we make sure they graduate formally and are planted in various departments and ministries. They do very well and become work force of the adult church.

    Are you thinking of retirement?

    Not immediately, but my role definitely will change in the next 10 years.

    To what?

    I will not be pastoring the local church again. I expect that by that time, I will be more into strengthening the leadership.

    Apostolic ministry?

    More apostolic and strengthening leadership of all the churches we have planted around the world. By then, I will not be bothered by all the daily running of the local church. But I want to have people in place who have the spirit of the ministry. It will even move from church to church.

    My desire is to hand over to people who won’t move from one place to the other but people groomed in the system, more solid in the long run.

    How autonomous are your local branches?

    They are fully autonomous to the extent that they remit only 20 percent of their tithes and offerings.

    Why just 20 percent?

    Because I think that is fair considering they have their programmes too. I know some churches do a lot more but I just say bring 20 percent and use the rest for the local assemblies. They have special offerings that are not remitted at all

    You don’t ask for special offerings?

    No, we put it into special account to plant other churches. It goes into other branches, which are financed from the headquarters.

    But the branches are not financed?

    They are financed two years into their take-off.

    You get them the facilities?

    We do everything, including salaries for pastors and bills for two years. After two years, they become autonomous.

    Why?

    I want them to be autonomous because I don’t believe in transferring pastors.

    You don’t transfer?

    No.

    Why?

    I believe every church you pastor is your ministry.

    And you need time

    And you need time. So, if you are there and you do it well, it will survive. If you don’t do it well, it is left to you.

    The danger is that people will say those pastor will become more powerful.

    I don’t mind.

    Why won’t you mind when you are the GO?

    I believe that everyone that comes under my leadership has come so that I can help him to be what God wants him to be, not to put him under me. I actually expect they should be bigger than me and I encourage them to write books, go on television and radio of their own.

    People will say you are not clipping their wings but allowing them to fly

    I don’t believe in clipping anybody’s wing.

    But has that helped? Haven’t you lost out in a way?

    No, I have not, up to date.

    No break away?

    There was one that left but he returned on his own. He said he found out it was better he stayed back so he came back. But I said ‘you can’t pastor any branch again. Come and stay with me here.’

    When he left, did you commission him off?

    No, he said he was going and I said bye. So, we took another person. He launched the ministry and I went to help him launch it. I preached at the launching. There was no animosity at all.

    So what do you gain in allowing them to thrive?

    Some of them really thrive and become more effective ministers.

    What is in it for you operating that way?

    A sense of fulfillment. I feel when I help somebody and at the end of the day I am better off for it because they will never speak ill of me. I am fulfilled doing it.

    What’s this year convention all about?

    The theme is greater works. What we want to do is to focus on greater works of the kingdom. I believe this nation will not be saved by political associations, parties, economic policies or any political leaders. It will be saved through the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ and not just gospel of words.

    It is the gospel of power. I expect God will demonstrate His power. I think if we have the kind of works that we should have in the church, which Jesus calls greater works, this nation would have been saved long ago. But we have lots of talks, a lot of motivational stuff, which have their own place. But to save the nation, we need solid demonstration of God’s power.

    But you have been known for word ministration

    Yes. If it is real word, it produces signs and wonder.

    Some people will say you are trying to veer off

    I am a word person, but the word that is not producing power is not a complete word.

    So the word is not powerless?

    No, the word, actually, is the power of God.

    Something must have trigged off this dimension. Was it an experience, inspiration, revelation?

    I never believed in the gospel without power. Word doesn’t mean there is no power. If it was just word, I wouldn’t be saved. I have never been impressed by well-crafted, smooth-talking preachers. I needed an experience because I grew up in the palace. I grew up among powers of darkness, witches and wizards everywhere and I knew that if a witch encounters you, you had better have power.

    If not, they will kill you. I saw my parents die in very embarrassing circumstances when we were absolutely powerless, and we believed very strongly that it was witches and wizards that killed them.

    Up till now?

    We have no reason to change that view because they died mysteriously. Of course, doctors will tell you there were certain diseases and I knew there must be something supernatural about their deaths. We lost them at very young ages. My mother died when I was 10 years. My dad when I was 17.

    So, I knew there must be something supernatural in this world beyond word. And as I read the bible, I found out that Jesus Christ was very supernatural. He didn’t do just words; He is a great teacher that did a lot of great works. So, I have always believed in the gospel of power.

    So you don’t believe economic policies, government policies or any other thing will save Nigeria but the gospel?

    The gospel has two prongs: demonstrating of power and wisdom. Supernatural wisdom, which is what I think many of the motivational speakers get across to us. But where they fall short is that they do not have supernatural wisdom. They just have the wisdom of this world.

    I tell people that all these inventions like I-phones and Microsoft that changed our lives are supernatural. They came by inspirations. The founder of Microsoft just imagined everyone having a computer on the table. Such supernatural wisdom is also part of God’s power.

    If we embrace the gospel, such inspiration comes from it. Everybody will not be a preacher. People will be in the marketplace. If we have the wisdom of God, we’d have better journalists and medical doctors with supernatural insights into solutions.

    And that is the kind of gospel we need in Nigeria?

    Absolutely.

  • Why I went gospel – Patoranking

    Why I went gospel – Patoranking

    Ancehall artiste, Patoranking, who recently released his latest work titled God Over Everything (GOE) in a recent interview, revealed the reason of the gospel-like title.

    “I’m somebody that my music depicts my lifestyle, everything that has to be about my upbringing and how I rose to fame,” he said.

    “Patoranking generally, the life and times of Patoranking. I got to figure out that a lot of people want to be famous, a lot of people want to be known for different things, for wearing the best designers. Others for having a lot of properties. But you know not everybody knows that despite everything you have, it’s still vanity, it’s still God over everything.

    “The album is about love, about God, and it’s about where I come from, and where I’m headed to. In as much as you are trying to dance, just always remember that it is still God over everything. No matter what you possess, no matter what you do in life, it should be a thought that has to go with your day to day activity. No matter the amount of money I have on earth, it is still God. That’s why we chose the title God Over Everything.

    Patrick Nnaemeka Okorie, better known by his stage name Patoranking, is a Nigerian reggae-dancehall singer and songwriter with family roots in Ebonyi State. The artiste who was one of the judges at the just concluded The Voice Nigeria is known for hit tracks like My Woman, My Everything, Girlie ‘O’ and Alubarika.

  • GOD’S OWN RADICALS: GOSPEL MUSIC NOT FOR BUSINESS

    GOD’S OWN RADICALS: GOSPEL MUSIC NOT FOR BUSINESS

    With over a decade experience in the industry, gospel singing duo, Mr. and Mrs. Ola Oke, a.k.a. God’s Own Radicals (GOR) say that they have big plans for their fans. The couple spoke with OLATUNDE ODEBIYI on why they kept faith with gospel music and how they combine music with marriage and job, among other things.

    HOW did you meet?

    We met about 14 years ago at Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University in Ogun State), while we were students and discovered we both liked music. We started singing together as a result of our meeting and our love for music.

    And so far what has the experience been like?

    The Nigerian music industry has always come with its regular challenges and we have being able to cope with it all the years.

    Compare to when you started, how do you see the industry now?

    It was quite challenging when we started singing. We started with hip-hop which was not appreciated then, especial in our genre. From the onset, we had always being on the radical side of music but people were then praising God with clapping hands and moving from left to right without shaking too much of themselves. Our type of music then had a bit of challenge. You may get to a church to minister and everybody is just looking at you like they don’t understand what you are saying.

    How did you overcome that?

    Over the years, music has developed and has become more radical; people are experimenting more with different styles, we have more music artists than we had 10 years ago and it has evolved to an appreciable level that it is catching the younger generation,” she said.

    What kind of music are you into?

    We are predominantly into Christian music. We use different vehicles to pass the message across. Sometimes we can use hip pop, rap or Makossa. Our songs come in different art forms but, the underpinning message of our songs is that the word of God, the glory of Christ and the inspiration of every Christian believer and non believer alike is shared.

    How easy has it being over the years to do purely Christian music in Nigeria?

    It has been challenging. First, it has to be a calling, because if you are not called to do Christian music, you would not be able to stay on it. Gospel music is not for business. To do purely Christian music is not as financially rewarding when compared to what others call secular music. If you want to do purely Christian music, you have to first understand that you are called into a ministry and money is not your primary aim.

    What keeps you going in the gospel music industry?

    The passion for God has kept us going. We love God a lot, and he has been our underlying factor over the years. If money or people are your driving force as a gospel musician, you will fall by the way side, because those two things will fail some day.

    How do you combine music, marriage and holding a job?

    We have to take everything a day and a step at a time. On a typical day, we wake up in the morning, rush to get to work, tend to the children, and when we come back from work; we try to relax and attend to music. We try to find a balance for everything we have to do. Sometimes we want to do certain things, but because the other person doesn’t want to do it, we have to find a way to cajole, sometimes bully, sometimes fight and just find a way to do it one way or the other to make it work.

    How do you compose your songs?

    We compose their songs as they come. There is no specific formula for it. The songs come in different forms. Sometimes the idea for a song comes in the rest room, in the car or anywhere.  The message of the song sometimes comes first and then the music follows, or the other way round. Each song comes in its own unique way.

    What inspires your songs?

    God is the first thing that inspires our songs. The things we see around and things happening in church that are not particularly in agreement with what the word of God also inspire us.

    You’ve been married for over 10 years and you have a beautiful girl, how has it being?

    Marriage feels normal to us. We had our fears and challenges, issues and argument but we have held on to the commitment and the vow we made to each other, which we do not intend to break or walk away from.

    Have you won any awards?

    In 2014, we won the Nigerian Gospel Music Award for the Best Music Group or Duo in Nigeria. We also have been nominated in a couple of awards, including, crystal awards in 2013, 2014 and 2015; Nigerian Gospel Music Awards in 2012, 2013 and 2014 and Mega awards in 2014.

    So far, have you released any album?

    We have two albums released in 2010 and in 2012. We also have a 17 track mixtape titled Unleashed released in 2011 and six-track EP called The Lost Sessions. We are currently working on our third album which should be released later this year.

    What is the content of the album?

    The third album has two core messages. It has the message of praise. The songs in the album are dedicated to praising God, thanking him. The album is also dedicated to inspiring people, urging them not to give up; not to lose hope but to trust in God.

    What is your message for the Nigerian music industry?

    There is need to do music that makes sense in Nigeria. A lot of songs outside gospel music just have nice beats, they sound nice but there is a lot of crap being passed across. We cannot rule our society on the rhythm and quack jobs that people jump into the studio to record these days. Gospel musicians must stay in tune with the word of God. If you get rich, fine but you must have it at the back of your mind that getting rich should not be the ultimate aim of a gospel artist.

    How then will gospel artistes survive?

    Those who take gospel music as a means of livelihood must know that the genre is primarily a ministry and a calling. Some people say there should be a business side gospel music, but, I don’t know how you want to run a ministry as a business. When gospel musicians see gospel music as a business, they would easily lose sight of what the main thing is.

    As a gospel artist, you should not be in the category of mediocre music. It is not just by saying praise Jesus; if you do not sing the song well, get good producers, and synchronise everything according to what the present world needs, you could lose direction and at the end of the day. But if you have a standard and your standard is at the top, you will find out that you don’t need to start begging people to buy your songs, or sow into your ministry, you will find out that financially every other thing will set into place.

    Regarding protecting Intellectual Property in Nigeria, do you think the music industry is where it should be?

    Disrespect for Intellectual Property right is one of the challenges in the music industry. A lot of musicians do not know about it. There is an information gap as to what makes up Intellectual Property rights for artists and producers, and because we do not really have a proper music structure in Nigeria, fighting for those rights has been difficult.

     A few of those organisations who have taken up the responsibility are trying but they are having challenges because the system and structure in Nigeria is upside down. Radio stations that should pay an artist for playing his or her song actually collect money from the artist to play the song. In fact you find the artist begging the radio station with his own money for them to play his own song when it should be the other way round. For the television station, artist pays money for video to be aired when it should be the other way round.

    What is the way forward?

    There is a need for more awareness to educate and inform people about their rights. Media practitioners too need to help. Artists are at a point where they are giving their talent, money and everything, and getting little or nothing back from their effort.

  • MUSIC PROMOTER, GOSPEL ARTISTE DECRY LAX OBSCENITY LAWS

    IMMORAL songs and films are thriving in Nigeria because there is laxity in the enforcement of laws against obscenity, an Ilorin-based music promoter, Adedotun Ajala has said.

    Mr. Ajala who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Moyinnet Entertainment alleged that those who patronise sleazy songs are corrupt in mind.

    He spoke with The Nation in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital during the launch of a Christian album, Elevating, by a budding artiste, Akinmameji Oluwole, aka Ebony prince.

    Ajala added that “between 80 and 85 percent of contemporary artistes in Nigeria are not promoting Nigerian culture. But there are some of them that are promoting Nigerian cultural heritage. Some produce in the traditional Nigerian languages. Some sing about something you can see in the society that is educational in a way. Unfortunately, the ones that flood that the industry, are the ones that produce lyrics that are against the cultural settings of Nigeria. And before you know it one promoter somewhere will promote them.

    On piracy, he said that “if a musician has money to produce his music in large quantity, he would have outsmarted the pirates. Pirates will have little or nothing to do.

    “Government can really assist in the cost of production and make the work available to virtually everybody. Pirates will see it as not a worthwhile venture. I will put my cost into consideration before putting my unit price. By the time my unit price the selling price would have gone. That is why I said the major challenge is fund. If I have the fund I will do more copies. The more you do your copies the lesser the price,” he said.

  • Sharing the joy of gospel

    Sharing the joy of gospel

    Members of the Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS) have organised free medical service for members of the University of Benin (UNIBEN) to mark their annual Week. EDDY UWOGHIREN (300-Level Medicine and Surgery) reports.

    The University of Benin (UNIBEN) chapter of the Nigerian Federation of Catholic Students (NFCS) has held its Week. Members of the fellowship suspended their academic engagement to participate in the week-long event with the theme: Evangeli Guadum, which mean “the joy of the gospel” in English.

    The event started with a rally that had the Catholic students moved round the campus to sensitise members of the university community on the week.

    Reverend Father Joseph Edia of St Patricks Catholic Church in Ugbowo, while declaring the event open last week Monday, urged the students to share the benefits of Christ’s gospel with unbelievers. Giving the distinction between a missionary and a preacher, Edia called on the students to live their lives in line with the dictate of the Holy Bible.

    The cleric revealed that the theme of the week was the message of the first encyclical of Pope Francis upon assumption of office.

    On the next day, members of D’Reperio theatre, NFCS’ troupe, acted a drama titled Eda (The wasted life). The drama, which was staged at St Albert Catholic Church in UNIBEN, featured choreographic display, poetry and musical rendition.

    •A NFSC member (right) prescribing drug to a student
    •A NFSC member (right) prescribing drug to a student

    On Wednesday, the students held a medical outreach at Hall 3 Car Park on the campus, where no fewer than 200 students benefited from the gesture. The beneficiaries got free medical counselling, eye screening, dental check-up and free drugs distribution. There was also blood donation exercise.

    Emmanuel Uchechukwu, the NFCS president, while speaking during the medical outreach, said the association deemed it important to bring free healthcare to the students, because of their busy academic schedules that prevented from going for regular check-up at the school health centre.

    He said the aim was to make students fit to write the upcoming examination. He added that NFCS members had a mandate to touch lives their immediate community.

    The outreach was followed by a visit to the Benin Medium Prison on Sapele Road, Benin City, where they were received by the officers, who conducted them round the facilities. The visit provided opportunity for the prison warden to share some of the challenges being faced at the penitentiary. “We have a school here for the inmates but the school lacks teachers to teach them. We would be glad if you can create time during your holidays to teach the inmate,” said one of the officials, who refused to give his name.

    The students later held a fellowship session within the prison premises. Addressing the inmates, Godwin Abhulimhen, a 400-Level Medical Laboratory Sciences student, told them not to feel condemned because of their present predicament. “Being free is a thing of the mind,” Godwin said.

    The sermon was based on story of biblical Joseph, who went to prison for an offence he did not commit. Godwin told the inmates that God had better plans for them, despite their condition. He ended his sermon, telling them to acquire skills while in the prison and apply lessons learnt when they are released.

    On Friday, the students held a dinner, where they presented award to some affiliate associations and some staff of the school. The awardees include the UNIBEN Public Relations Officer (PRO) Micheal Osasuyi, who was named the fellowship’s Man of the Year, and Mrs Jane Chinelo, NFCS Woman of the Year.

    Also, Catholic Law Students Association (CALSA) was honoured as Most Outstanding Faculty Unit, while Catholic Science Students Association (CASA) was awarded as the fastest growing faculty unit.

    On Sunday, the fellowship held a thanksgiving, which had members dressed in uniformed attires.

    Reverend Father Andrew Obiyan, who presided over the thanksgiving mass, praised the students for the success of the event. He encouraged them to let the lessons they learnt during the week reflect in their behaviour. He later told the students to return back to classroom and study for their examination.

    Ekure Elohor, a 400-Level Dentistry and Dental Surgery student, hailed the association for holding successful week, saying the event gave her an opportunity to relax and move close to God.

     

     

     

  • ‘I DON’T DO GOSPEL FOR MONEY’

    ‘I DON’T DO GOSPEL FOR MONEY’

    Gospel crooner and worshipper, Emmanuel Chukwudi, whose stage name is Bishop C Praize, spoke to JANE KOLADE about his passion for gospel music and his source of inspiration.

    HOW was growing up like for you? It was tough because I lost my dad at a tender age, when I was eleven years old. My mum tried her best to give me a secondary education, and I eventually went out on the streets to fend for myself. So, I was unable to further my education until twelve years after I left secondary school, and it was a personal promise I made to myself. I studied Industrial Relations and Personnel Management at the Lagos State University (LASU). But my passion is still music. That is all I do, nothing else.

    Where were you born?

    Here in Lagos, somewhere in Bariga.

    At what point in life did you realise that you wanted to pursue music as a career?

    Music has always been a part of me. As a child, I would gather kids together to sing, whether in school, in church, or with friends, wherever. The choirmaster noticed that I loved to sing, and it has always been a part of me. Although I can’t say that anyone in my family was into music, I do know that my late father loved music. So as early as age five, I was already singing. Usually, as early as four a.m., we would start playing music, which is why there is hardly any song you play from back in the day that I am not familiar with. Some days we would go traditional, some days Don Williams and so on, I guess that is where the love comes from; so it is just a part of me.

    If you were not doing music, what would you be doing?

    I really can’t imagine what I would be doing if not music. I would probably be working in an office. I did try it but I was not fulfilled because I am a restless person, and prefer to work on the field. I once tried working at a financial institution as a clerk for nine months, but I could not stay. But I find joy in things that have to do with the gospel.

    Are you completely satisfied with your career in music?

    I am just praying that God will increase it, and make it bigger than at present. Especially as many musicians build their career in music and are happy, I can name names; the likes of Don Moen. They are millionaires.  Although for me, music is not about the money, but about making impact. God is blessing their work. However, I believe that the most important thing is to find your niche, and God will bless it. I already know where I am going.

    What genre of music do you play?

    Gospel with different influences. It would be easier to define if it were secular music. Anyway, some would say Afro- rock, fuji, reggae, rap etc

    Why gospel music?

    That is what I have been created to do. That is settled in my spirit, because everything I have has come through my voice. I have not worked anywhere else, save for my brief stint with the bank, and everything has come through my voice; children, car, everything.

    Have you ever done any other type of music (outside gospel)?

    No.

    Are you married?

    I am married to a beautiful damsel.

    Do you have kids?

    I have some from my last marriage, and she passed on four years ago. And I remarried last year.

    How do you relax?

    I relax by playing music, and sometimes I watch movies, but mostly music. Whenever I am not engaged with performing and such, I can stay indoors the whole day with music. I don’t go clubbing and such. I tried it once, but it did not work. I discovered it was not my place.

    Why? Why didn’t it work?

    That’s not my place. I found that I could not stay there, and left immediately. It is not an environment I should find myself.

    Not your place, in what way?

    I felt out of place when I got there. What would I be doing there, singing praise worship? So I left. It just didn’t work for me.

    How come you only do gospel music?

    Somehow, I don’t feel inspired to write such songs. I believe that everything we do is from inspiration.  I receive songs, and have well over thirty-five unrecorded songs, and fifteen demos, but as yet there is no non-gospel song among them. God gives them to me, and I record them on my phone, or any device, and later go back to develop them. But I am yet to receive a non gospel song.

    That is not to say that I cannot write them, by virtue of my training as a singer, but as yet I have not been inspired to do so.  I can easily sit down to compose a love song. But inspiration is not something I sit down to cook; I hear it, and know it is not my idea, and put it down. I have to be inspired to do them, most of my songs are by inspiration.

    Maybe, someday, if God wants me to do that. That is not to say that I might not do that in the future if I am led. Neither am I saying that there is anything wrong with love songs. I might do one in the future, if God releases me to do that, and if it is not vulgar, or contrary to God’s word, why not?  If only to encourage people to love each other, and be together. Maybe someday if I am inspired to do it, I will.

    Do you have any form of formal musical training?

    Funny enough, I didn’t even know when I said that, but I have never attended any formal music school to learn the art of music, apart from seminars, and training programmes on the job. Most of the knowledge I acquired has come naturally, apart from titbits picked up during rehearsals with veteran entertainers, and trainers, voice training, and exercise. So, maybe the training is inborn, but inspiration and practice sharpen the skill. So the training programmes I have attended have taught me a lot; stage craft, composition, how to deliver, how to carry the audience along, all that put together will bring out something in you.

    You are known to be a very passionate musician, and an energetic performer. Where do the passion, drive, and energy come from? In the secular world, many performers need some substances to motivate themselves to perform; in your case, how do you do that?

    I am by nature very restless, and can’t stand still. So that rubs off on my performance. I can’t imagine performing on one spot, some entertainers can, but I don’t have the grace for that. But temperament has a lot to do with that. Even in the pastoral world, for instance, pastors have their peculiar style. Pastor Adeboye can minister on a spot for two hours, but Bishop Mike Okonkwo can’t do that, neither can Pastor Oyakhilome.

    So it really boils to temperament differences. And when I sing, I sing from my stomach, not from my head, which is why I love to carry the audience along, because I minister on two planes; God and the audience. Taking the people to God’s presence, and if you do it on your own, you won’t get there; whether in worship or praise. I am only the channel.  And as a human being, the few times I am not energetic or depressed and not my usual energetic self, the audience notice, and do ask.