A pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God J.T. Kalejaye has warned gospel artists to beware of the current craze for money noting that undue craze for money will reduce their impact.
Kalejaiye, gave the warning at the 30th anniversary celebration of the Gospel Musician Association of Nigeria (GOWAM) which held at the Blue Roof Hall of the Lagos Television recently.
He pleaded with the artistes to spend quality time with the word of God and draw their songs from God’s word. “It is from the word of God that we can get songs that will lift souls and draw people out of darkness. I want to urge you to dig deep into the word of God for the revelation of the kind songs that will draw unbelievers to God’s kingdom. Let me also say that it is very dangerous to become musicians of revenue without revelation at this end time”
While acknowledging that they have made so much impact through their music and various renditions, he urged them to jettision the craze for bogus titles and wait on God for inspiration to create soul inspiring songs.
Earlier in his welcome address, Evangelist Rotimi Orokoya (Telemi), the National President of GOMAN, called for unity among Nigerian gospel musicians and Christians. He reminded the artistes that their calling is not only for making melody to increase their pay but essentially to correct the ills in the society.
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The event whic was well organized was graced by notable Christian artistes from within and outside Nigeria. Eminent Nigerians such as Asiwaju Sir Michael Ade- Ojo, Chairman, Toyota Nigeria Ltd., Evangelist (Dr) Ebenezer Obey, Rev. Ekpenyong Bassey and Pastor J.I. Kalejaiye were present at the event, which also attracted the likes of Bishop Kayode Odulaja, Papa Solomon Akinpelu (GOMAN first president), legendary Mama Deborah Fasoyin of the Aye lo sopin fame and host of others
The fun-filled event, which was enveloped with merriment and entertainment, featured classy musical performances from top Nigerian gospel singers. The performing artistes were Funmi Aragbaiye; Bukola Akinade (aka Sewenle Jesu); Evangelist Chucks Chidube; Benita Okojie, Oshadipe twins and others.
They artistes satisfactorily thrilled participants with their diverse musical talents, stagecraft and inspiring songs. Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi performance crowned the crowned the event.
The association seized the opportunity to celebrate Evangelist Obey by honoring him and also paying tributes to him as he clocked 70 this year. He later cut a specially designed birthday cake, with the support of GOMAN members who were elegantly dressed in Ankara.
Other special features of the ceremony were the launching of the anniversary magazine him by Asiwaju Sir Michael Ade-Ojo, the distinguished Chairman of the occasion. In addition, GOMAN also gave out Excellent Merit Awards to outstanding gospel musicians, dignitaries and corporate bodies who had supported the body and the advancement of gospel music beyondNigeria. Some of the Awardees include, Sir Ade-Ojo, who bagged the highest honourary merit award’s Mama Deborah Fasoyin (leader of the legendary Good Women Choir and the oldest gospel as well as female artiste in Nigeria presently; Benita Okojie, Ambrose Somide and Baba Agboin among others.
However, the only setback of the historic event was obvious absence of its foundation and ex-execrative members such as Dupe Olulana, Mama Bola Are and Rev. Shola Rotimi (ex-presidents of GOMAN); Pastor Joseph Adelakun, aka Ayewa (1st Vice- President of GOMAN) and a host of others.
It would be called the GOMAN began an initiative of Evang (Dr. Ebenezer Obey and was supported by Pastor Akinlade in 1976, inIbadan,OyoState. Then it was known as Gospel Musicians Association. In 1988 when (GMA), the Association was formally inaugurated at CAC Agbara Olorun Kii Bati,Lagosits name was changed to Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN). The first President of the Association is Baba Solomon O. Akinpelu while Pastor Joseph Adelakun was elected Vice-President in 1979.
WORUNO VIDEO TAKES ANNY TO THE TOP
In her pacesetting effort to upgrade the quality of gospel music, video productions inNigeria, Anny Ibrahim, popularly known as Anny has finally released the video of her hit song, “Woruno. The song one of her hit tracks from latest 19 tracker album “Time”. The song which was released as a single last year had an inspiring collaboration with Sammie Okposo, a fellow kinsman and gospel superstar, who added his unique and popular Niger Delta style to make the song delightful.
According to the Delta State- born gospel songstress, the Woruno video was shot and produced byNigeria’s ace video producer, D.J. Tee. Speaking in an interview, she disclosed that the classy video was shot in different locations inNigeriato give it the Afro-centric branding it deserves. She confessed that the video cost her fortune to produce and the process was highly tasking “it was quite challenging, considering the video director, I had chosen for the song and we all know that DJ Tee is not cheap. The video cost so much, but I may not be able to put a figure to it. It actually cost me almost a million naira. I personally went the extra mile to make sure certain things were in place aside the director’s charges”. She explained.
The ex-Banker turned gospel musician, said the song is a song that touches her heart. “It’s a song I did in my dialect, Woruno means God has exceeded my expectations and it is the testimony of my music ministry”. She added.
In confirmation of Woruno video success, Thisday Newspaper’s “Rhythm and Sound rated it among the top six videos in Nigeria today. In addition, according to Today’s Music Africa Magazine ‘’Woruno is the best gospel music inNigeria presently’’.
Anny Ibrahim, Nee Emmanuel, hails from Ethiope West Local Government Area of Delta State. Her award as the Best Gospel Artiste of the year 2009 at the Appreciation of Women in Entertainment and Art Award in London was an auspicious and record-shattering contract into the league of the A-list gospel artistes in Africa. She has two album to her credit her debut album Your Mercy was released in 2009.
