It was an exciting moment of Gospel music at its very best on Saturday, December 22, 2018, as gospel artistes across Ikorodu division held a concert to celebrate the festive period and bring year 2019 to a memorable close. The event, which was tagged, ‘King’s Praise (Iyin Oba)’, and held at the Fun City Centre, Lagos Road, Ikorodu, was orgaised by the Inspirational Gospel Ambassador Ministry (IGAM), a platform established for the promotion of gospel music and artistes in Ikorodu and beyond.
At the unique outing were scores of notable gospel artistes across Ikorodu division, who produced marathon soul winning performances to entertain the ecstatic gathering and also to compete for the two month watering prizes of record deal and concert tour for the best two performers. Also in attendance were revered Christian clerics, members of various Christian denominations and groups as well as representatives of the Performing Muslims Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Ikorodu chapter and Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN).
Although, the event started largely behind scheduled, but when it was eventually declared open around 2:30p.m with a brief red carpet session, performances by the performing gospel artistes ensured the guests and other participants had a memorable time all through. The convener of the Musical Concert and initiator of the Inspirational Gospel Ambassador Ministry (IGAM), Ambassador Okeshola Moses Adekunle (a.k.a Adekunlejesutemi), while delivering a brief welcome address, explained that the event is an annual gathering of gospel artistes in Ikorodu to praise God through music as a way of marking the festive period and ending the year in grand style.
Mr. Adekunle stated that his group, IGAM, was established to create a viable platform for the promotion of gospel music and artistes, and also to help in developing budding talents in the industry. While highlighting IGAM’s programmes for 2019, he said plans are in top gear to organize a musical concert across the Southwest region, where gospel artistes under IGAM records would perform. He added that the two best performers at the musical event would be awarded a record deal and concert tour in 2019.
Adekunle stressed that IGAM is committed to creating an enduring unity and friendship of mutual benefits among Christian musicians and churches while imploring members of the group to adhere strictly to the above code of conduct instituted by its management. He lauded donors for their supports and donations towards the growth and progress of IGAM and success of the annual musical event.
Among these donors are Hon. Babajimi Benson, member, Federal House of Representatives; Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Bashorun; Snr. Apostle Mother Oyinade Adesanmi (Mama Okiki Imole); Mrs. Ibijoke Efuwape (Janelight Fashion Designer); Prophet Samson Asenowo Adeleke (General Overseer, Mountain of Deliverance); Mr. Omoniyi Olayinka Olukayode (C.E.O, Olly Sound Production); Ambassador Winning Wave; Pro. Ambassador Victoria Omosanya (Malaika Jesu); Ambassador Florence Aya Adekunle and Ambassador Oyerinde (Zion Praise).
Also, Ikorodu PMAN President, while giving a brief remarks, commended IGAM for organizing the event to give praise to God during the festive period and also to showcase gospel artistes in Ikorodu. He advised the group to ensure that it maintains cordial relationship with relevant bodies and associations in the music industry, particularly GOMAN, which is the umbrella body for all gospel artistes in Nigeria. He equally urged gospel artistes to always sing songs that would win and lift people’s souls while also warning them to shun acts that could contradict their personalities as spiritual singers.
The event also featured a brief donation session for the proposed IGAM corporate office and equipment such as laptop, bus and printing machine. The event later climaxed with the marathon performances by the gospel artistes as they task their turns on the stage to entertain the cheering gathering with various spirit-laden praise songs that transmitted the entire atmosphere to the spiritual realm.
Among the gospel artistes that performed at the event were: Ambassador Okeshola Moses Adekunle (Adekunlejesutemi), Ambassador Florence Aya Adekunle, Ambassador Oyerinde Zion, Ambassador Akay Glorious, Ambassador Winning Wave, Ambassador Victoria Malaika Jesu, Ambassador Oluwakemi Ododo Jesu, Ambassador Joseph Akanfejesu, Ambassador Imole Imisi Famoritade, Comm. Odumosu Abanise and Ambassador Bakare Dare Major.
