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Kola Abokede, a Graduate of Public Administration
from Lagos State University, is a dynamic, vibrant
Minister with great passion for Gospel music. He
is the organiser of annual Spirit of Worship (SOW)
Gospel Music Concert.
In preparation for the 12th edition of the concert
which will hold soon, Abokede was at the
corporate headquarters of Independent
Newspapers Limited on Monday and he spoke with
Senior Reporter, Anthonia Soyingbe.
You have been in this business of organising
concert for 12 years. What are some of your
achievements?
I am not surprised you referred to it as a business,
because that has always been the mentality of
people. To me, it is not a business, but a calling
which I am dutifully carrying out in accordance
with the one who mandated me to do this. I have
been consistent in this because he has given me the
enabling grace to do it. It is not an easy road, but it
is a glorious road. We are staging our 12th edition
on Sunday, November 30, at Primrose Event Centre in
Lagos to the glory of God.
How did you start this venture?
I have been a Music Director in different Churches for
many years. I started first to create an atmosphere
where people will come together under a roof to sing
God's praises and to promote young talents in
Nigeria.
My perception about music in the kingdom is that
God is raising a people with skill, depth and
passion to revive this generation with music that will
heal the mind, spirit and soul and bring total
restoration that will illuminate salvation,
deliverance, healing, prosperity and every good thing
pertaining to life.
This is the 12th edition and we are not only
celebrating 12 years of his grace, but we are
celebrating his awesomeness as we are bringing in
praise singers from different parts of the country to
worship this Mighty King with us. Back to your
question, I have a Gospel Musical group called 'The
Rare Breed Choir,' which consists of talented gospel
singers and instrumentalists. I desire and long to see
a changed people throughout the surface of the
earth. I believe that the power in music via spirit-
filled worship can bring total redemption.
12 years down, can you share with us some of
your experience?
I am very sure if ours were secular concerts, many
corporate organisations by now will be queuing
annually to sponsor or partner with us, but since it
is gospel concert, people are not looking at our side.
We have challenges as regards sponsors. We at times
single-handedly sponsor our concerts. I am not
complaining because I know God is the giver of all
that is good. I won't blame some gospel artistes who
request for money before they perform at events
because Churches and individuals are not
encouraging gospel singers.
Eight members of my band and I were recently
invited to perform at a programme, our car developed
fault along the road, but we boarded commercial
motorcycles just to go and at the end of the day, the
organisers gave us N3000. Despite the many
challenges, God who called us will continue sustain
us.
There was a time we gave honorarium to an artiste
and immediately she returned it saying she was
sowing it back into the ministry. One of our invited
artistes about three years ago came to the venue on
motorbike because of traffic and he told me that God
sounded it into his ears to come for the event.
All Africa
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