Again, history was made at the annual global gospel concert tagged: The Experience 13, an event organised by the visionary of the House on the Rock Church, Paul Adefarasin, as worshippers from all spheres of life had yet another lifetime experience in an 11-hour praise singing.
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The historical Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan Lagos Island, became a Mecca of sort, following the crowd that besieged the metropolitan city, last Friday; even the heavy traffic was a hindrance for people to have a feel of the excitement of this year’s event.
The national park was overflew with worshippers and dignitaries, as all the guest artistes, including, Tope Alabi, Chioma Jesus, Donnie Mcclurkin, Travis Greene, Planet Shakers, Ada, Nathaniel Bassey, Vicki Yohe, Glowreeyah, J. J. Hairston, Mike Aremu, Don Moen, Eben, Kirk Franklin, Tim Godfrey, Onos, Timi Dakolo and Chee, led them in praise offering.
Popular actor, RMD; ace comedian, Ali Baba; artiste-cum-actor, Banky W, and his wife, Etomi, Akpororo, Funny Bone, Kenny Blaq, MC Forever, also added flavour to the event.
Among prominent clerics that attended the event were: Pastor Sam Adeyemi and his brother, Victor Adeyemi; Pastor Wale Adefarasin; Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, Bishop Feb Idahosa; Pastor Paul Amen; Apostle Victor James; Archbishop John Praise among other Pastor Bolaji Idowu.
The concert also had in attendance top government functionaries, captain of industries and politicians, including wife of the Senate President, Toyin Saraki; wife of the Edo State governor, Mrs Betsy Obaseki; Oba Otudeko, Chief (Mrs) Abba Folawiyo; wife of the former Lagos State governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola and Chief (Mrs) Funso Alakija.
There was no dull moment at the event as the audience in unism worshiped Jesus Our Peace, based on the theme of the event.
When all stood for a greater Nigeria
It was an emotional moment when the convener, Pastor Adefarasin expressed his deep concern over the present state of the nation, while he auctioned popular artiste, Timi Dakolo in company of the Society for the Performing Arts of Nigeria (SPAN) to ignite the spirit of Nigerians and visitors with an exceptional presentation of Dakolo’s popular song, Great Nation; they all echoed ‘God bless Nigeria’ The arena where Nigeria had its first day of Independence, came alive when Onos and Chee led people on the country’s national anthem.
Artistes’ performance
A seven-year-old drummer, opened the event with a thrilling performance. In his usual way, gospel Tim Godfrey and his Extreme crew dazzled everyone with acrobatic displays. Thereafter, the House on the Rock choir lifted souls with praise and worship rendition. The Lagos Metropolitan Gospel Choir (LMGC) and the Lagos City Chorale led by the maestro, Dr Nwokedi wowed the crowd with their special numbers.
With his wind instrument, popular saxophonist, Mike Aremu, ignited the souls of worshippers with inspirational and praise songs. Also, first timer gospel ministers at the concert, such as Glowreeyah, Vicki Yohe, J. J. Hairston, Ada, Planetshakers all proved influential to the success of the event.
The experience came alive when indigenous artistes such as Tope Alabi, Chioma Jesus and Nathaniel Bassey stormed the stage respectively. Tope Alabi, lifted souls with praise and worship; while Chioma Jesus mesmerised leaving hundreds of people go ‘wild’ in a ‘radical praise’ as they lifted their chairs while dancing. The trumpeter and singer, Nathaniel Bassey,upped the ante with his popular hit Olowogbogoro, among others. Don Meon and Donnie Mcclukin lifted the worshippers with their evergreen songs, while Kirk Franklin closed the concert with an astonishing performance.
Jimi Agbaje steals the show
Though it was not a political gathering, politicians came to exalt their creator. However, the governorship candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Jimi Agbaje, who is a regular attendee at the musical concert, stole the show at the event. A rousing cheer and acknowledgement accompanied his recognition.
…and Akpororo slams Daddy Freeze
It was not a total funny presentation for Akpororo as he did not only crack jokes, but also cautioned the controversial presenter, Daddy Freeze on his rampant attacks on notable clerics. Akpororo spontaneously pounced on Daddy Freeze, saying if he had spiritual powers, he would turn him into a wall gecko over his castigation on tithes. “Why should he condemn payment of tithes? What I have been paying for years and it is working for me, he is trying to discourage people from paying. He is even quoting the Bible. Are you the one that wrote the Bible? In fact, I don’t what to see your Bible, because it is working for me. Leave my tithe alone,” he said.
The concert, which is still the talk of the town as the prime event of 2018 in Lagos and the country at large, has become a rallying point for people of all class, race, nationality and faith.
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