Canvassing better gospel music performance, education at MFM Mega Concert

Religious bodies and other stakeholders in gospel music and education have been charged to invest on gospel music in order to revive, rebrand and preserve the genre in Nigeria. General Overseer of Mountain of Fire & Miracles Ministries, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, made the call while addressing journalists at the opening of Mountain Top Mega and Mini concert held at Eko Hotel, Lagos. He pointed out that it would take five decades for other religious sects to match up musically with what the ministry has done because of the intense investment and facilities it has on ground to promote gospel music.

He maintained that doing gospel music is not about singing vulgar songs or dressing or looking weird, but singing wholesome songs for God, a lover good music, who originated it. He urged other religious organisations to invest in gospel music education so it could boost the economy and surpass secular music genre.

Olukoya said, “MFM believes in empowering youth by taking them out of the streets and assisting them to utilize their energies efficiently without embracing crime or violence. Music and sports are veritable tools for youths to channel their energies in order to contribute their quota to nation–building all over the world.”

He stated that a lot of young people who are music–inclined from different backgrounds and ages had been empowered by the church’s musical programmes. He noted many youths had been groomed to exhibit their talents and skills over the years by the church.

The event featured the likes of Paul Winners, Daniel Dominic, Emeka Okolie, Bunmi Adeyeye, Tinuola Naomi Paul, Richard Ayotunde, Uche Okereke, Osaze Adekola, Vera Ohonbamu, Somtochukwu, Aderayo Oyegbade, Tope Adepoju, and Victor Praise among others.

Chairperson of Mega Concert and Director, Conservatory of Music, Pastor Mrs. Oyinkansola Akinselure, told The Guardian that the mega music event, organised by Mountain Top Mega, was the first in West Africa. She said it would soon be replicated in Port Harcourt, Abuja and other cities. She noted that the event was an avenue to launch youth talents in music in order to get scholarships, sponsorship or record label for them.

Akinselure added that the church had trained music acts and performers over the years, as avenue to give youths quality music education and excellent skills on various musical instruments and idioms. The music director added that Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries was doing its best to encourage young ones in the church and in the environment, adding,