Multiple Grammy Awards winning gospel music minister, Cece Winans, is set to headline the inaugural edition of the Women of Praise concert in Nigeria.
Southwest Media and Encase Group, organizers of the event lamented over the fact that gospel artistes and musicians have been boxed into performing only in church, thereby restricting their talent to a small audience when the world is open to be explored.
The CEO of the Encase Group, Ikechukwu Ogbueilede decried the unavailability of suitable platforms for gospel artiste’s talents and creativity to be experienced, as the annual The Experience, Lagos” which holds at Tafawa Balewa Square was the only major platform in the county for gospel music. The Women of Praise Concert he said will serve as a veritable platform for showcasing creativity in Gospel music in the country.
He went on to add that both secular and gospel music were products of creativity and therefore there is no competition between them, he however pointed out that the only difference is the focus, and the message they pass to the listener.
“We are encouraging our artists, come out from the four walls of the church and take the center stage and minister the same music that anybody can listen and dance to while the lyrics inspire humanity and give God all the glory.
“Looking at the music of TimiDakolo, there is power in his music and it does not matter your ethnicity or background, if the music is good, it is good.’’
— Ogbueilede
Charles Ndudim, who is at the helm of things at Southwest Media, pointed out that recent trends show that Nigerian music is gaining global attention, adding that many people have found inspiration in gospel music, and Women Of Praise would serve as a platform to take this music to a larger population of Nigerians which statistics indicate are predominantly Christian.
“Even if you are not a Christian, Christian music still uplifts, it is where you find solace and where you find peace and joy. Also, Nigerian music culture is inspiring to the world at the secular field even the Christian field.
“Although the Christian field has not been given the proper channel and platform to carry it to the next level, so, we said, why not come together first of all as Christians, then as children of God, to empower our women who have been very boisterous in the gospel industry amid the challenges they have broken through. An artiste like Sinach, who is now listed in Forbs as one of the highest paid gospel artist in the world’’
— Mr Charles Ndudim
Ndudim also mentioned that the current state of the nation begs for such an event, to uplift and soothe hearts, and promote unity even across religions.
The Women of Praise concert 2018 is scheduled to hold in Abuja on the 29th of November, and in Owerri on the 2nd of December. Artistes to feature in this inaugural concert include Cece Winans, Sinach, Chinyere Udoma, Ada, Onos and many more. There will also be an empowerment program alongside the concert, to help women acquire skills and give back to society.
Tickets are already on sale here.
