Praise the Almighty Concert Storm! - 16th Nov 2012 By TOPE ALABI

The Ipaja Ayobo axis of Lagos state, Nigeria, witnessed the awesome presence of God in an all-night event that left all the congregation standing and praising God all night to the wakes of the next morning. The community was indeed trilled by the power-packed event. Tope Alabi played host to Rev’d Ebenezer Obey and host of other gospel artists from various States of the nation. The awesome experience was not one the participants would easily recover from. The intensity of the praise of God all through the night inspired lots of prophetic pronouncements by Prophet Elijah Ajanaku, who attested to the fact that it has been awhile he operated in the prophetic manner of such night. It was such a glorious night. Community Worshippers (CW) crew were on ground that night and chatted with Tope Alabi, Rev’d Ebenezer Obey and other artists who inspired the audience throughout the night with undiluted songs of praises!
Obey

The blissful event witness the arrival of the Rev’d Ebenezer Obey at about midnight, CW enquired from the clergy, what the community of his fans should be soon? ‘First am grateful to God who has kept us all till now, I am here to praise the almighty God and as the Lord would give us grace expect something new soon, he said. Rev’d before doing what is known best for i.e Singing built a foundational message for his ministration from the book of Jeremiah 31:12-19 Therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the LORD, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and their soul shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more at all. Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their sorrow. And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and my people shall be satisfied with my goodness, saith the LORD. Thus saith the LORD; A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and bitter weeping; Rahel weeping for her children refused to be comforted for her children, because they were not. Thus saith the LORD; Refrain thy voice from weeping, and thine eyes from tears: for thy work shall be rewarded, saith the LORD; and they shall come again from the land of the enemy. And there is hope in thine end, saith the LORD, that thy children shall come again to their own border. I have surely heard Ephraim bemoaning himself thus; Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned; for thou art the LORD my God. Surely after that I was turned, I repented; and after that I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh: I was ashamed, yea, even confounded, because I did bear the reproach of my youth. Emphasizing who is qualify to praise God, every virgin, man, woman. Old and young, CW enquired about how well does he knows Tope Alabi, his response were total, ‘Tope Alabi is my daughter in the Lord and that is why I am here to praise the Lord to night along with her, I have not come to participate in a concert but to PRAISE THE LORD. Goke Bajowa

All the way from Ibadan, Goke Bajowa, a professional trumpeter with flair for Jazz and highlife fused into Gospel Contemplurary, trilled the enthusiastic audience with his performance. CW inquired how th worship of God could be a closer experience than a once-in-a-while concert show like this. Goke said: ‘… I am personally praying that God should revive His Church, and music in the church should be performed with every sense of professionalism. We can go commercial and still not lose out on our message – the power of the gospel – that is, salvation.’ His Band name: Concept Evergreen Band Albums: Ojumo Ire, Maa se lo and Exodus Relationship with Tope Alabi: Tope Alabi is my Mentor. She is always willing to relate with everyone. Sister Tope is my senior in the music ministry. If she calls me once, I will answer twice. Mama

Her vocal registration during the event of “Praise the Almighty” concert as organized by Tope Alabi cannot be ignored. Mama Africa as she is fondly called, praised the almighty God with every grace and sense of purpose that brought the entire participants alive! When asked about her secret, she simply said “… It is God”. She has since 2003 gone professional in her performances. Stage name: Mama Africa Albums: Side talks – 2005, Everlasting 2011. Relationship with Tope Alabi: She is my big sister. We call her ‘The 1st.’ She is my music mummy, worthy to looked up to. I cannot forget in a hurry, when she had to cancel a N2million show to attend my concert. I am humbled to share stage with her and with Rev’d Obey. Adekunle Adeleke He said that he is from Islamic background, but came in contact with the God of Prophet Ajanakun who delivered him from a terrible past. He was healed of a spinal cord injury and HIV/Aids. He was a formal cultist. Today he is known as Glorious Paul (his stage name) as it is his covenant to continually praise God till death. Stage name: Glorious Paul Album: Eniifemi Aduke Gold

Before now I was usually been addressed as Aduke Penkele, but to the glory of God I have re branded to what I am now called – Champion Star.’ For Aduke Gold, God is too much far bigger than the praise we offer. God has done so much for us all. It is just an opportunity to offer very little to him tonight.’ Her session during the event show-cased a blend of high praise with prophetic lyrics. She is into praising God full time! Band name: Champion Stars Album: Temidayo Relationship with Tope Alabi: CW tried inquired who Tope Alabi is to her. Her response was apt. ‘I can’t call her sister Tope like everybody is calling her. She is my mother. She is my role model to the core in the music ministry. I simply adore her in what God has called her into. Having been so close to her, I can see she is true to her words and ministrations both in secret and otherwise. George Audu Eniafe

A prolific saxophonist, who threw the entire arena into standing to the praise of God! CW inquires where the inspiration was from. From God Almighty he said, and his mentors include: Phrill Driscoll, Kirk Wahlum and others. Eniafe who has been playing saxophone for over 12 years said: ‘this is what I do and l have higher hope on more big things to come’. Chief Olaniyi Ajetomobi

During the event, things took a new turn completely as Aladamo Ijesha took to the stage with his typical Ijesha dialet to praise God. The entire atmosphere went agog with his voice in trill and praise of God. He is an Accounting Education graduate now turned singer since 1987. He has travelled wide, an artist who has made his contribution on the international scene too. CW asked the ever cheerful artist the intrigues of his performance. His words were “I do not have any coach on this, what I do know is that Adamo style of Ijesha music is totally indigenous rhythm with a wide range of usage and completely suitable and trilling when using it to praise God.” Stage name: Aladamo Ijesha Album: Olorun Abo 1998, Orelope 2001, Ona Opemipo 2003 Relationship with Tope Alabi: I have known her since 1999 and have never regretted ever meeting her. She is a blessing to us all.