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| Evangelist Funmi Aragbaye |
The leadership of the Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN), led by veteran gospel musician, Evangelist Funmi Aragbaye, has restated that the association is not resting on its oars in fortifying and fostering unity among gospel music ministers in Nigeria.
GOMAN made this known at its National Executive Council (NEC) meeting, held at the Osun Government House Chapel, Osun State, last Thursday, where delegates from state chapters converged to deliberate on how to move the association forward. A bye election to fill vacant positions was also held.
The association, however, lamented the effect of the pandemic on the planned activities of the association, just as it was also optimistic that unfolding events will positively impact the association and the society at large.
According to Aragbaye, “As an association, we will continue to make concerted effort to contribute our own quota to move Nigeria forward, because this is our Jerusalem and we will give our best to move it forward with our talent and prayers and to also move gospel music forward in this country.”
Speaking on the professional aspect of gospel musicians and their works, Aragbaye noted that it has been difficult for the association to enforce professionalism in the works of gospel musicians, since the constitution of the country does not force any artiste to belong to a specific association or that a body must vet an artiste’s works before its release.
“So, it is like a free world; but we have been trying to bring everyone together and establish a more professional association since we came in. A lot of veteran gospel musicians, including, Pastor Ayewa is with us, Evangelist Bola Are and Telemi are former presidents, and a lot of us are here. So, those that are still operating individually are just few in number.
“The association is building a structure that will encourage more to see the need to join the fold that will move the association forward. It is a gradual process and the present association is doing its best to take the association to a greater heights,” she added.
The vice president of the association, Reverend Ekpeyong Bassey Okon, popularly known as Karis, also said, “Every music artiste is a king/queen by themselves and everybody wears a cap and the Bible says that until we lay down our crowns, we cannot worship. We cannot force anybody to join us, but this association is trying to rebrand GOMAN to a standard that to belong to the association would be compulsory for them within and outside the country in the nearest future.”
Aragbaye also charged gospel musicians in the country to always comport themselves and be mindful of their calling as true gospel ministers.
“Their music content should always be spirit-filled and soul-wining. I also advised them to shun ego and unnecessary discord among fellow gospel musicians,” she added.
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