How gospel artistes can use their talents to boost their fortunes —Ighodalo

Evans Ighodalo is a man of many parts. Born in Obudu, Cross River State, though a native of Edo State, and has a Cameroonian mother, he discovered music at a young age. He speakes with Rita Okonoboh, on his experience as a gospel artiste. Excerpts:

Background

I was born in Obudu in Cross River State. I am from Edo State, although my Mum is Cameroonian. I am the second son. I started my secondary school in Lutheran High School, Uyo, and finished at Ibadan Municipal Grammar School. I am a graduate of Computer Science from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta. I speak Ibibio, Efik and Yoruba languages. After my NYSC in Abuja, I started work immediately at Abuja. In 2013, I voluntarily resigned and started my company Megatrips.com Ltd – a travel company – and continued with music also.

How did you discover your talent for music?

I discovered it at a young age. My Dad loved music and bought all the reigning records in the 80’s, both gospel and secular, and that helped to build my passion for music and rhyme.

Why did you choose gospel?

Gospel means good news; it is life, it can never fade. I chose to give life through music and only gospel music can do that. I chose gospel because of the message it carries. The words that I sing are spirit and have life.

How many years have you been that you have been singing professionally?

When you say professionally, I will say ever since I received Jesus in my life in 1999, I have been a member of different choirs. I started one at a point, and also been involved in some musical groups, But my first single came out in 2015, with a song entitled Drink from the River. I have one album, Born of God, to my credit.

Which is your favourite song?

I have more than one, because as a messenger, God gives me songs and my job is to download and release. Any song that glorifies Jesus is my favourite song.

How do you handle attention from female fans?

My female fans have been very encouraging. They always express how they feel about my music genuinely and I appreciate that. For everyone that has contacted me, I make sure I value and respect them by constantly keeping them informed about our new songs.

What is the greatest testimony you have heard as a result of your music?

The greatest testimony I have heard was from a female fan, who recently sent me a message that for a year, she had one of my songs on her alarm and when it played, at that time, her prayer mood is activated. I know it is not about me, it is about the message in the song, Jesus.

Do you think gospel artistes should be paid for their efforts?

As a journalist, do you think you should be paid for your efforts?  Or because you added gospel to the title of the profession? We have doctors, lawyers and bankers, who are believers and are paid for their services. If someone sings professionally, and you engage his or her service, you pay for his service. However, if it is in his local church setting, where they are volunteers, it is service to God and He pays them. But if that artiste is doing it for a living (professionally) and a church needs his service, where he has to come with his crew or alone, and, at times, has to travel to be a blessing, he/she should be appreciated financially, so that he can have resources to record more songs, take care of his bills, and pay the music team.

When you consider Nigeria’s stand in gospel music, compared to her counterparts globally, would you say the country has done well in terms of the potential available, especially when compared to secular music?

Nigeria has potentials and yes, globally, we stand tall when it comes to our style of music. The world’s largest music concert is The Experience and it is gospel. We have both Nigerian and international artistes on same platform. Gospel music in Nigeria, when compared to the secular, stands out, because what we do is eternal, and so it has more value.

Do you subscribe to the notion that gospel music is not well appreciated in Nigeria?

I do not. Gospel music is well appreciated in Nigeria. There are more churches in the country than most nations in the world and in these churches, gospel music is sung, that means it is appreciated. If you are saying appreciated financially, in terms of buying your music, or endorsements, only God can do that for you by touching the hearts of men to help you.

What is your message for the church especially on how to on encourage gospel artistes?

My message for the church is to, first of all, discover, groom, promote and acknowledge gospel artistes in their local assemblies. Make them attractive to the world, and in the long run, they will eventually become the stars everyone wants to invite. It’s worth more than giving them money. For other artistes not in your local assembly, also invite and encourage them as the Spirit leads. Your homegrown artiste will have the opportunity to see how others are doing it, interact with them. Besides, learn to sing their songs; deliberately use them during worship services. This also helps to promote the songs. Also, gospel artistes should also learn to use their gifts commercially, by performing for radio jingles, writing songs for movies (good movies) and corporate organisations, and for those gifted with playing instruments, they can teach people how to play music.