Ibironke Akintade is a gospel singer, minister and business women. Her debut ablum will be officially launched in November. In this interview by SEGUN ADEEKO, she speaks on her music career and ministry.
How has the journey been so far with your music ministry?
I have been into the music ministry for more than 20 years. I thank God because my has dream has finally come to reality. I started as a choir director at Christ Treasure Bible Church 20 years ago.
Tell us about your new album, ‘The Mighty Hand of God’.
“The Mighty Hand God” is out, but the official launching of the album, which happens to be my maiden album, comes up on Saturday, 27 November, 2021, at the Versace Hall, Genesis Hotel and Suites, Ibadan, Oyo State.
Who are your role models in music?
My first role model is Don Moen; then, Mama Bola Are and Mummy Ijaopo.
How are you combining your roles as a mother, wife and music minister?
I’m also a business woman. I sell clothes, bags, shoes. Actually, it takes the grace of God to combine all these with the music ministry. Indeed, God has been helping me, and by His grace, I have a husband who supports me in all ways. As a matter of fact, he is my manager.
What is your assessment of the gospel music?
Gospel music should be a thing that appeals to you whenever you are down. It shouldn’t be for entertainment or money, unlike what we have everywhere today. We can equally say these things started from the church. Rich people hijacked music talents from the church, enticing them with money. If you must go into the music ministry, you must realise you are doing it for God and not for ‘money’. Often times, when I’m invite to minister, I tell those who invited me that if you invite me just to entertain your people, you will surely be disappointed. But, if you want to feel the power and presence of God, then your people will not be disappointed.
What would you describe as your most memorable day in your music ministry?
It was the day I went for a ministration at Apostle Sunday Alebiosu’s church, Wonderland Cathedral, Felele, Ibadan. The way God moved during the ministration marvelled me. That proved to me that God really called me into this ministry.
What would you say are the challenges associated with gospel music and how have you been braving the odds?
As I named my ministry, Ancient Retrace Ministry, so what I see in music ministry nowadays is that Christian singers want to be like the world. We don’t want to do as God directs us. The way God wants us to be praising Him is far different from what we do today. What I am trying to input in the music ministry is to enlighten music ministers on their primary purpose. They must always follow the ancient paths. That is when the hand of God will descend on us and our ministries.
Were there occasions that you felt like quitting?
It could be very painful when people where you think you belong don’t seem to see, talkless of appreciating the talent in you, but people outside do. This discouraged me. I felt like quitting. Remember I said my music ministry started 20 years ago, but my first album after two decades is just coming out. If I have had the kind of encouragement I’m getting now back then, it wouldn’t have been so. But, I thank God for His grace today.
Tell us about yourself and your music ministry
I am Mrs Akintade Ibironke Elizabeth. I was born into the family of Balogun in Ikare-Akoko, Ondo State. I had my primary education at Adeolu Nursery and Primary School and secondary education at St. Louis High School, both in Owo, Ondo State. I’m a trained nurse. I’m married to Pastor Akintade Olaleye Johnson and together, we are blessed with four wonderful children.
On the music ministry, it’s a family thing. Music runs in my veins. My grandfather, the late Apostle J.T. Durojaiye of the Blood of Jesus Christ Ministry, was a music minister and composer. My mummy too is an evangelist and music composer and my seven brothers, Apostle Wale Balogun, are in the music ministry too. They all have the music talent. So, music flows in our veins.
and then