Femi Ajewole, widely known as Afla Sule or Otiganpa, is the leader of the Christ Chosen Vessel Dance Drama Group and a prominent figure in the gospel ministry. Despite facing various challenges, he remains steadfast and committed to his calling. In an interview with SEYI SOKOYA, the pioneer of the dance drama ministry, speaks on why he maintained a low profile, his relationship with his brother, Woli Agba, and his new project.
YOU are a well-known figure in the gospel community, particularly with your unique dance drama ministry, but you have kept a low profile lately. What has contributed to this?
Indeed, we are operating a ministry, and in any ministry, there comes a time when God allows for growth. During this period, it is essential to be in God’s presence and gain a deeper understanding of the assignment He has given you. This is why it may seem that Afla Sule has kept a low profile.
However, we have not abandoned the other aspect of our calling, which involves spreading the gospel through ministrations at various churches. We are focused on these exclusive ministrations. While we may have been quiet on social media and do not often share our work online, we are growing, and we thank God for where He is taking the ministry.
Reflecting on the past, your ministry was a household name. What has that experience been like lately?
I believe that God is the ultimate force—mysterious and unpredictable. The experiences we had were memorable back then; it was an unexpected turnaround for us. We followed the guidance that God placed on our hearts, and He took it from there, transforming it into a global movement. What’s remarkable is that even amidst criticism, God stood by us and announced the ministry to the world. We truly enjoyed our time with God during that period, and we continue to enjoy our relationship with Him today. All those experiences deepened my fear of God. This is one of the main reasons I desire to draw closer to Him. Otiganpa is God’s project, and I am grateful for its success and the testimonies we’ve received from our team and fans worldwide. I still believe that God can achieve even more through Otiganpa than He has, so far. My faith in God remains unwavering.
How do you feel to be the pioneer of the concept?
As the pioneer of the Dance and Drama ministry, I am thankful for the creativity that God has given us. By His grace, I was able to transform that initiative into something that adds value and promotes the Gospel of Christ. We also had the opportunity to use our creativity to instill morals and improve society, often through laughter. I don’t take credit as the pioneer of this initiative; instead, I thank God for giving me the grace to be available for such a significant assignment. This spirit of creativity was passed on to the entire team, allowing us to achieve great results.
When we launched, the acceptance we received was beyond our imagination. Our unique approach inspired many people with our creativity. It took about five years for others to follow in our footsteps. To God’s glory, our platform has nurtured numerous talents within our group and beyond. We are grateful to have celebrated 23 years as a ministry.
This year, the ministry celebrated its 23rd anniversary, having started in 2002. Initially, many people were attracted to our idea when it gained recognition, but over time, the initiative became oversaturated. Unfortunately, some individuals distorted the original concept for their gain. It is discouraging to witness the dilution of dance drama in the chase for fame and wealth. As the originators of this concept, we are committed to safeguarding it and ensuring that negative influences do not impact our work.
God recognised our good intentions for this initiative and elevated us to prominence, even giving us the name ‘Alfa Sule.’ This was unexpected, as I prefer the name ‘Christ Chosen Vessel Dance Drama Group.’ Despite our efforts to move away from ‘Alfa Sule,’ God continues to promote us globally under this name. Perhaps He knows that our mission is not solely for Christians but for the world. The name resonates with many, and it does not change my relationship with God. This entire experience has deepened my connection with Him.
What is your take on those diluting the concept?
I find joy in seeing others follow this path. It indicates we are impacting the ministry and influencing our generation. The work of the kingdom cannot be accomplished by a single individual, which is why churches exist worldwide. However, a significant challenge arises when we encounter individuals who do not fulfill the purpose of their tasks. I can confidently say that out of 100 per cent of those in the dance drama ministry, only about 10 per cent truly adhere to its core purpose.
Would you say you still possess the same energy now as you did back then?
In the past, my primary role was as a voice-over artist; I often worked in the background or backstage. I consider this a wonderful gift from God. I have received many commendations and words of encouragement from fans, and I sincerely appreciate each one of them, giving all the glory back to God.
I am thrilled that God is bringing new talent into the ministry. We now have a fresh group of young individuals eager to carry on with the same energy as we remain active. God knows how He is raising new talents within the ministry, and He continues to help it grow. I can confidently say that wherever Alfa Sule is invited, you will feel God’s presence and experience that vibrant energy.
You have produced many great films, which one would you say is your favorite?
I give God all the glory for the great success we have achieved through our works, such as “Take Here,” “Otiganpa,” “Oruko Nla,” “Little Jimmy,” “Oro Odi,” “Ijinle,” “Ikoko,” “Pride”, and “Amos 33,” among others. We also continue to stage performances of some of these films, especially “Oruko Nla.” The actor who played Bayo back then is now in the United States, and we have another actor in that role who is also doing well. We have introduced new characters for all the roles, including a new Woli Agba. This is all part of our effort to keep the vision alive, as these films are evergreen. They remain fresh whenever we present them to audiences. It’s not just about the people behind the films; it’s about God manifesting Himself through our work.
What is the ministry currently working on?
By God’s grace, we are doing well. We have just completed another project—a movie that promises to be thrilling and engaging. It will be formally launched Sunday, 9 March. This movie entitled “Backup” is especially remarkable because it is the first time I will be featured in our works. Alfa Sule himself plays a major role in the film. I want people to be expecting a great message and lesson. I am sure that people will encounter Christ through the film. It will be available on social media platforms.
What is your relationship with some members who are no longer in the group?
By God’s grace, I maintain a good relationship with them. I relate well with everyone.
Recently, a comment from your brother, Woli Agba, about you on social media sparked many reactions. What is your take on this?
As for our relationship, I want to clarify that we are both doing well. We met at a programme where I was ministering in Lagos, and he came to visit me in my hotel room. I believe he wanted to address some of the misunderstandings about our relationship.
There have been various insinuations since it became clear that we are no longer working together on movies, and some individuals have expressed concerns about our family relationship. I think he used his social media post to set the record straight.
I want to emphasise that we are fine as brothers. To the glory of God, he recently welcomed a child, and I attended the child’s christening. Just a few days ago, we both visited the family of our father’s friend who passed away to offer condolences. While we may not work as much as before, our relationship remains strong.
For the sake of your esteemed fans, is it true that you are both on good terms?
Yes, we are both fine and have a good relationship.
Is it possible for Alfa Sule and Woli Agba to collaborate again?
As I always say, everything depends on God. Just because I have always been in the background of our films does not mean that I cannot act. Aside from my voice-over responsibilities, I direct virtually all the films. Some of the team members have even suggested that I should take on some acting roles, but I’ve felt that the time hasn’t come yet. I believe there is a time for everything. Most group members weren’t fully aware of the characters they played back then; they were young and portrayed couples so convincingly with God’s help. Now, they are all mature and even married.
We still receive many testimonies from “Amos 33.” Recently, a governor’s daughter contacted me, saying that the film restored peace to her home. This film has become a sought-after title at every ministry we attend. Our driver even mentioned that his household experienced peace after watching “Amos 33.” He has become a strong advocate of the film.
In summary, while I would love to collaborate with Woli Agba and the old crew, I feel I need God’s guidance, particularly when it comes to new concepts to showcase. I’m not saying that collaboration is impossible; after all, we are all human. However, I trust in God’s timing.
Did he have your blessing before leaving your ministry, and do you support his platform?
Yes, he had my prayers, and I wished him well. I cannot oppose his platform, as everyone has a unique purpose in life, and it is important to support one another in fulfilling those purposes. I can’t say that what he is doing is wrong, as my ministry differs from his. I feel fulfilled in my pursuits, which is why material things do not sway me. I have reached a point in my life where I aim to please God. When I focus on pleasing Him, He takes care of what is best for me. I am not distracted by external noise; instead, I concentrate on the positive impact that work through me has on others. Life unfolds in phases, and I find true fulfillment in my ministry. Those with a vision will remain focused and committed to it until the end.
Aside from the comedic aspect, you preach the gospel, teach morals, and offer solutions to societal problems. How do you accomplish this?
This is why we say it is a gift from God, and our gifts are perfect. Our ministry is not just for Christians; it’s not about religion; rather, it serves as lessons and messages for everyone. That is why everyone is free to watch our movies. We have messages for different people—we offer lessons tailored to various audiences. When you watch our films, you can see these lessons and messages. Ultimately, it’s a way for God to communicate with us, making us reflect and understand more deeply.
Despite the wide acceptance, you still face criticism and challenges. How were we able to overcome them?
I believe this is a normal occurrence, but God has given us the wisdom to handle any challenges or criticisms that come our way. People see things from different perspectives and are entitled to their own opinions. However, we have remained focused on the core mission that God has assigned to us.
One of the challenges we faced was our inability to reach all denominations. However, we have made it clear that our films are not limited to any specific church or group of people; they have a universal appeal. For example, if you watch “Pride,” you will see that it is not focused on a pastor or a particular denomination; it embodies pure gospel. Although we are not perfect, we are all on a journey to grow closer to God each day, and we trust that He will guide us along this narrow path. We do not aim to condemn any religion; rather, we encourage everyone, regardless of their beliefs, to deepen their relationship with God.
Given your concerns about these challenges, what do you envision for the future of the dance drama ministry?
I truly believe that God supports this concept, as I have witnessed many remarkable testimonies. I connect deeply with the song that says, “Kole baje ooo, kole baje ooo, ise Oluwa, kole baje oo.” God’s works are indestructible.
What brings me the most joy is God’s work. I have great faith in His limitless and eternal purpose, which allows me to envision a bright future for this ministry. God knows how to protect and preserve His creations. As long as we are known as the Christ Chosen Vessel Dance Drama Group, and our name reflects Christ, I believe we have a promising future. Just as there are false miracles and prophets, that does not mean God will stop performing the true wonders of Christ.
READ ALSO: No conflict between me and Woli Agba —Ajewole, Oti Gan Pa
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