Yes, those who attended the Season 3 of the Catholic Praise Concert (CPC) hosted by St. Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja, on Friday, August 11, 2017 would attest to its success. This is considering the huge turn-out of artistes and audience, the excitement in the atmosphere and the clement weather.
But they may not know that even the stage that reportedly cost the organisers a whopping N13 million was not easily paid for, because sponsors have not fully bought into the idea.
The event was well-organised; though we gathered that the volunteer committee members worked very hard to make it happen.
One of the artistes, Rev. Fr. Lawrence Adelana (a.k.a. Fada Fuji), stressed the need to sell the project to willing sponsors who may be oblivious that something of that nature is happening.
Said Fada Fuji: “There are a lot people who have the money and who can put money into what we are doing. There are a lot of millionaires and billionaires in Lagos who don’t know what is going on.”
He also urged the Church to encourage young talents through reality shows, as a way of creating employment and keeping youths away from crime.
“Let the Church encourage the youths; there are a lot of them who have ideas but don’t have money to execute them. The Church should encourage reality shows. Look at Fuji music which used to be a street music, but it has entered into the church.”
According Hillary George who performed with SOTM Crew, the show lived beyond expectation.
“The event is coming up when compared to big shows I have attended.
However, I did not know it will be as big as this. What I see is beyond my expectation. The state is excellent. Kudos to the organisers,” he told our reporter.
Though the chief organiser of the event, Peter Egbumokei, was in high spirits due to the success, not many knew that St. Leo Catholic Church, Ikeja, is the rejected stone that eventually became the cornerstone.
During his vote of thanks, he revealed that many Catholic parishes the organisers depended on to host the event turned them down. But that when, as a last resort, he decided to approach St. Leo, he got express approval.
“We approached several parishes to host the event, but they turned us down. We decide to try St. Leo when our last hope turned us down. But surprisingly, when we approached Msgr. John Aniagwu, he gave his nod,” Egbumokei said.
Despite the resounding success, he said sponsorship is still needed to make the event bigger.
The Supervisor of CPC 3, Rev. Fr. Joseph Anyanwu, who celebrated the morning Mass that wrapped up the event, praised the organising committee for a job well done.
He said “this is the most effective committee I have ever seen. They worked round the clock, using the social media and other available channels to communicate.” He prayed for God’s blessings on them.
CPC is a one-day gospel music concert of praise offering to God for Christians. It features some of the best known music talents who lead the audience in praise, worship, dance and special highlight performances. It has become an opportunity for Christians to gather, putting aside all ungodly differences, and lift their voices in worship to God.
The first edition was at Freedom Park on April 26, 2014, the second was at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 2015. Then it was held in the evenings and outside the church environment. This third edition got the support of the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, hence it was held in the church premises and overnight, opening and also ending with the holy Mass.
Clergy
Most Rev. Msgr. John Aniagwu, Fr. Joseph Anyanwu, Fr. Wilfred Nwachukwu, Fr. Tony Onyeuwaoma, Fr. Lawrence Adelana, Fr. Anthony Adebambo, Fr. Everestus Oruche, 2 seminarians and 7 Eucharistic Heart of Jesus (EHJ) sisters
Artistes
The roll includes 13-year-old David Aduragbemi from 2013 Nigeria’s Got Talent (NGT), Fada Fuji, Rev. Fr. Tony-Maria Boluwaji, Rev. Ss Lucy, Joe Praize, Tessy Aniesi, Daniel Azuka (a.k.a. A-Strings, a Nigerian violinist based in Turkey), Kenny Kore, Psalmos, and Kellar Thrillz.
Others are Great CYON led by Grace Bernard, Victor and his group, Harmonic Syndrome, Clenz, Emmanuel and his group from St. Leo, Chikamji, Hillary George and SOTM Crew, St. Leo Charismatic Band, Nonso and Jesus Baby.
The choirs that graced the event include St. Augustine Choir and St. Charles Lwanga Choir both of St. Leo, and St. Cecilia Choir of St. Thomas More Catholic Church, UNILAG.
Comedians are judicious and MC Ukwa.
About Catholic Praise Concert
About Catholic Praise Concert (CPC) is a one-day gospel music concert of praise offering to God for Christians. It features some of the best known music talents who lead the audience in praise, worship, dance and special highlight performances. It has become an opportunity for Christians to gather, putting aside all ungodly differences, and lift their voices in worship to God.
The first edition was at Freedom Park on April 26, 2014, the second was at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) in 2015. Then it was held in the evenings and outside the church environment. This third edition got the support of the Lagos Catholic Archdiocese, hence it was held in the church premises and overnight, opening and also ending with the holy Mass.
