LANRE ATORISE & GENESIS Pastor Reconcile

• After Their 2Yrs Rift

Popular Gospel singer, Lanre Teriba, popularly called Atorise and popular Celestial Prophet Isreal Oladele Ogundipe, who is usually called Genesis Pastor were once close friends. In fact, they grew up together. They were so close that they shared almost everything together. But the two partedways about 2 years ago as a result of Prophet Oladele’s utterances against popular C&S Church Prophetess, Rev. Esther Ajayi.

Genesis Pastor in an outburst in 2022 revealed how bad he felt over how Rev Ajayi treated him, while he was away in prison.

Genesis, who is the Shepherd-In-Charge of Celestial Church of Christ Global Genesis Parish,

slammed Ajayi for abandoning him while he was in custody.

A few days after, Atorise, in a video, on his Facebook page expressed his love for Ogundipe and disappointment at his public bashing of Reverend Ajayi. He went on to demand that Ogundipe should apologise to her within 24 hours. This became a big issue then and since then they haven’t been talking.

During Dele Gold’s wake-keep on 18th September 2024, Prophet Oladele and Lanre Teriba  reconcilled”, illustrating Christianity’s role in promoting unity.

Following Genesis Pastor’s inspiring Message, the Wake keep turned into a lively celebration, and Atorise, mounted the podium to entertain the crowd, expressing his admiration for Prophet Oladele. Lanre Teriba sent greetings to Prophet Oladele’s wife, whom he warmly addressed as ‘Shola’, indicative of their long-established close relationship.

Atorise began his musical performance with the declaration: ‘No matter how long we fight, we shall settle amicably,’ and reiterated this adage in Yoruba, ‘Ija o do la.’ He then invited Genesis son, also known as ‘Winners,’ to the stage, noting that he ‘Atorise’ was the musician who performed at his naming ceremony 25 years ago.

On stage were Genesis, his wife, Winners, Esther Igbekele, and others, witnessing the successful reconciliation of the Genesis family with Lanre Teriba, following the amicable resolution of their past differences.

A somber mood settled in, as the Genesis Pastor’s Message on Mortality was presented, commanding the rapt attention of all and eliciting tears from the assembly.

Dele Gold’s Wake keep was attended by a significant number of esteemed music stars like Yinka Ayefele, Esther Igbekele, clergy members, and other dignitaries, demonstrating his profound influence on the Gospel music industry.

A few days after this, a lot of people Online and other Celestial members condemned Lanre Teriba’s disrespect towards the Man of God for calling him Dele, his first name.

Despite the seemingly positive nature of this public reconciliation, the way it unfolded has left some fans less than impressed. The specific issue of contention revolves around how Lanre Teriba addressed Prophet Genesis as Dele on stage. Many fans have voiced their concern that Teriba did not show the proper respect to the prophet, a revered spiritual leader.

Instead of addressing him with titles or deference, Teriba referred to him in a familiar tone, using his name and discussing their personal history in what some perceived as a casual manner.

A lot of social media platforms have been abuzz with mixed reactions. Some have praised the move, celebrating the fact that 2 influential figures in the Gospel community have finally ended their disagreement. However, others have criticized Lanre Teriba’s approach, stating that his manner of addressing the prophet did not align with the spiritual respect and authority traditionally accorded to a man of Genesis Pastor’s stature.

Critics argue that while reconciliation is important, the manner in which it is done is equally significant, especially when it involves a figure like Prophet Oladele, who commands deep respect as a spiritual leader. The general consensus among these critics is that Teriba, as a public figure and believer, should have adhered to cultural and spiritual norms by addressing Genesis with more reverence—using his full title, “Prophet” or “Spiritual Father,” rather than calling him by name.

In addition, Genesis Pastor has also spoken after the whole saga, saying he has always accorded him (Atorise) the needed respect despite they are both contemporaries. According to the man of God, “maybe that is the way people of his calibre behave, but I have never disrespected him once. I always calls him Evang. Atorise. I have never called him by his first name. You can ask him. But I didn’t want anything to distract my Abeokuta program, that’s why I didn’t reply the way I should. Above all, I will always love him”.

-Isaac Abimbade

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