Entertainment
I’m into Gospel Music to Impact Lives, Win Souls – Mo’lola
By Eric Elezuo
Mo’Lola, whose real names are Omolola Ajegbomogun) is a prolific Nigerian gospel artist, based in Calgary, Canada. Experience and grounded, Mo’lola has been in the service of the Lord through the music ministry for over two decades. In this short interview, she revealed her journey into the gospel world and the reasons she is sold to Jesus. Excerpts:
Tell us about yourself
I am an ardent lover of Jesus, a wife, mother, artist, educator, financial advisor and fashion enthusiast.
I grew up in a Christian home where songs of praise and worship were a daily occurrence.
Venturing into gospel music was inspired by my mother of blessed memory (Mrs. F. A. Odetola, a retired Deputy Registrar of the Obafemi Awolowo University).
She was a devoted Christian, who loved to worship and pray. During the course of her prayer and worship, she would compose songs spontaneously as she is praying, She had a song for every line of prayer she said. This legacy inspired me into composing songs by the help of the Holy Spirit.
I was a member of the Healing Streams Choir, Daystar Christian Center, Nigeria, under the tutelage of K Sticks, a renowned Maestro, before I left Nigeria for Canada. In Canada, I became an active choir member of The Grace Levites of RCCG House of David, Calgary, since I moved to Canada in 2013.
I am also a founding member of Goldmark Chorale Group in Calgary Alberta, under the leadership of Gospel Minister Deedee Berepiki.
Goldmark holds annual concerts tagged Praise Blast every summer in Calgary since its birth in 2015. Pastor Kingsley Ike, Mama Tope Alabi, Ada Jesus, Eben, Lara George, Samsong to mention a few have graced the stage at the concerts. I have been privileged to share the stage with this award winning gospel artists.
Why did you choose to be a Gospel Artiste, and what do you hope to achieve with it?
I believe the whole essence of my calling to gospel music is to impact lives while bringing more souls to the knowledge of Christ. I believe the role of gospel music in today’s society is to bring people to a place of divine encounter with God, changing souls for Christ, bringing the peace, joy and hope of Christ to all souls while also unifying all souls.
Speaking about Unity, The Christian Community is relatively divided along the lines of denominations, doctrines, administration and many more. What is your take on this?
The Christian Community is an institution on its own. Yes, there are different denominations, styles of worship, doctrine and so on… these have caused so much division and disunity amongst believers. This has also found expression through the various genres of gospel music over time which are all beautifully serving different kingdom purposes. However, some denominations would prefer not to mingle with other denominations due to doctrines among others. Some people are of the opinion that other genres that aren’t calm, soulful and reflective or as some will call it “worship” has an element of worldliness in it. Personally however, I strongly believe that every genre of music has its place and purpose . The overall goal is to:
1. Win souls to Christ
2. Bring people to a place where they adore God for who He is and just bask in the beauty of His holiness.
3. Rejoice in him and praise Him for all He is, what He has done, what He is doing and that Which by faith we know He will do, with our song and our dance, just like David did in the Bible with joy and thanksgiving.
Christianity is all about Gods love for humanity, Christ paid the ultimate price, He became the ultimate sacrifice . Why? to ensure no soul is lost to hell. He is the one who will leave the ninety nine to seek the one that got lost. God is Love, He loves us irrespective of our denomination or creed,He created us in his image and likeness and so when we express the various gifts he gives us, we exhibit different expressions of him .
If we profess to be children of God, we should exhibit his love for one another especially if we claim to serve God. We just must love like Jesus did. We must leave our ninety nine to seek that lost one? not by judging them or excommunicating and all those “holy capital punishments” we see this days.
Our lifestyle is the Bible the world is seeing, does your life draw people to Christ or does it repel them? In heaven, there wouldn’t be any denominations, it will just be holy saints paying adoration to the God, who sits upon the throne forever.
Satan plants all this seeds of division just to distract us. To take our focus away from the Holy commission.
How many songs have you released so far?
Kabiyesi was my debut single. So far, I have 6 singles – “Healing” being my latest. Everyone needs a form of healing in different areas of life. It’s a call to drink from the never ending fountain of life – JESUS. I had the privilege of featuring the amazing vocalist, Naomi Classik in it. By the grace of God, I’m also working on more collaborations due to come out this summer.
All my songs are all on YouTube (YouTube.com/@itsmolola) and all digital stores.
My social media handles are: IG @itsmolola, Twitter @itsmolola, Tiktok @itsmolola
Entertainment
Glo-Sponsored African Voices Changemakers Hosts Hollywood Star, Djimon Hounsou
African Voices Changemakers, the popular CNN International magazine programme will this weekend host one of Hollywood’s most celebrated African actors, Djimon Gaston Hounsou. The programme is sponsored by digital solutions provider, Globacom.
The star actor who was born in Benin Republic in April 1960, will be chatting with programme anchor, Larry Madowo on his inspiring journey and how he links the Black diaspora with its roots through the Djimon Hounsou Foundation which he launched in New York in 2019.
Hounsou became a thespian when he acted in the 1990 film titled Without You, I’m Nothing from which he has gained recognition for his outstanding roles in several other films including Amistad (1997); Gladiator (2000) and a French film titled Forces speciales (2011) among other great works. His talents have earned him the Golden Globe Award as Best Actor in Drama and the NAACP Image Award both in 1998 and for his role in Amistad. He also got the Academy Awards as Best Supporting Actor in 2004 as well as an Outstanding Performance Award for Blood Diamond in 2007.
His foundation has been at the forefront of empowering Africans through his philanthropic initiatives like Run Richmond 16.19. He has successfully bridged history, culture, and community in a mission to unite the African diaspora and honour African heritage.
African Voices Changemakers will be broadcast on Saturday at 8.30a.m. and will be repeated same day at noon. Further repeats will be broadcast on Sunday at 4.30a.m. and 7p.m.; Monday 4a.m. Repeat editions will come up in the same broadcast schedule next week from Saturday
Entertainment
Los Angeles Wild Fire: Academy Postpones Oscars Nominations
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has postponed the announcement of this year’s Oscar nominations due to the wildfires ravaging the Los Angeles area.
Originally scheduled for Friday, January 17, the nominations will now be revealed on January 19.
Voting for the nearly 10,000 Academy members, which began on January 8, has also been extended by two days, now closing on Tuesday, January 14.
Among the celebrities affected by the fires are former Oscars host Billy Crystal, Paris Hilton, James Woods, and Miles Teller, all of whom have lost their homes.
In a letter sent to members on Wednesday, Academy CEO Bill Kramer offered his condolences, saying, “We want to offer our deepest condolences to those who have been impacted by the devastating fires across Southern California.
“So many of our members and industry colleagues live and work in the Los Angeles area, and we are thinking of you.”
Wildfires sweeping through communities across Los Angeles County, which began around 5:45 pm on Wednesday, have damaged or destroyed over 2,000 homes, businesses, and other buildings, with at least five confirmed dead.
Entertainment
I’m a Five-Time Rape Victim, Actress Iyabo Ojo Reveals
Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, has revealed in a recent interview that she is been a victim of rape five times in the past.
Speaking with Biola Bayo, on her talk show, Talk to B, she expressed her frustration with rape apologists.
Iyabo Ojo shared her traumatic experiences, emphasising her zero-tolerance stance on rape.
Iyabo Ojo also discussed her complicated family history, including her father’s struggles with addiction, which led to his death at 40.
She revealed that she grew up with her grandmother and didn’t meet her mother until she was seven years old.
“I was raped five times in my life. I discovered we have a lot of rape apologists. I don’t care who the person is; if that person is my son, I am going to come for him unapologetically.
“I have never met Naira Marley before my entire life. The only time I lacked was when I insisted this was the man I was going to get married to because, at that time, my dad and I disowned each other.
“My dad did everything, alcohol and drugs, so it messed him up at a young age. He died at 40.
“I grew up with my grandmother, who is half Delta and half Igbo. I think I was seven before I knew my mother.”
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