Why I Want To Promote Gospel Of Jesus Christ Through Ikede Gospel - Onimisi Gabriel Okehi

Onimisi Gabriel Okehi is a man of many parts. He is a financial expert; a chartered accountant, foremost philanthropist, and a gospel singer. In this interview with Isah Bala,  he discussed how he delved into Ikede gospel - being an Ebira traditional gospel music, what inspired the title of his new album (Un'oyiza) and why he wants to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ through Ebira Ikede gospel.

Excerpt:

Can you tell us about yourself?

My name is Onimisi Gabriel Okehi, born into the family of late Chief Rufus Onimisi as a grandfather and my late father, Mr. David Omuya Onimisi. I was born and brought up in Ihima, Okehi Local Government Area of Kogi State. I am happily married with kids. 

When did you conceive the idea of your album, Un'oyiza?

After my last album titled 'Irekuku David' which literarily means legacy of king David in 2006, I picked a job with a bank which took most of my time and after that I have been from one school to another  for my post graduate studies and I never had the time for another album. I have fans who listened to my last albums, they kept calling to know when I will release the next one. 

Immediately after my professional course and induction last year, I made up my mind to drop an album for my fans and for those who did not even know I have such talent. 

In the course of preparing for it, I got an inspiration to title it 'Un'oyiza' which centres around the mystery and the good work of the life of Jesus Christ. His miracles such as walking on the water, raising the dead, making the lame to walk, making the deaf to hear amongst others which always stunned his followers. It was a good work and mystery which gave birth to our title Un'oyiza. In Ebira language, the compound word for 'Unaoyiza' is 'Un'oyiza' which means good mystery or good work.

We are coming up with 26 songs and the most depicting amongst them is the one that is centered and narrated the mysteries and miracles of Jesus Christ when he was on earth.

What Inspired the title?

The mysterious works of Jesus Christ which gets people astonished.

How long have you been into the business of Ikede gospel?

Going down memory lane, I have been singing from childhood, and I  grew up to know I am singing. I have passion for singing and during my primary school days I sang for the graduating students during sent forth ceremony; a thing I also did when I joined Ihima Community Secondary School. In my younger days, I also sang for my church especially during Easter period. However, I started producing album in Ikede gospel in 2004 with my first album 'Ohomorihi Veyichivéé.

Because of your status, many people will not believe you could delve into Ebira Ikede music. Is there any difference between Ikede music and Ikede gospel? 

Before God, I have no status, there is no status I have or attained that is not from God, using such status to worship God is not out of place, that is why I delved into Ikede gospel. There is no difference between Ikede music and Ikede gospel. The only difference is the message each of them is passing. While Ikede music is all about conventional issues, Ikede gospel focuses more on the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Status wise, somebody might be thinking that having gained all the certificates, what is the essence of delving into Ikede but because it involves the worship of God, you cannot say why am I worshipping God because I have gained status. Before God, we are all mortals, we don't have status and the best you can do for God is to praise him.

I take a leaf from the lifestyle of King David who always abandoned his throne when it was time to worship God. Before God, he will remove his robe and worshipped God. The only case of barrenness in this was a woman who challenged him on the manner in which he worshipped God and queried if he has forgotten that he is a King. Before God, there is no king, He is the king of kings and whatever status anybody thinks I  have acquired, is nothing before God.

Do you plan to delve into full Ikede gospel anytime soon? 

I have come to stay in Ikede gospel, this is the third album and I have already gotten the songs for the fourth album but it may not be this year again, I am looking at next year. This shows that I am not doing this to go back to relax, I have come to stay in Ikede gospel.

What do you intend to achieve through Ikede gospel ?

My aim is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to those who have not heard it before and it will be a reminder for those that have heard it because the word of God is always new. 

I want to see it as a way of evangelism, I want to see it as a way of telling people about Christ while he was on earth, I want to use it to bring thee message in the Bible and possibly for people who has never read it may be because they are not learned or they don't have time to read the Bible. If you listen to the song, and hear the story it might even encourage you to delve further to read the portion where the story is in the Bible to know much about the song.  

My target is to bring narratives from the Bible and convert them to songs for people to hear, this is my focus. The song also contains morality, and societal ethics that guide our conduct as human beings.

The album will be launched on Saturday October 24, 2020, at Afims hotels, GRA Okene, 10:00am.