United Kingdom-based Nigerian pastor, Tobi Adegboyega, has described his friend and musician, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, as a gospel artist.
Adegboyega, who is facing deportation over alleged fraud in the UK, made this claim during a recent episode of the Off The Record podcast.
When asked why he invited secular musicians to perform at his recent birthday celebration instead of gospel artistes, Adegboyega explained that his choice was rooted in the content of the music.
He pointed to Davido’s hit song ‘Stand Strong’ as an example of uplifting content that fits the gospel narrative.
“Gospel means good news. Everyone there is a gospel artiste. Davido is a gospel artist. Have you heard: ‘Because I stand strong?’” Adegboyega said.
The pastor further defended his decision, stating that the performers, including Zlatan, were his close friends who had supported him through thick and thin.
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“What I had then was my friends—friends who are there through thick and thin. Davido told me: ‘I just want to be there and perform for one hour.’ They’re my friends. I didn’t pay any of them. They love me, and I will give my friends platforms.”
In the face of criticism from gospel artistes questioning his style of ministry, Adegboyega dismissed their remarks, stressing his preference for surrounding himself with those who support him unconditionally.
“If gospel artistes aren’t my friends and are instead joining the bandwagon to criticize me by asking, ‘Is that a church?’ What should I do? Drag them with a rope?” he questioned.
He continued, “It’s my friends that will be there. Everyone in that room was my friend. Zlatan is like a son to me; his kids are my kids, and his parents were in my house. So should I now say, ‘Well, because you are not gospel artistes, let me go and look for some gospel artistes who are criticizing me and force them to sing?’”
“My friends will always sing at my events, and the next one will be bigger because my circle of friends keeps growing.”
See the video below:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DD5ypmUok-e/?igsh=MWdmdTdjMzB6aTZncw==
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