By Seyifunmi Odunuga
All roads that led to the Hall of Grace, Jogor Center, Ibadan, were jam-packed with heavy and mighty people in society, anointed men and women of God, the who is who in the music and entertainment industries, and a host of others when they converged to celebrate the gospel music legend, Evangelist (Dr.) Bola Are, who was celebrating 50 years on stage.
The arraignments put together to achieve the success of the event were coordinated and chaired by the Shepherd in Charge, Holy Church of En-Hakkore, Felele, Ibadan, and Pastor Bola Oyediran, who declared the event open with an opening prayer, followed by the ushering of the celebrant into the event venue after the red carpet interview anchored by the popular Queen of Red Carpet, Fola Slim.
Thereafter, there were song ministrations with different kinds of gospel artists, such as Evangelist (Dr.) Bukola Akinade, popularly called “Senwele Jesu”; Esther Igbekele; Folasade Taiwo; Bose Super; Adeynka Alaseyori; Elijah Akintude Olorun o so be; Harmony Band, and a host of others.
The gospel artists did not disappoint the dignitaries present at the occasion, as they all performed wonderfully well.
Later, the Master of Ceremony, Kofoworola Olofinyo, popularly called Mc Kofo, invited Prophess (Dr) Bisi Alawiye Aluko to read the welcome address, followed by Mother of the Day, Prophetess Esther Ajayi, for her keynote address.
In her goodwill message, she lauded Mama Bola Are as a woman who is always in the spirit of God whenever she calls for ministration, stating that she has continued to be a source of inspiration to most gospel singers and is still relevant today.
She then charged the gospel singers of today to emulate Mama Bola Are, who has taken gospel music to the next level, while praying for her to live a long time.
When it was time for prophetic prayer, Prophet Olowoyo sealed the evangelistic potential through the word of God, and it was amazing.
Thereafter, MC Kofo invited Woli Arole, Enitan Olusegun Bamidele, popularly called EOB of Fresh FM, and Woli Agba to treat the congregation to scintillating comedy that electrified the event hall.
Some of the dignitaries present, such as Pastor Sunday Popoola of WOCCOM, Pastor Adelakun of Rehoboth Cathedral, Prophetess Esther Ajayi, Baba Onala, Rev. (Dr.) Kehinde Alabi of Molete Baptist Church, Prophet Sam Ojo, popularly called Baba Authority, Evangelist (Dr.) Funmi Aragbaiye, and other anointed men and women of God, while speaking in an interview with the Queen of the Red Carpet, Fola Slim, lauded Mama Bola Are for not relenting in taking the gospel music to the next level.
Others included Bukola Akinade “Senwele Jesu”; Big Bolaji; Elijah Akintude Olorun o so be; Kemi Rehoboth; Manchester-based gospel singer Bolaji Omikunle, popularly called Beejay de Grace; Esther Igbekele; Folasade Taiwo; Adeyinka Alaseyori; and a host of others who praised Mama Bola Are for the support she has rendered for their upliftment and prayed for her to live long on the surface of the earth.
Also, the daughter of the gospel music icon, Yetunde Are, gave thanks to almighty God for the strength and protection over her mother till now, adding that Mama Bola Are has laboured and is now reaping the fruits of her labour in the music industry while praying to God to give her a long life.
Mama Bola Are, in her response, thanked all the dignitaries, both home and abroad, present, while also lauding the 50-year planning committee chaired by Pastor Bola Oyediran for a job well done and praying for success in all their endeavours.
The cutting of the anniversary cake was coordinated by Pastor Bola Oyediran.
The Chairman, Planning Committee, Pastor Bola Oyediran, in his vote of thanks, commended Mama Bola Are for the belief she has in the committee members while extending appreciation to all the dignitaries present and, most especially, his team, the anniversary planning committee, for the restless efforts they put together for the success of the event, and finally prayed for them.
Kofoworola Olofinyo, popularly called MC Kofo, anchored the event, which was covered by Apreel1 Events TV.
