Scores of music lovers and worshippers from Lagos, Ogun State, and as far as FCT- Abuja defied Sunday’s heavy downpour to attend Shade Oshoba’s Kikida Empowerment Concert which was staged at Lagos Airport Hotel Ikeja, Lagos State on the 20th October 2024.
Kikida Concert is a pet project of the winner of Applause Achievers’ Awards and it is birthed out of unflinching passion to minister soul-lifting music to restore hope to the hopeless while empowering young, talented, innovative, and creative entrepreneurs who are selected online and within various rural communities in Lagos and Ogun State.
The Concert opened with the Nigerian National Anthem performed by the children of the host, Praise, Peter, and Peace, energizing the atmosphere and thrilling the audience.
In an opening Charge, Pastor Johnson F. Odesola, the RCCG Continental Overseer for Continent 3, represented by Pastor Femi Olunuga, the Assistant Pastor in Charge of RCCG Region 1, commended the organizers and encouraged all music ministers not to give up on their dreams despite discouragements and challenges that are attributed to music ministry but to continue to develop their skills and get better on the job.
He therefore asked them to draw from the everlasting victory that was won over 2,000 years ago because the devil is not happy with anyone in the music ministry. He thereafter prayed for all music ministers.
While the captivating maiden appearance of Shade Oshoba got worshipers to slay in the spirit as they lay their crowns in deep worship to the Almighty God by the enchanting hymns drawn from the realms of the spirit by the convener, the second performance was a blend of her Apala gospel brand and an electrifying praise session that made worshipers leap for joy. It was indeed a celebration moment that will not be forgotten in a jiffy.
While addressing journalists, the Host of the 50 Days Hymns Challenge held earlier this year said the Kikida concert will henceforth feature several spiritual hymns to draw the hearts of worshippers to God.
“Kikida Concert was divinely given. My team and I have decided that going forward, we will always create an atmosphere of deep worship with hymns to access the throne of mercy so that God can in return attend to our needs. You will agree with me more that we need divine intervention in Nigeria and since God inhabits the praise of his people, he will hear our cry in the place of worship and heal our land amid our praises,” she said.
“What makes Kikida Concert different from other concerts is the Empowerment. We have the privilege to minister to the spirit, soul, and body of the participants. People gather to worship and are sure to return home with pleasant surprises. This year, we shared about 200 packs of Raw rice, packs of table water and soft drinks, imported souvenirs, and more importantly about 30 creative entrepreneurs who will be empowered financially for business upscale, thanks to all our sponsors and brand supporters. Unlike other editions of Kikida Concert, the empowerment segment will be coming up in December in a grand style,” Shade Oshoba added.
The Keynote address was delivered by Dr. Abosede Yinka-Ogundimu, General Manager/Divisional Head, Providus Bank with the theme: Surviving in Business in a Harsh Economy. Her eye-opening analysis was highly educational, spanning from the state of Nigeria’s current economic realities to strategies for businesses to survive.
These strategies according to Dr. Abosede Yinka-Ogundimu are as follows:
Saving a portion of your income – Minimum 80%, avoiding unsolicited expenses, reducing expenses that are foreign exchange related, focusing only on businesses with high yield and returns – shift to businesses within the hierarchy of need – Food, Shelter and Clothing, donations and sponsorship should be done according to capacity and defined intents, avoiding wastage and ensuring top-notch storage system, embracing the cheapest energy sources i.e. Alternative Energy.
She also said this is not the time to impress anyone. Instead, survival mode should be activated, regulate recruitment exercises and employ only versatile hands, appraise performance periodically with profitability in focus, and block all leakages.
Leading the list of guest ministers at Kikida 3.0 is sensational Mike Abdul whose energetic performance was all engaging, Eby Opera’s ecstatic Hallelujah Chorus filled the hall with God’s glorious presence, Anne Kenjinu’s undiluted worship session pulled the tears from worshippers and blissful performance of Busayo Elereoba was awesome.
Other ministers who engaged worshippers with intensive praise and hymns within the three hours programs are, the Royal Evangel Choir, When Women Pray Ogudu Choir, When Women Pray Ogba Choir, and Bamidele Bata Crew who eulogized God in a traditional Yoruba genre.
Kikida Concert provides past beneficiaries of the empowerment scheme the opportunities to showcase their goods and services and a number of past beneficiaries were present to display their products and also connect investors.
READ ALSO: Sanwo-Olu commends Shade Oshoba over successful hosting of KIKIDA 2.0
Some of the worshippers shared several opinions about the Kikida Empowerment Concert.
“Kikiida 3.0 was a wonderful opportunity for believers to come together to glorify God. The atmosphere was electric, filled with intense worship. It was fascinating to see people from different walks of life come together to praise God. The event also provided a platform for worship artists to express themselves, and showcase their God-given talents leaving a lasting impression on all attendees. Overall, the event was a resounding success, leaving worshipers feeling uplifted”. Pastor Gabriel Adigun.
“For me, this is the best concert I have ever attended, the performances were awesome, Minister Shade delivered well and I pray God continues to take her ministry to the next level of exploitation. The most amazing part of it is the fact that I am going home with a beautiful pack of raw rice that I can eat with my family. God bless her and all those that made this possible,” Mr. Banjo.
“For me, the hymns session made my day. It’s been a long time since I listened to hymns that are creatively selected in that sequence. Shade Oshoba did justice to that and I know God will take her to greater places in ministry,” Mr Adeyinka.
“I don’t think I have been to any concert where I go home with raw foodstuffs before. Minister Shade and her husband are unique and I thank God for their lives. More importantly, the sharing was so organized. The ushers just come to your seat and present a pack of rice to you. I appreciate this kind gesture”. Mrs. Okafor.
According to Mr. Paul Oshoba, the husband of the host and Publisher of Smile Entrepreneurship Magazine, the Kikida Awards was introduced last year in collaboration with Smile Media Development Concept Limited to celebrate living legends who have impacted humanity, society, and the nation at large in a different capacity.
The Kikida Awards 2024 Awardees include Her Excellency, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo Olu, the First Lady of Lagos State – Kikida Woman of the Year Award, His Excellency, Mr. Femi Hamzat, The Executive Deputy Governor of Lagos State – Trailblazer Leadership Award, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, Executive Chairman, Doyin Group of Companies – Best Icon of Industry Award, Pastor Wale Adeferasin, The Senior Pastor – Guiding Light Assembly Transformational Leadership Award, Dr. Abosede Yinka-Ogundimu, Outstanding Contribution to Society Award, Dr. Tola Johnson – Humanitarian Personality Award, Dr. Chinedum Okereke, Managing Director, The La Casera Company – Innovative Beverage Company Award, Mrs. Folake Ogunlalu – Humanitarian Personality Award, Hon. Bolaji Cecilia Dada, Lagos State Commissioner of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Humanitarian Personality Award, Mrs. Folashade A. Awe, General Manager, Lagos Airport Hotel Ikeja, Trailblazer Achievement Award.
When asked about the inspiration behind the convert on the sidelines of the event which was well attended despite the heavy pour in an environment with top-notch security, Sade Oshoba said that the annual Kikida Concert is inspired by God.
She said; ‘‘Kikida Concert is God-inspired. Actually, I have been longing to have a concert like every other Music minister but my husband had always asked me to wait and hear God speak to me and give directions concerning the theme. After several years, I heard “Kikida”, Bountiful Praise, Absolute Praise. When I told him, he caught the revelation and we started running with the vision. This is the third edition, glory be to God.
She disclosed why the concert is not theme-bound; ‘‘Kikida is not theme-bound. We just key into the theme of the concert “Kikida Empowerment Concert” and we allow God to lead us.
Shade Oshoba also explained why Kikida Concert is different from other events and the challenges she has encountered in trying to stage the music jamboree every year for the past three years.
She said; ‘‘We realize people go to concerts to worship and bless the name of the Lord and in return their spirit, soul, and body get ministered to and we decided to go an extra mile by empowering some of the participants financially in business upscale and support. This year’s empowerment comes up in grand style by December. Through our sponsors, we are giving out about 200 packs of raw rice today with other food items, water, and drinks.
‘‘It has been God all the way. A lot of people are blessed through our token of love and support for their lives and businesses. Her Excellency, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, The First Lady Lagos State, top government officials and captains of Industries, and my Daddy in the Lord Pastor Joseph Adeyokunnu were among the special guests of honour last year, this year, it’s a great honour to have the Continental Overseer for RCCG Continent 3, Pastor Johnson Odesola represented, Pastor Bisi Olowoyo and his wife, my wonderful mother, Dr. Abosede Yinka-Ogundimu, who took the Keynote Address on Surviving in Business in Harsh Economy. Those survival tips made my day and I know participants will go home enlightened, The MD of Well Plus Pharmacy, Mr. Tolu Jawando was here, Pastor Babarinde flew in from Abuja to grace this occasion, and many other top Pastors, General Overseer and business tycoons who defiled the rain to attend Kikida Concert. I am overjoyed.
‘‘We almost canceled this year’s edition because of the economic situation but God showed up. It all started with a seed and the seed grew to a mighty tree. People we knew and knew not began to connect with the vision and today the testimony is “God did it. Though we still trust God for more funds to be able to perfect the Kikida Empowerment Scheme and also look forward to partnering with corporate organizations and individuals to keep the dream alive.’’ Shade concluded.
