‘As gospel artiest and nurse I discovered I could minister to patients’

Since the 90s Ekenem has been writing songs. Though her musical journey began much earlier as she only went professional recently. In this interview, Ekenem whose track made the 16 in the Christian Talents Community’s compilation told DAYO EMMANUEL where her profession as a nurse meets with her career as a gospel artiste  and minister. Excerpts:

 

How did you begin as a gospel artiste?

Well I better say it this way that I started singing as a teenager. Being a gospel artiste is just something I recently picked up though I have desired being one a long time ago.

Most people sang as children in schools and Churches, but while you sang as a teenager, was there anything special pointing to a future singing career?

Well I would say at that time I wasn’t really thinking alongside being a musical artiste though I had passion for music, I really wanted to go into fashion and designing because I love doing things with my hands.

When did you finally go professional and how many albums so far?

Like earlier mentioned I’m a starter professionally but I’ve been writing my own songs as far as the late 90s. Just going professionally this year with the help of my Chief Responsibility Officer of Christian Talent Community, Obus Zalee.

How has your profession influenced your song writing? Any connection?

Yes. Nursing is a profession where you meet a lot of people with various ailments. Aside nursing patients with some disease conditions with drugs I discovered our job does not just end with injections but with empathy. You encourage, you allay fears, you educate and even pray for your patients. It gives me a broader view of knowing that I could also minister through songs to these people so there is a connection.

How do you come about your inspiration?

Singing in the choir, just making myself available to the music ministry was what helped me. I wasn’t given key role like singing solos but I was just happy being in the group and feeling fulfilled and then boom! I discovered I just got better and better by the day. Inspiration came from experiences, what people go through, and most especially what God lays in my heart at that time.

You have been writing songs since the 90s, how many songs so far have you written and any particular one so special?

Quality I will say matters in everything. It is not how much but how well. I had about twenty songs but discovered the recent ones are the ones that inspire me more. For now, “IYIN SEGUN” is that special one.

What inspired this special track?

Honestly I ask myself this same question, you know that point in one’s life when you don’t know what to do and you need some kind of encouragement and the only thing you find yourself doing is just to sing. This song came up in my spirit and I wrote it down and then started working on it. By the time it was done and I sang it to myself I just broke down in tears because I began to see God’s love for us. He never abandons us and you know what? Anytime I sing that song this chills I feel all over me sometimes I just break down and cry and then a calmness overwhelms me immediately then up again full of life.

How come you sing Yoruba song so well?

I was born in Lagos, I had my primary and secondary education in Lagos.

Can you share your salvation experience?

I gave my life to Christ in 1994. I had always felt this emptiness I wanted to fill up in my life but didn’t know how to go about it. But luckily I had an elder brother who was a strong Christian then, a committed member of Christ Chapel International Churches who always talked to his friends about the Christian faith whenever they visited. I would be in the bedroom just listening to every conversation because I found the story about the Christian faith so interesting. Then I started having this strong desire to have this experience too, thank God he moved from my parents’ apartment to be on his own. Shortly I joined him and I started going to Church with him and that was where I had the full experience of salvation.

Where do you worship and how has the Church supported your career?

I worship at Voice of God’s glory Evangelical Ministry and my husband happens to be the Pastor there. He has been of great support to me be.