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Abuja based gospel artiste, Toyin Joe-Bassey has advised church leaders to show more appreciation and respect to gospel artistes who are truly serving God in their capacity as gospel artistes.
According to Joe-Bassey, who also observed that professionalism and originality have been eroded in the gospel music industry due to lack of enough support and encouragement, said, “As a professional, I would say originality has been eroded. Most Gospel musicians who having served in various ministries and churches over the years may not have been shown respect, appreciation and may not have been inadequately financially compensated…so most of them maybe need-driven to make ends meet. This is my understanding of why they join the bandwagon of singing what people like to hear rather what God wants people to hear.”
The artiste, who recently dropped her album of 10 tracks, said about the project that, “My debut album project is tagged ‘MY TRIBUTE’ releasing 10 tracks. Like the project name. I owe God and people whose lives God in His eternal wisdom has connected and tied to my apron strings. My inspiration is my indebtedness to God. My sounds and songs are aimed at helping people reconnect with God in a loving personal relationship.”
With a deep passion for Nigerian brand of gospel music, Joe-Bassey , a 1990 graduate of Industrial Chemistry at the University of Ilorin, said further that, “Gospel music in Nigeria if given due attention, embraced and invested in has a great future (with an international face at that).” According to her however, “How far one’s work gets depends on personal relationship with God, embracing one’s originality, personal re-invention, understanding the place, purpose, power and dynamism of music/music trends and commitment to highest quality productions.”
Apart from her passion for music, Joe-Bassey also has a ministry to the less privileged inthe society. Her passion was vented in Abuja last December when she staged The Christmas Barbeque Concert during which she celebrated the yuletide with the special children to raise support for them.
The concert that featured other artistes including Da T.r.u.t.h, Jazzsari (Asari Otu-Adeoye), Asuza (Ayobami Timothy) Eketi Aimee Ette and Israel Funsho and Amaray (Amarachi Angela Nwankwo), culminated in support for the children living with several disabilities in care centre at the federal capital territory.
“The main focus of the event was the fund raising to gather support from privileged Nigerians to support the homes,” she explained, stating further, she also said that, “I have visited some of these centres where children with disabilities are kept and found out that a lot needs to be put in place to make these facilities more conducive.”
The gospel and fine artiste concluded that, “The teachers and care givers at the homes need to be supported. Though the government is sponsoring these centres, such support, in reality of modern day challenges and the actual needs on ground, can be boosted by efforts of the larger society.”
