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Chinyere Abiaziem
With the gathering of thousands for two decades, Convener of the annual gospel event, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, has emphasised the place of proper planning, accountability, enabling environment and security for the achievement of excellence in the nation.
Adefarasin at the press conference of ‘The Experience 20’, with several gospel artistes in attendance, noted that over the years young Nigerian professionals involved with ‘The Experience’, have demonstrated that with an enabling environment, world class result was inevitable.
He stated:”It is the belief that even in a challenging world, we can still experience something extraordinary together.
“At its core, The Experience is a simple idea executed with unwavering excellence – Bring world-class artistry to a stage on the African Continent. Create a safe space for people to convene, and remind the nation of what is possible when systems work.
“The truth is that excellence is not magic. It is carefully arranged. It involves planning and accountability. It is young Nigerian professionals demonstrating, year after year, that when the environment is suitable, we perform at world class levels.”
Speaking on the milestone achievement, he said ‘The Experience’, (which holds this year under the theme, ‘Jesus United’), signifies unity of purpose.
“20 years marks a significant milestone. It demonstrates the resilience of God’s grace, growth, and the nation that, despite its challenges, continues to unite, celebrate, and rise together.
“This brings us to our theme for this year, Jesus United. Unity does not happen by chance. It is deliberate. It starts in the heart of an individual and grows into families, communities, and nations. When people share values that uplift everyone, society begins to heal and become stronger.
“‘Jesus united’ reminds us that our most profound unity is found in Him. In shared purpose. In shared grace. In shared responsibility for one another. We do not stand together because we are the same, but because we are willing to build something greater than ourselves,” stated Adefarasin.
Going memory lane, he added that 20 years, ‘The Experience’ began as an idea; one night where music, excellence, and community could live on the same stage.
Noting that today, it has become a global moment, he shared:”And every year, since 2006, there is a point during the night, usually around midnight, when I look around and realise that this is bigger than a concert.
“It is what unity looks like in real time. Scripture captures this beautifully in Genesis 11:5, where God observes a people unified in heart and intention. It is a reminder that unity has always carried immense potential, especially when people gather around meaning and shared purpose.
“For one night, people who do not look alike or think alike move to the same rhythm.The rhythm is hope.The sound is from heaven.It is possibility.”
