I wrote and recorded
Opelope Anointing in one day
By IME OLA
Friday , September 24, 2004
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| Evangelist
Dunni Olanrewaju
Photo by Sun News
Publishing
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She received divine annointing in July 2000 with the release
of her seventh album entitled Opelope Annointing. According
to Evangelist Victoria Dunni Olarewaju, the album, which was
a huge success, changed her life.
A talented singer and a minister of the word, Opelope Annointing,
as Olanrewaju is fondly called by fans, began music as a chorister
in the Christ Apostolic Church.
After that, she started an ewi Yoruba (Poetry) programme,
E duro e teti ( wait and lend me your ears), on Radio Lagos
in 1977.
That was before the release of her debut album Adun Igbeyawo
( the Joy of Marriage) way back in 1988. At the moment, the
gospel artiste has about 12 albums to her name. In an interview
with Daily Sun at her Opelope Annonting Praise Centre in Idimu,
a Lagos surburb, the artiste spoke about her career, family
and what drew her into gospel music.
Background
My name is Victoria Dunni Olarewaju. I was born in December
2, 1960 into the family of Mr. and Mrs. Isaiah Olumola Olaniyi
of Ibadan, Oyo state.
I attended Nawar Ud Deen Primary School, Ibadan and I later
proceeded to Elekuro Secondary Modern Commercial School also
in Ibadan. I worked as a poultry attendant in the Lagos State
Ministry of Agriculture before I was posted to the Information
Department of the Lagos state Ministry of Agriculture. I was
a fashion designer and caterer before I went into full time
music ministry.
Childhood
Well, it was very rough. I lost my father when I was very
young. So, my mother had to take care of us. In a society
like ours, you could imagine the type of upbringing such children
would have. My mother had the three of us then and we grew
up in a small village near Ibadan. You could also imagine
what life was like with us then, but I thank God for what
He has done in my life today, and in the life of my mother.
Attraction to music
As a chorister in the church, there were some choruses that
I really liked. Then, in my mind, I used to say that if God
could give me the talent to compose such choruses, I would
be happy. So, I prayed and God answered my prayers. I thank
God that He gave me what I requested for and today the lord
is glorified in my life. Before I released my first album
in 1988, I used to perform poems at ceremonies. When I was
about to put the album together, my father in the Lord, Pastor
Sola Rotimi, advised me to include one of my favourite poems
Adun Igbeyawo, which also turned out to be the album’s
title. It was an album I strongly believed would do well in
the market, but I don’t know what really went wrong.
My kind of music
I play gospel music. I minister in songs because I am a Christian.
My father was an evangelist while he was alive. My mother
is a choir mistress up till this moment. So, my mother inspired
me to sing and she taught me so many songs. Coming from that
kind of background, I don’t think I would have felt
comfortable playing any other kind of music.
Albums
My first album, Adun Igbeyawo, was released in 1988. It was
followed by My Miracle Dey for Road, 1992. In 1995, Ayo Re
Nbo was released. Between 1995 and 1999, three other albums
were released before the hit album Opelope Annointing was
released in July 2000. At the moment, I have about 12 albums
in the market, the last one being Ileri Oluwa (God’s
promise) released earlier in the year. I have almost completed
work on my new album, which will be launched on October 31,
2004 during the annual thanksgiving of the Faithful Cathedral,
by Idiroko Bus stop, Ikorodu Road, Lagos.
Message
The message in my music is to let people know that there is
no other god besides God Almighty. In some of my songs, I
extol the name of the lord. I try to bring people to know
how wonderful the Lord is. I want everybody to know that God
is the Alpha and Omega. He has everything. With him by your
side, you need not fear anybody.
Strength of my music
I can glorify the name of God for the testimonies I have been
receiving about my music. Many people have given testimonies
of how they got their miracles and breakthroughs through my
albums.
Awards
I have won about seven awards.
Biggest break
Yes, it came with the album Opelope Annointing in 2000. How
I put the album together? Well, it was the Lord’s doing.
All I remember now is that I sat down one day with a big burden
in my heart. I was thinking about my life. Then, I was thirty-nine
and a half years old. The spirit of God ministered to me and
said that but for his annointing, I that I would not have
made it in life? Though, I have read it in the book of Isaiah
15, that the annointing of the Lord is upon me, immediately
I heard the voice of God, the song Opelope Annointing came.
I had some songs that I had composed for about a year before
that year 2000. So, I sat down, chose the songs I wanted to
add. You see, I did not compose the lyrics in Opelope Annointing
before the day of recording. I got the lyrics from the Holy
Spirit the very day of recording.
How it made me feel
Then anytime I think about my life, I shed tears of joy. In
fact, I never expected what I am experiecing. It has been
overwhelming. Sometimes, when I go for programmes, I feel
embarrassed. For instance, immediately people site my vehicle,
they would begin to rush down to meet me. The protocol officials
of the different churches would book me for programmes in
their churches. The security people would be running like
dispatch riders in front of my car. Then I would ask, ‘God,
is this me?’ That is why I roll on the floor often to
glorify God.
Gospel music in vogue
I believe God is using it as a tool of evangelism. I am happy
a lot of people are going into it because the pastors alone
cannot do it. So, God is using the gospel artistes to minister
to people.
Music and the homefront
I thank God for the type of family God has given to me. My
children love what I am doing and they are always around to
accompany me to some of my programmes, especially when they
are on holidays.
Challenges
In any thing in life, if you face some challenges, consider
it normal. Any challenge that I face, I always believe that
it is for good. I don’t allow it to weigh me down.
Most difficult time
If you believe that everything in life is a challenge, then
you won’t experience difficult times. In any situation
that you find yourself, you just have to try and cope.
Role models
I admire Evangelist Bola Are and my father-in-the-Lord, Pastor
Sola Rotimi. But by the time I returned to Ibadan, I was inspired
by a ministry, The lion of Judah, led by Reverend Dr Akinade.
God has used his ministry to change the style of my ministration.
Anytime I watch the man of God on stage. I would say, God,
if it is you that gave this talent to your servant, I want
you to give me the same talent. I loved his style of ministration
in prayer, songs, and the words of God he preaches.
Regrets
I do not have any regrets because I believe in God.
Hobbies
I love dancing, singing and making people happy.
My person
I don’t really know how to describe myself. Perhaps,
I should pick from what people have said about me. Some people
describe me as a no-nonsense woman. I hate lies and dishonesty.
Others say that I am a gentle woman but I make them to realise
that I am not as gentle as they think.
Future Plans
I don’t think I can say it now, but it depends on how
God wants it. However, I want to help upcoming artistes.
Message to my fans
I want to tell them that I love them because they love me
too. I thank them because they have made me what I am today.
I thank my fans who buy my music. I am praying for them. |
