- As He Celebrates 30 Years In Music
- Gov. AMBODE & Wife Also In Attendance
Eko Hotel was filled to the brim on Sunday, 21st January, 2018 when a renowned saxophonist, Pastor Kunle Ajayi, popularly called PKA of the Redeemed Church of God celebrated his 30 years in the music ministry, PKA@30 as a music minstrel. The colourful anniversary dress code was black and gold, while the theme was: “In his presence”. It had in attendance were the Vice President’s wife, Dolapo Osinbajo, who was represented, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and wife, Bolanle, the mother in Israel and wife of Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Folu, and a retinue of Redeemed Pastors, members and PKA family members at large. City People’s Society Editor, TAYO FAJORIN OYEDIJI and Adeotan Osunyosade attended the powerful ministration and bring you all that took place at the 8 hours’ event.
EXHIBITION KICK-STARTS THE SHOW
Before the real event started, there was an exhibition that afforded guests opportunity to feed their eyes on the musical instrucments stand at the convention center lobby. It was a memorial moment for lovers of music as they fed their eyes on different types of instruments that Pastor Kunle Ajayi popularly called PKA has used in the past 30 years. All his saxophones, recorders, mouth pieces, trumpets and others were all displayed at a corner and guess who declared the exhibition corner opened? it was the mother of the day, Pastor Folu Adeboye, wife of the Redeemed GO, Pastor Enoch Adeboye. She walked about the exhibition corner alongside Pastor Kunle Ajayi, who showed her his many instruments of praise. Other guests also took their turns to cast admiring glances at some of images of PKA’s pictorial journey in the music ministry.
A 5-IN-1 EVENT
The event, PKA @ 30,was fully loaded with many activities. It was well organised and guests had fun throughout the programme. It was a 5-in-1 event, which started with an exhibition. It was followed by a Live recording, the real concert, Album launch and academy unveiling. All the activities took place on schedule. It was, indeed, a night of praise, thanksgiving and testimony as guests enjoyed themselves in the presence of God. The launch of his new album, Evergreen Album, witnessed some scintillating performances of his hit tracks and the launch of the music academy focused on offering children the best music education available.
BETWEEN THE ADEBOYES AND KUNLE AJAYI
To say that pastor Kunle Ajayi is close to the Adeboyes is likening their relationship to a snail and its shell affair Pastor Kunle Ajayi shares a very strong bond with Pastor Adeboye and his wife, Folu, and that is why he always refers to them as his daddy and mummy. Pastor Kunle Ajayi revealed his divine encounter with Pastor Adeboye many years ago, and some of his revelations shocked many. He shared how he has been with daddy Adeboye for over 30 years. No wonder, Pastor Kunle Ajayi, till date, is the Music Director of the Redeemed Church of God and Pastor Adeboye’s official saxophonist, who ushers him into any ministration.
MALOMO REPRESENTS VP OSINBAJO & WIFE, DOLAPO
The Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo and his loving wife, Dolapo, were also among the very important dignitaries, who should have been at the anniversary, but owing to official assignments, they couldn’t make it. They sent in their well wishes through Pastor Seyi Malomo, who is the chaplain of Aso rock villa chapel. The Osinbajos also share a close friendship with Kunle Ajayi and his family, they are also Pastors of the Redeemed Church.
GOV AMBODE AND WIFE’S, SPIRITUAL SIDE REVEALED
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his delectable wife, Bolanle, stormed the Eko Convention Centre about 5.30pm and made their way straight to the head table after acknowledging their fans’ hailing at the black carpet Arena. The event showed the other side of Governor Ambode and his wife as devoted Christians, who do not joke with the affairs of God. They sang and danced along as Pastor Kunle Ajayi took on his performances. Gov Ambode further delivered a beautiful speech. He said: “I am excited to be here this evening because this is a different concert that I am actually witnessing in the last 30 months that I have been in the state of power. We always come to this place to witness concert of artistes that does not have a complete band but, I am happy to be here to celebrate a genius and someone, who combines spirit with music that draw us closer to God”. He also pledges his support for his forthcoming launch of the PKA academy.
SENATOR OLUREMI TINUBU PRESENT
Chief (Mrs) Oluremi Tinubu has not hidden the fact that she is a Christian and a practising one at that. She supports anything that has to do with church, despite that her husband is a Muslim. She is a mother to all and was at the event to celebrate the beautiful life of Pastor Kunle Ajayi in music for the past 30 years.She came in a few minutes to 7pm and exchanged pleasantries with Mummy G.O, Gov Ambode before she teamed up with the happy crowd, listening to good music from the minstrel.
ORJI UZOR KALU, STORMS THE EVENT WITH OTHER DIGNITARIES
Among important personalities, who graced the colourful ceremony were the former Governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor Kalu, Segun Awolowo and wife, Tola Ogun State Commissioner, Bimbo Ashiru and wife, Kemi; Oloori Ladun Sijuwade, Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson, Shade Balogun, Yomi Badejo Okusanya, CAN Chairman Lagos State, Apostle Alexander Bamgbola, Funmi Ajila Ladipo, Bimbo Oworu, Debbie Olujobi, Bola Ogundipe, Quincy Ayodele and many others.
BISHOP WALE OKE DRIVES IN FROM IBADAN
If Bishop Francis Wale Oke leaves his territory in Ibadan to grace an occasion outside his state, then the event must be a very important one or organised by someone who is close to him. He was in Lagos at the Eko Hotel for PKA @ 30. He honoured Pastor Kunle Ajayi, with whom he shares a father-and-son relationship. He came in early for the event and was there till it was over. Bishop Wale Oke is also close to the Adeboyes. He is the Pastor in charge and the President, Sword of the Spirit Ministry, Ibadan and the presiding Bishop of Christ Life Church,Worldwide. He is also the National Vice-President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in the South West.
ONE STAGE – OVER 10 ARTISTES
When a veteran is celebrating, it is expected that it would witness appearance of many artistes, who would be on stage to celebrate with him. Pastor Kunle Ajayi invited some special people to feature in his different performances, many artistes however, trooped out to celebrate with him especially those who are gifted in playing instruments. Among the many music stars and instrumentalists, who graced the event and performed were: Chief Ebenezer Obey, Fmr Cross River Governor, Donald Duke, Ayewa international, Nataniel Bassey, BEEJAY Sax, Ayan Jesu, Michael Akingbala, Kristabel, Tosin Bee, Femi Okunuga, Funke Akinokun, OBA, Rebecca Ogolo and many others.
ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT PASTOR KUNLE AJAYI
Pastor Kunle Ajayi is a gospel singer, songwriter, saxophonist, televangelist and the Director of Music at the Redeemed Christian Church of God. He was born in June, 1964 in Mushin, Lagos State. He attended Mushin Local Council Primary School, Idioro for his primary education before he proceeded to Eko Boys High School where he obtained the West Africa School Certificate. After leaving high school, he went to Ijanikin where he studied music. Formed a band called ‘The Ambassadors’ with his group of friends and produced his first album. He later married his sweetheart, Toyin Ajayi, at The Apostolic Church Idioro, Mushin. He was ordained an assistant pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in 1991 and later became a full Pastor in 1997, having completed a one-year programme at Faith Bible College. He later studied music at Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin and proceeded to the Royal College of Music in London where he obtained a certificate in music. He started playing musical instruments particularly, saxophone in the early 1980s and has been doing it for 30 years. He is the official saxophonist for Pastor Adeboye and ushers him in before any of his ministration.
A HEART FULL OF THANKS FOR PKA
The happiest person at the event was Kunle Ajayi, who has not only brought people together, but to experience super performances and also get transformed. He was most excited that his spiritual parents, Pastor Adeboye and his wife, Folu, stood by him all through. He expressed appreciation to the current and former Governors present and also thanked the Redeemed Church and all guests in attendance.
MUMMY G.O SPECIALLY APPRECIATED PASTOR KUNLE AJAYI’S WIFE
When it was time for Mummy GO to perform her duty, she prayed for all donors towards the realisation of the PKA Academy. She also recognised the presence of everyone and appreciated Kunle Ajayi’s wife, Toyin, in what could be a special recognition, Mummy GO called her out for people to recognise her for a job well done on Kunle, for all her support, and endurance all along that Kunle has been with Pastor Adeboye. She also prayed for both of them and their 2 sons, Dami and Bayo.
EBENEZER OBEY Performs a SONG
Among the veteran musicians and foremost instrumentalists in Nigeria is the grand commander, Chief Ebenezer Obey, who was at the event and was the first person to feature alongside Pastor Kunle Ajayi on stage. They both did a track together and to show the excitement. Pastor Kunle revealed that he has much respect for Obey to have given him a priviledge to sing the song he wanted. They both performed Eda to ba monuro’’ together.
DONALD DUKE’S LOVE FOR SAX
For many at the event, they must have heard, but not seen a former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, performing on stage, blowing sax. He put up a beautiful performance at the event as he stormed the stage to blow sax with Pastor Kunle Ajayi, “they performed ‘how great thou hath” track.
TAX CHIEF, TUNDE FOWLER, STEPS IN WITH HIS WIFE, ROSEMARY
The Lagos former Tax boss and current federal tax Chief, Tunde Fowler, was also at the event. He was there with his pretty wife, Rosemary, to support Pastor Kunle Ajayi. They came a few minutes past 6pm and also experienced an evening of great transformation.
PASTOR, IDOWU ILUYOMADE, WITHOUT SIJU
Hardly will you see the parish pastor of RCCG, City of David, Pastor Idowu Iluyomade, without his wife, especially at church-programmes because they are both prominent in the Redeemed family as a whole, but at the Pastor Kunle Ajayi’s event, Pastor Idowu was there without his wife, Siju. He came in alone and was incharge of fund raising for the PKA academy. He also pledged a huge amount of millions.
KUNLE AJAYI GETS STANDING OVATION FOR PERFORMING 15 SONGS
Kunle Ajayi practically stole his show that day because he was at his best and proved beyond reasonable doubt that he is a master saxophonist. No wonder, he boasted at a point that he could blow till eternity”. From the moment he mounted the stage to start his appearance, he performed about 15 songs with his saxophone and showed no trace of tiredness Even if you are not a lover of jazz music or instrumentals, you could not but fall in love with Pastor Kunle Ajayi’s performance. He held all guests spell bound and kept them on their feet all through.
MEET PASTOR KUNLE AJAYI’S 2 SONS
Pastor Kunle Ajayi has a beautiful family. He is married to Toyin Ajayi and blessed with 2 sons, Dami and Bayo. The sons have fully taken after their dad in blowing sax. They were the cynosure of all eyes at the anniversary when they mounted the stage to perform with their dad. The ovation was deafening as many guests got on their feet, dancing and showering encomia on them.
WHEN KUNLE AJAYI FEATURED DADDY G O, ADEBOYE IN HIS SONGS
Pastor Kunle Ajayi had featured with many artistes in his songs and the most surprising one is with Daddy GO, Adeboye. He featured him in 3 of his songs and it was a nice listening for everyone. People hailed as Pastor Adeboye showered blessings and prayers on everyone through the songs.
OVER 500 REDEEMED PASTORS AND MEMBERS STORMTHE EVENT
It was surely a Redeemed event. So, what do we expect? There was huge presence of many top redeemed pastors and members, who came out in their hundreds to celebrate with one of their own.
NOBLE CARPET CUSTOMISES THE BLACK CARPET Section
From the entrance of the convention centre, straight to the aisle and to the exhibition corner and the black carpet section , a beautiful customized black carpet was laid. It was customised with PKA @ 30 logo and image of his saxophone. This was done by a leading carpet and rug company in Nigeria, Noble carpets. It added much beauty to the long walk way and guests had their feet pampered as they strolled into the event hall.
A BLACK-AND-GOLD AFFAIR
It was a black-and-gold event. The gold stood at the convention centre giving it a warm and relaxed atmosphere. The tables were covered in classy black table covers with a gold folded cover cloth placed across the centre of the table. Lovely white side plates were placed round the tables to give it a classic look. The chairs, covered in black chair covers were attractively arranged round the tables for a comfortable sitting position.
THE BEAUTIFUL USHERS
The ushers were gorgeously dressed in simple black dresses with lovely gold Frills. The approchable ushers were positioned at every corner of the hall making sure that guests were well attended to.
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