Reviving Awhangbahun Beat As Spiritual Ethos and Art, by Reuben Omotayo Hopo

The grit determination to revive Awhangbahun as drumbeat of victory in the forthcoming three days event that would begin from Thursday, July 25 – Saturday, July 27, 2024 at Badagry, Lagos State, Nigeria is gathering momentum with this first orchestra which defined and influenced the growth of Celestial Church of Christ from source till the late eighties. In April 2024, the orchestra gained optimal attention of the authority of the Church Worldwide to revive and preserve its spiritual essence as used by the Founder, Saint Samuel Bilewu Joseph Oshoffa (of blessed memory) for evangelism, crusade, devotion and ceremonies. This spiritual ethos is being revitalized considering its very rich testimonies as having the efficacy in ministration to neutralize evil forces from oppressing their prey. Its involvement in the Church at inception remains a divine gift that set several people and communities free from the bondage of witches and witchcrafts both in Republic of Benin and Nigeria.

As a denomination birthed in September 29, 1947 during the historic eclipse of the sun in Agonge in the Republic of Benin, the erosion of the beat by the popular European musical instruments and the assimilation of Yoruba drumbeats like gongon, omele, konga, bata, gbedu etc into the modern strings as the Church continues to spread all over have severely eroded this drumbeat remarkably standing as a different genre of music in the Church. The gradual extermination felt by a few conscious members of the Church during worship and celebration every year now attracted a collective concern to revive the beat in the gathering of worshippers including the Gen Z.

Special Superior Evangelist Folahan Oke Samuel was the first that threw up the challenge to promote the orchestra and the thought got the spiritual blessing of His Eminence, Rev. E. M. F. Oshoffa, The Pastor CCC Worldwide. According to The Pastor, “Awhangbahun is a gift for humanity, not just Celestial members” is yielding a significant turning point with the support of the spiritual head to celebrate the maiden edition of Awhangbahun Festival International as a global event has reached an advance stage. In addition, The Pastor had issued a directive to the Church globally to celebrate Awhangbahun annually in Badagry has reposition the cradle of Christianity in Nigeria for religious tourism.

The preparation for the international event to display traditional Awhangbahun beat is to give a unique brand of music renditions that most people have always loved and desired about the Badagry identity as a taste of a different culture. The need to foster this understanding for niche performance had received maximum attention as the festival approaches fast. The festival which is expected to draw over ten thousand people globally would feature: unveiling ceremony, victory and praise procession, Awhangbahun open air, evangelical crusade, healing, symposium, exhibition, Awhangbahun , concert and competition and grand finale.

The event which places a premium on Badagry to showcase excellent performance of its music to the world in the forthcoming religious gathering calls for the presence of Ògù sons and daughters in Nigeria, Africa, Europe and diaspora to embrace the festival as a spiritual heritage that would enhance their self-esteem and capability to render dexterous musical performance at all religious gathering is a distinguishing mark to attain better equation in the world of music. Therefore, this event should be desired collectively and drive with utmost necessity.

The essence of the festival is a good idea that is belated. Children and youths henceforth should also be raised in their music heritage to gain talents to entertain diverse audiences and stakeholders anywhere in the world and in different religious affinities. It is a commonplace for schools and Churches now to call children out for cultural day. Children learning to render a little piece of song in Ògù and precise meaning of the song provided for them to interpret it own their own may be the panacea for breaking into their natural world. Hence, it is essential to rejuvenate to fitness and worthiness by practicing their God-send’s performance. Given the linguistic divide, it is no longer normal for future generations to gain western education and the knowledge of foreign music, and be at sizeable lost of a good memory of the cultural performances that make them a brand among others. It cannot continue to be dulling or dope. It is necessary that scholars also give their attention to this maiden festival as a different genre in the heartbeat of culture in the world.

With less less than two weeks to hold the performance, Royal Fathers expected to grace the event are the following: His Imperial Majesty, Alaiyeluwa, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi (Ojaja II) CFR, The Ooni of Ife; His Royal Majesty, De Wheno, Aholu Menu Toyi 1 OFR, LLD, The Akran of Badagry Kingdom; His Royal Majesty, Alaiyeluwa, Oba Oladele Idris Kosoko, The Oniworo of Iworo Kingdom; His Royal Majesty, De Ovitotode Aholu Toyi 1 FCCN, The Sano of Ikoga-Zebbe Kingdom; and, His Royal Majesty, Aholu Jakavi 1, Owa Ajaka of Age-Mowo Kingdom.

Membership of the Steering Committee spearheading the performance are: Superior Senior Woleader Babatunde Olaide Mesewaku, Ph.D, Chairman; Special Superior Evangelist Folahan Oke Samuel, Coordinator; Superior Evangelist Jeremiah Athantoposi, Secretary; Most Senior Evangelist Reuben Omotayo Hopo, Assistant Secretary; Superior Senior Leader Jacob Josu; Senior Evangelist Louis Gabriel Whenayon, Public Relations Officer; Special Venerable Most Evangelist Mathew Yewhenu, Financial Secretary and the following prominent members, Superior Evangelist Jeremiah Padonu, Superior Evangelist Gilbert Fanu, Venerable Most Evangelist E. K. Akran, Prophet Jonah Comlan Avitin; Special Most Evangelist Tope Padonu, Most Senior Evangelist (Dr.) Timothy Oke, Superior Evangelist Bartholomew Wusu, Superior Evangelist Oluwadamilare Mejabi, Most Senior Evangelist Oladele Ogunbiyi, Lace Elder Sister Pentho Francis, Lace Elder Sister Kemi Lebile, Asst. Leader Sonayon Agosa Mother Celestial Ekundayo Samuel, Mother Celestial Morenike Popogbe and other members of the Awhangbahun Festival Mass Choir to mention a few.

Expected dignitaries are the following: The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as Chief Guest of Honour; Cardinal James Omolaja Odumbaku (a.k.a Baba Eto), Member Governance Advisory Council, Lagos State; Reverend Mother Abimbola Esther Ajayi, Founder, The Love of Generation Church; APC Lagos State Chairman, Pastor (Hon.) Cornelius Oyefolu Ojelabi; Executive Chairman of Badagry-West Local Council Development Area, Special Venerable Most Evangelist Gbenu Joseph Henugbe and other prominent members in Nigeria and overseas.

Mentoring the Steering Committee are: The Pastor himself as the event’s Chief Host, His. Eminence, Rev. E. M. F. Oshoffa; Ogun State Superintendent, Venerable Superior Evangelist Ojulanfe Joseph Talon; Superior Evangelist Kayode Ajala (MPIC), General Secretary Worldwide, Venerable Superior Evangelist Ado Leon; Venerable Superior Evangelist Akputu; Venerable Superior Evangelist L. Pafenoh (MPIC); Venerable Superior Evangelist Avinaku, Venerable Superior Evangelist Olusiji Olajide (MPIC), and other members of CCC Badagry Regional Elders Council; Venerable Superior Evangelist Ebenezer Oshoffa, Venerable Superior Evangelist Tosho Oshoffa and other prominent elders.

In conclusion, the event has been arranged to hold at two separate venues at different hours of the day between CCC Rev. P. H. Ajoseh Memorial Cathedral (Sowhe Mother Parish Badagry) and Badagry Grammar School. Provision has been made to convey all visitors with free vehicles and free accomodations after the programmes for each day with free menu including maximum security and health safety for all participants during the celebration. It is expected that businesses and traders would generate profits within the period.

Reuben Omotayo Hopo is Most Senior Evangelist and Assistant Secretary, Steering Committee of Awhangbahun Festival International