Catholic priest turns Afro pop singer

By Benjamin Njoku
UK-based Catholic priest, Fr. Albert Owie Ofere from Diocese of Warri, Delta State is on the way to write his name in gold, as he delves into music to further propagate the gospel of salvation to humanity.
Fr. Ofere’s debut album, “Every Day of My Life”, which has a collection of six tracks: God Dey My Side, When I Think, Where Were You, Jesus Lamb of God, God You are Good and “Oghene me Do” is a fusion of Afro pop and gospel music.
He becomes the second catholic priest to delve into music after Fr. Ejike Mbaka of the Adoration Ministry, Enugu.
As a priest, Fr. Ofere said, “ I love singing and listening to music”, adding “while working in the UK as the Chaplain to the Nigerian Catholics in England and Wales, my love for music developed even more. I like to sing, music is part of the family, it’s always been in the genes.”
Explaining why he decided to do Afro pop, Ofere said, “It’s because many people like to dance to Afro pop music and using it to glorify God would help to win more souls for Him.”
Singing was something Fr. Ofere started doing when he “was a child” He admits that music runs in their family. “My dad was once a choirmaster. His younger brother, Fr. Richard Ofere who is now a Catholic priest in the Archdiocese of Benin sings a lot too. In fact, he was a choirmaster in the seminary. I never joined the choir but I was occasionally invited to lead some songs or choruses in my seminary choir. As a deacon, I sang a lot in Sacred Heart Cathedral Warri.”
Ofere who was ordained in 2001, as a priest, said, he’s not doing music because of what he would gain from it. Rather, “It’s something I love doing.” He also revealed that his priesthood would ever come first before his love for music.
Ofere has enlisted the services of award – winning director, Obi Emelonye and renowned comedian, Nkem Owoh who collaborated for a musical video that is currently trending on You Tube.
The video which captures the essence of the sing-along tune was shot on locations in London, UK.” The songs are currently available online at iTunes, Amazon and CD Baby
Ordained in 2001, as a priest, Fr Ofere is currently pastoring in a parish in London. He was the former Chaplain to the Nigerian Catholics in England & Wales.

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