“IN HIS PRESENCE” WITH BASKETMOUTH AND AKPORORO

At 9:42 pm, there were about 70 people already seated in the auditorium of the St. Joseph Chosen Church of God International, known for their powerful slogan ‘Gateway to heaven’, the program actually depicted it. The church building and environs of the church premises was filled with people to the extent that the tankers

carrying petroleum products were stuck in traffic. Church members and invitees who didn’t make it before 11:26 pm sat on the chairs prepared for them outside. There were about 400 people in attendance.

A soft tune of Christian gospel music was played on the background. Not forgetting the registration point at the entrance of the church where everyone put down their names and phone numbers. Also noticeable was the security men positioned at strategic points to prevent terrestrial attacks. The beef up of security was speculated to be because top celebrities in the country were going to be present at the event. It will be fun as he will get to see almost all his school mates, neighbors and elders in his former hood. Someone who sat behind me heard when children were shouting for joy and asked in surprise “is bright Okporaocha here?”

Red carpet session was also included in the flyer but it didn't take place. The program finally commenced at 10:50pm with the Triumphant Voice Choir mounting the podium to render a beautiful song to the glory of the Lord. There was glorious joy among the people, they were so happy and it showed by the different sounds they made at will whenever there was something said and done to their amazement.

According to the advertisement posted on banners, social media networks and printed flyers, the program time was indeed obeyed by those who got the invitation; we speculate they all thought Basketmouth aka Bright Okporaocha will be at the event before it started. It was hilarious as the popular comedian and Kirikiri brought up did not show up until 12:54am. The moment it was mentioned that basket mouth is in the house, there was a shout of joy and everyone looked around to see his face, behold there he was coming in through the side door and camera’s began their only job.

He walked in majestically with his entourage, Akpororo. Also with him was some he introduced as his partner.  Literarily the program started because the popular comedian was with the congregation in the presence of God and also in the presence of many people he grew up with.

The question still remains: did people attend the program titled ... ‘In his presence’ or did they come to see the act and listen to Basketmouth do what he knows how to do best? We will soon know.

Church choir in attendance were; New Experience Voices from Church of God Mission Kirikiri, The Glorious Voice, Brother Paul Nwakocha, Chosen Generation Choir, Signature, Jfame, Etim and a host of all other churches and individual.

About 1:29 am, the crowd outside was massive. There was about 85 people seated and standing respectively. Some of them were connected to what was going on in the hall while some others were busy laughing and chatting among themselves. There was a screen outside projecting what the event inside.

There was an amazing worship session. I must not fail to let us know that the NEPA A.K.A PHCN did what they know how to do best and what they have been doing before we were all born,” NEPA took the light” But the hall was lively due to the screams and shouts made by the congregation. We didn't actually feel the 30 minutes it took for the technical crew to put on the generator. No protocol observed. In this twenty minutes praise was rendered in the deeper life manner without instrumentals. People whispered "wetin dey happen, them no test the generator for afternoon".

 The generator went bad, when the generator site was visited, it was filled up with people who all put heads to make it work. After repair, the battery ran down and someone "asked them no fit push the gen make e on". Finally the generator kicked and the people shouted " eaaaahh". It took 30 minutes for the technical problem to be resolved by professionals on grounds.

Basket mouth did something different by talking mainly of his history when he started his life. He added that he turned 35 last week. He urged the young people to dream because he dreamt he was once a president of Nigeria. He said that St. Joseph Chosen Church of God is bigger than having technical problems for generator and he proposed to buy a new generator for the church.

Someone named Ogbonna gave his testimony about the head of the church when he paid his fees a certain year and now he is a graduate of psychology. He also urged people to give and sow seed in people’s life.

Akpororo was also called to the podium to do what he knows how to do best, but this time he presented his own song and said that his album will soon be out. He sang for about 30 minutes, but the people thought it was comedy. They didn't dance, he danced all the steps he knew but the people were not moved. There is a special anointing for everyone, for Akpororo, definitely not singing.

The unimaginable happened when Basketmouth and Akpororo were about to take their leave in their different jeeps, the youths of Kirikiri who refused to raise their standard- I call them (about to be sensitized) youths. They actually ambushed the cars of these celebrities and said in loud tones "they must pay" "Basketmouth go no us today". The celebrities drove off with speed and almost hit the ‘about to be sensitized’ youths with their cars. Of course they all ran for their lives. Their plan didn't work and they murmured among themselves "na wa o".

Not forgetting that they actually stayed at a corner in front of the church to take Indian hemp before carrying out such despicable act. It pained my heart to know their plans and see it carried out but I was happy they didn't prevail. Will basket mouth ever honor an invitation coming from Kirikiri town again? What about his colleague Akpororo who was here for the first time, what will he say about Kirikiri town?

These celebrities actually honored this invitation because of his pastor and his former church members. Also because of the love he has for Kirikiri town. You reading this news today should not give up in the fight about upgrading standards of Kirikiri town because such incidents must happen for change to occur.  Let us keep sensitizing ourselves on what love really means. Let love exist among us whatever happens, we must love ourselves. Very soon those youth who are about to be upgraded will be and Kirikiri tow will be a town to behold. It is just a matter of time.