Religion
Testimony Jaga, First Gospel Artiste To Minister At The New African Shrine
Testimony Jaga brought gospel music to Lagos’ New Afrika Shrine during Felabration 2026, creating a striking meeting point between faith and Afrobeat culture
The New Afrika Shrine, one of Nigeria’s most symbolic homes of Afrobeat, became an unexpected meeting point for gospel and contemporary African music as gospel artiste Testimony Jaga took his message of faith to the iconic venue during Felabration 2026.
Also read: Testimony Jaga Marks Birthday With Outreach, Drops New Song “Da Ti E Mo’
Known for his energetic performances and street-oriented approach to gospel music, Jaga delivered a performance that brought together faith, rhythm and Nigerian popular culture, turning the Shrine stage into a platform for a message centred on Jesus Christ.
The appearance represented a striking cultural intersection. The New Afrika Shrine is deeply associated with the legacy of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, the pioneer of Afrobeat whose music challenged social injustice, political repression and inequality.
Felabration, conceived by Fela’s eldest daughter, Yeni Kuti, in 1998, has grown into an annual celebration of his music, ideas and cultural influence.
Against that backdrop, Jaga’s gospel performance offered a different but equally passionate form of social and spiritual expression.
Rather than separating faith from popular culture, Jaga has built his career around taking gospel music beyond conventional church settings.
His Street Gospel Movement combines music and social outreach, with the stated aim of reaching people in places where traditional church structures may not. His performance at the Shrine reflected that philosophy.
Jaga, whose real name is Salau Aliu Olayiwola, has become known for a sound that blends gospel with Fuji, Afrobeats, highlife, R&B and dancehall influences.
His approach has helped position him among a new generation of Nigerian gospel performers who are challenging traditional expectations of what gospel music should sound and look like.
At the Shrine, that musical versatility became particularly significant.
The venue has long represented Afrobeat as more than a genre. It is a cultural institution associated with music, activism, resistance and freedom of expression.
Felabration itself continues that tradition by bringing artists and audiences together for concerts, exhibitions, debates and other cultural activities.
Jaga’s presence introduced another layer to that tradition: gospel as a vehicle for public testimony.
With an energetic stage presence and a repertoire designed to engage audiences beyond the conventional gospel audience, the singer used the occasion to proclaim his Christian faith while remaining firmly rooted in the sounds and performance culture of contemporary Nigeria.
The significance of the performance extended beyond entertainment.
For decades, the Shrine has served as a gathering place where music and ideas intersect. The New Afrika Shrine was established as a continuation of the cultural legacy of Fela Kuti’s original Shrine and has become a central venue for the annual Felabration celebration.
Also read: Testimony Jaga Marks Birthday With Outreach, Drops New Song “Da Ti E Mo’
Jaga’s appearance demonstrated how that cultural space can accommodate different expressions of Nigerian identity.
The Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide, Ayo Ni O, has announced a week-long funeral programme for its late Spiritual Father and Chairman, His Most Eminence Prophet (Dr.) Emmanuel Abiodun Adewale Alogbo, who died on July 30, 2026, at the age of 93.
The Prophet Alogbo burial programme will run from Monday, October 19, to Sunday, October 25, with lying-in-state ceremonies, services of songs, tributes, a wake, funeral service, interment and thanksgiving.
The programme was announced in a statement by the church’s Conference Secretary General, Senior Special Apostle Prophet (Dr.) Anthony Olusesan Samaye, under the direction of the Acting Spiritual Father, Most Senior Special Apostle Pastor (Dr.) Gabriel Olayinka Kassim.
According to the church, the burial planning committee, led by Most Senior Special Apostle Adebisi Adedire, has completed arrangements for the funeral rites.
The Secretary of the committee, Senior Special Apostle Prophet Abiodun Ogunsakin, said the arrangements were aimed at giving the late cleric a befitting burial in recognition of his decades of service to the church and the spread of the gospel.
The activities will involve several Christian organisations and C&S bodies, including the Christian Association of Nigeria, Organisation of African Instituted Churches, Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria, C&S Movement Church Worldwide, Ayo Ni O and New Seraphs.
Funeral Programme
Activities will begin on Monday, October 19, with a family-only lying-in-state at the deceased’s residence from 7am to 10am.
A public viewing will follow at Blue Roof, Lagos Television, LTV 8, Ikeja, from 11am, followed by an interdenominational service of songs at the same venue from noon to 3pm.
On Tuesday, October 20, a day of tributes and service of songs will be anchored by CAN, OAIC and New Seraph. Lying-in-state will begin at 10am, while the service and tributes will hold from noon to 4pm at Blue Roof.
The Wednesday, October 21, programme will be anchored by the C&S Movement Church Worldwide, Ayo Ni O. Lying-in-state will begin at 9am, with the service of songs scheduled for noon to 4pm at Blue Roof.
On Thursday, October 22, the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria will anchor the wake service at Seraphim Land, along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Maba, Ogun State.
Public lying-in-state will hold from 9am to 10.30am, followed by the wake proper from 11am to 3pm.
Friday, October 23, has been designated for the funeral service and interment. The final public lying-in-state will take place at Blue Roof, LTV 8, Ikeja, from 8am to 9.30am.
The funeral service will follow from 10am to 12.30pm, while interment will take place between 1pm and 2pm at the C&S Movement Church, Kingsland District Headquarters, Oko-Oba, Agege, Lagos.
A reception will follow immediately at Blue Roof.
A private family gathering will hold on Saturday, October 24, at a venue to be disclosed to invited guests.
The week-long programme will end on Sunday, October 25, with a thanksgiving service at the C&S Movement Church, Kingsland District Headquarters, Oko-Oba, Agege.
Prophet Alogbo was installed as the sixth Spiritual Father of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church on May 1, 2024. He was subsequently ordained as the fifth Supreme Head, or Olori, of the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church of Nigeria on September 20, 2025.
The church’s official records also identify him as its Spiritual Father and Chairman until his death.
The church described Alogbo as a visionary spiritual leader and composer of sacred music whose ministry spanned more than six decades.
According to the church, he established the first branch of the movement south of the River Niger in 1960 and played a significant role in its growth and expansion.
His death was formally announced by the church on July 30, with the movement describing his transition as the end of a long period of spiritual leadership.
President Bola Tinubu had also expressed condolences following Alogbo’s death, describing him as the Supreme Head of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church Worldwide and the Cherubim and Seraphim Unification Church.
The church has called on members and the public to continue praying for the bereaved family and the church, while giving thanks for the late cleric’s life, ministry and contribution to the growth of the Cherubim and Seraphim movement.
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