The much anticipated Lagos@50 Praise Concert slated for 25 May may have hit the rock, with mass withdrawal of artistes penciled to perform at the event.
P.M.EXPRESS gathered that artistes started withdrawing from the event due to what many of them tagged improper briefing about the concert and use of their photographs on the handbill without due consultation.
It was learnt that some believe that the approach of the organizers is against professional conduct and norms
Speaking on the issue, Ekpeyoung Bassey Okon of Karis Band and one of the artistes billed for the show said, “the arrangement is fraud because they only called me on phone and I rejected the offer totally, only to see my photograph in their handbills.”
Also, others have started having a rethink about their involvement in the concert.
“We are only seeing our faces on the handbill without any proper information about it, but I can assure you that the concert is dead on arrival,” one of the aggrieved artistes declared
For the Governor of Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria, Lagos State Chapter, Apostle Raphael Babalola, “the organisers are only playing God. How can they come up with a concept and powered it with All Lagos based Gospel Artistes? This is fraud and it will not stand. They should go back to their root”.
Other gospel artistes that also condemned the organisers’ action including Pastor Adelakun Ayewa who advised them to return to GOMAN before planning such programme
While investigation revealed that King Sunny Ade may not likely be at the event because of his engagement in Abuja during the period, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi has advised on the need for them to do the needful to have a successful programme.
The event, it was gathered is being put together by Evangelist Dunni Olanrewaju, Opelope Anointing, who has voluntarily withdrew her membership of GOMAN.