Let me begin with a caveat, that this opinion piece isn't meant to castigate the beauty of the concert, but to identify the area of strengths and weaknesses noticed at the concert, which will definitely serve as a guide to the organisers during subsequent editions and others who intend to organise similar event.



If you do not appreciate feedbacks, it will be nice you make use of the BACK button now, as this piece isn't meant for those who are only interested in reading the bright side of the concert and cannot stomach the grey areas.

I wrote something similar to this after the 2016 Luli Concert, you can read it here.

This year's edition which was held in commemorating the platinum anniversary of the church has broken any record of the largest gathering of the number of the church's faithfuls outside that of the christmas gathering in Imeko or Port Novo. It's certain that the organisers of the concert did not envisage a massive turnout, as the event was overwhelmed with celestians and non members.

This nearly rubbished the sitting arrangements that was put in place, as some members had no choice but to look for places to sit, stand and loitered outside the detachable railings used in fencing the perimeter of the arena, which was not the case last year.

A good number of members, both old and young sat on the floor, while others and yours truly, stood throughout the event. It was as if we were punished for attending the concert. Others stood in the aisles, thereby obstructing the view of those seated on the chairs provided. This resulted in the occasional skirmishes between those who sat and those who stood. This is one of the most disappointing and embarrassing aspect of the event.

It is a good idea that mobile toilets were provided for the convenience of attendees, but unfortunately water and tissue papers were insufficient. Also the places they were situated were not well illuminated.

The night was highlighted by the beautiful word and prophetic ministration of Prophet Ekunola Davies. Without doubt he delivered his task perfectly with class. In a similar way, the performances of Kenny K'ore, Mother Celestial Omodudu and Shola Allyson stole the show. The recognition and the financial rain that came the way of Superior Evangelist Wole Adetiran, the director of the Central Choir is worth applauding.

I wrote something similar to this after the 2016 Luli Concert, you can read it here.

In concerts of this nature, the best artiste is saved for the last, so as to make the attendees stay glued to their seats. This was the case at last year's concert, but this year, majority of the attendees were lost as to which artiste is the star artiste of the night. Also, the management of time in this year's edition was far away from the previous edition.

Another plus is the atmosphere of the event was highly liberalised as the performance of the pentecostal praise team was apt, as it gave room for non members to feel at home. Additionally, the presence of Kenny K'ore is worthy of commendation and it will be great to see more notable non celestial musicians perform at the concert.

The display of fireworks added colours to the concert. This was displayed as the theme song of the concert was rendered. Also, the comperes did a beautiful job, but the male compere did almost all of the talking leaving the female compere to look more like a spare tyre with little or no use. This is common in our church, as male comperes always mask out their female counterparts while moderating church programmes. This need to stop.

Furthermore, it will be important for the organisers to have real time feedbacks from attendees of the concert, so as to identify and address issue promptly before they get out of hand. This should be done by stationing protocols officers at strategic position especially at the back and the middle of the arena. The job of these protocols officers is to personally observe and collect issues from the attendees and promptly relate them to a central feedbacks collection centre.

Another aspect of the concert is the failure of the organisers to fulfill the promise of providing free buses to convey members to the venue of the concert. Many intending members were frustrated and stranded at the specific bus location. Many have to go back home.

Just as I noted last year, the partisanship of the concert will continue to be an ugly side of the concert. The truth is, this concert do not need the support of any faction of the church to become a success. Although, Reverend EMF Oshoffa's presence added beauty to the night, but it derided the potential the concert has in unifying our church.

The organisers should have used this year's edition as an avenue to write their names in gold, by putting together an event that will have the presence of all our factional pastors together for the first time in the history of the church, rather they blew the chance away and allowed us to continue wallowing in division as we celebrate the 70th anniversary.

It may interest you that most of the attendees who attended last year's concert felt this year's concert did not meet their expectations, as the first edition was far better than what was witnessed this year. I know a few other people who were at the concert for the first time, they felt discouraged by the stress they went through at the concert.

Despite all these, it is important to note, that for a very long time, celestians will continue to bask in the euphoria they went through at the Luli Concert, as the beauty experience they had will forever last in their memories.



Conclusively, it's pertinent to note that Luli Concert is one of the best thing that has happened to our church in recent times, but if the organisers do not take note of salient issues raised here and other complaints by other faithfuls, this concert will go the way of other big events which came before it.

I wrote something similar to this after the 2016 Luli Concert, you can read it here.

Anjuwon Oluwole is the lead publisher of Celestial Church Blog
Tags: