Pastor Tobi Adegboyega has explained why secular artists performed at his birthday celebration instead of gospel singers.
During an appearance on the Off The Record podcast, the UK-based clergyman clarified that the performers at the event were his personal friends.
Adegboyega particularly highlighted Nigerian singer Davido, describing him as a gospel artist because of the uplifting nature of his music.
He further elaborated that the artists performed out of goodwill and were not compensated for their appearances.
“Gospel means good news. Everyone there is a gospel artiste. Davido is a gospel artiste. Have you heard: ‘Because I stand strong?’
“What I had then was my friends—friends who are there through thick and thin. Davido told me: ‘I just want to be there and perform for one hour.’
“They’re my friends. I didn’t pay any of them. They love me, and I will give my friends platforms.
“If gospel artistes aren’t my friends and are instead joining the bandwagon to criticize me by asking, ‘Is that a church?’ What should I do? Drag them with a rope?
“It’s my friends that will be there. Everyone in that room was my friend. Zlatan is like a son to me; his kids are my kids, and his parents were in my house.
“So should I now say, ‘Well, because you are not gospel artistes, let me go and look for some gospel artistes who are criticizing me and force them to sing?’
“My friends will always sing at my events, and the next one will be bigger because my circle of friends keeps growing,” he said.