The Experience 2008 concert records huge crowd in Lagos

Pix-(I) Aerial view of the crowd, (II)Pastor Paul Adefarasin flanked by Donnie McLurkin, Don Moen and Fred Hammond at the pre-event briefing

Several thousands of people from within and outside Lagos defied a heavy downpour to be part of the gospel concert tagged The Experience 2008 which held last Friday at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan, Lagos.

According to organizers, this year’s edition which is the third attracted an estimated 330, 000 people from within and outside Lagos and beyond the shores of Nigeria. The TBS main arena as well as the cricket pitch were reportedly filled to capacity by the time the event went full swing.

The event had several international gospel acts such as Don Moen, Donnie McLurkin, Kirk Franklin, Tye Tybrett, Chevelle Franklin, Fred Hammond and the duo of Mary Mary. Also Nigerian gospel acts such as UK Based Muyiwa Olanrewaju as well as music quartet of Midnight Crew and Dekunle Fuji equally proved their mettle.

Compered by respected human resource person and motivational speaker, Fela Durotoye, the concert also witnessed comic relief from multi-talented comedian, Gordons who is a regular feature at the event.

Nigerian acts led by Olanrewaju, Midnight Crew and Dekunle Fuji in quick succession raised the tempo of the night with an inspiring performances. While Midnight Crew confirmed their popularity among the audience with their hits Igwe and Kene, Dekunle Fuji’s less than impressive performance obviously did not go well with the audience. The NMA Best Fuji Musician of the Year had earlier revealed at the pre-event briefing that he had been rehearsing for the past four weeks.

One after the other, the international acts justified the huge expectations on them when some of them, such as Chevelle Franklin and Tye Tibbretts apart from their original songs, sang Nigerian gospel songs while the duo of Mary Mary gave a brilliant rendition of the Nigerian National Anthem.

However, the heavy down pour which began around 2am almost marred the remainder of the event as the sound system provided by foremost sound equipment companies like GQ Acoustics and Meyer Sounds began showing signs of weariness. Artistes such as Don Moen, Donnie McLurkin, Isreal Houton and Kurt Karr could only make brief appearances before the event was eventually called off around 4am when it appeared the rains would not subside.

An obviously overwhelmed duo of Mary Mary could not hide their feelings when they said “America most take note of this gathering that has successfully brought hundreds of thousands of people under one roof from night till dawn.”

Meanwhile, the night was not only about music, as prayers led by Pastor Kole Adeboboye and Amb. Moses Ihonde were also offered for the development of Nigeria and Lagos State just as political leaders in the country and the economy were also committed into the hands of the almighty God.

While promising a better package in the future, Pastor Paul Adefarasin who commended the government of Lagos State said several alternatives such as simulcasting in different locations in the country will be considered.

Personalities who witnessed the event included first ladies of Lagos and Cross River states respectively, Mrs Abimbola Fashola and Mrs Obioma Lyele Imoke, fomer Nigerian first lady, Mrs Victoria Gowon and respected entrepreneur, Gamaliel Onosode and Pat Utomi, a former Presidential aspirant.

Others were Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, President, Pentecostal Federation of Nigeria (PFN), Mrs Hilda Adefarasin, mother of Pastor Paul Adefarasin, as well as siblings, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, Chairman, PFN Lagos chapter and Pastor Yemi Adefarasin.