A Nigerian gospel singer and former President of the Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria, Dr Bola Are, on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at the Jogor Center celebrated her 50 years jubilee anniversary on stage.
Speaking after her short documentary, the celebrant who had produced over 70 albums said that she was born as a prophetess adding that she started prophesying at age two.
She said that her parents informed her that she warned them against certain things and they were punished for not heeding her warning.
According to her, when she was younger, she warned her mother not to go to Aramoko Market to sell but she refused and consequently, rain destroyed her wares.
She also narrated how a tree fell on her father’s leg on the farm and broke his leg, saying that the accident would have been averted if her father had heeded her warning of not going to the farm that day.
“After the incidents, whenever my parents wanted to go somewhere, they would come and ask me if they should go or not. There was a day I was angry for them coming to me to ask whether they should go out or not because it was me, their daughter that supposed to get permission from them before doing anything. But they told me that they were doing that because they know that I have the spirit of God and God speaks to me”, she stated.
At the event, notable Nigerian gospel singers took turns to perform and treated the attendees to sonorous spirit-filled Christian songs.
Among the gospel singers who performed at the occasion are Evangelist Dr Funmi Aragbaiye, Yinka Aleseyori, Bukky Sewele-Jesu, Ayo Ajewole, alias Woli Agba, Kemi Rehoboth, Elijah Akintunde alias Olorun ko sobe, Sade Taiwo, Prophetess Bisi Alawiye-Aluko, Bukola Akinade, Esther Igbekele and Bola Discovery.
Also in attendance are Bayegun Oluwatoyin alias Woli Arole, Bose Super, Big Bolaji, Prophetess Esther Ajayi, Prophetess Titilayo Oluduro of Calvary Revelation Church, Oyo, Rev and Pastor Bola Longe, and Rev Kehinde Alabi.
Chairman, Yes Fm, Ibadan, Yemi Sonde, Engr. Taiwo Quadri, Ambassador Rhoda Oluwatoberu Makinde, an ace broadcaster, Kola Olotu, and the wife of Atuluse of Ondo Kingdom, Honourable Dr Chief Abiola Peter Makinde were also in attendance.
Prophet Ade Ologbonyo coordinated donations for the celebrant.
Bola Are was born on October 1, 1954, in Erio town in Ekiti-West local government, Ekiti State to the Elder Babayomi and Mrs T. A. Babayomi.
She was brought up by four major prophets in Christ Apostolic Church – Apostle Ayodele Babalola, Prophet Babajide, Prophet Akande and Prophet T.O. Obadare. She spent most of her time on the mountain and received her inspiration from the holy spirit.
She attended Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Primary school, Erio, after which she proceeded to Christ Apostolic Church Grammar School, Efon Alaye, Ekiti. She also attended The Polytechnic, Ibadan, where she obtained a diploma certificate in accounting and in July 1985, she was awarded an honorary doctorate degree in Music at St John’s University, a private Roman Catholic University situated in Queens, New York City, United States of America.
