Connect with us

Culture

Zambians celebrate late gospel artiste Matthew Ngosa in churches and pubs

Published

on

Zambian music artistes and entertainers have been celebrating the life and times of popular gospel singer, Matthew Ngosa, who passed on last week from liver cancer in churches and clubs around the country.

Some of the country’s top musicians on Sunday performed at a concert to mourn the 46-year-old Ngosa a day before his burial in the capital, Lusaka.

According to local media, adoring audience joined the concerts to belt out his beloved hits at the Praise Christian Centre, with the musical jamboree shifting to nightclubs and pubs where his popular songs were played to mark Ngosa’s over a two-decade career.

“The venue in Lusaka was packed with fans, friends, family and government officials,” a media report said.

“His older brother Boyd, also a musician – popularly known as BJ – led mourners.

“Matthew started out singing with BJ and his younger brother Hezron when they were still at high school, often singing a cappella.

“They knew they wanted to make a career out of their music – not an easy ambition in a country where piracy means most musicians get little money from their music.

“Matthew and Hezron formed a duo called The Ezma Brothers within a larger group known as The Tribe Called Christians.

“Later, at Lusaka’s Northmead Assemblies of God Church, Matthew joined The Christ Ambassador Choir, where he polished his skills.

“In 2004 he released his highly successful debut album Umutima Wandi (My Heart), which dominated music charts.

“Gospel hits including Ukulolela (Waiting) and Ndakunkula (Rolling to God in Praise) followed – those two also becoming anthems for clubbers.

Matthew Ngosa never made it rich, but was able to make a decent living from his hits before he was diagnosed with liver cancer in January.

“He died two days before he had been due to return to India for a check-up,” the report added.

His brother, Hezron, who spoke to journalists, said told he would miss his brother’s sense of humour.

“He would go out of his way to make people happy. He was very strong even in sickness. He was a man of faith.”

Another top gospel musician, Kings Mumbi, said:

“To me, he was a mentor. When I recorded my first song, I took it to him to critique and that’s why I have never gone astray. He was more than a brother.

“When a pastor invited Matthew Ngosa to their church to sing but couldn’t pay him, he would not bother that pastor because for Matthew, singing was part of his ministry. He took it as a way of spreading the word of God.”

President Hakainde Hichilema also conveyed his message of condolences to the family while his predecessor Edgar Lungu visited the funeral house on Saturday.

Ngosa, who had two daughters with Tasila Ngombe, once served as a civic leader in Mr Lungu’s party, the Patriotic Front.

Culture

Please forgive me, I’m now a child of God,’— Nigerian singer Portable begs for slapping pastor (Video)

Published

on

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okiliola, popularly known as Portable, has pleaded for forgiveness following an incident where he allegedly slapped a pastor who went to preach at his bar.

The drama was ignited last week on Monday, September 9, when the street-wise singer was seen in a viral video slapping a man of God who had gone to preach at his bar in the Sango area of Ogun State.

The incident generated a lot of criticism from Nigerians including fellow pastors with some giving Portable an ultimatum to apologize or face their wrath.

In an apparent turn around, the street-pop Monday, tendered an apology and begged for forgiveness from the pastor and Nigerians in general.

Making the apology in a video the singer explained that he attacked the preacher because he thought he was there to cause him spiritual harm.

While begging God for forgiveness, Portable said:

“My fans, community issues are different from that of the street. May God forgive me. I didn’t know he was a genuine man of God. If I knew I wouldn’t have slapped him.

“I’m also a child of God. I’m human, I’m not perfect. I am an orphan. They have harmed my sister through this same strategy,” he said.

Watch the video below:
‘Please forgive me, I’m now a child of God,’ –Nigerian singer Portable begs for slapping pastor (Video)

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okiliola, popularly known as Portable, has pleaded for forgiveness following an incident where he allegedly slapped a pastor who went to preach at his bar.

The drama was ignited last week on Monday, September 9, when the street-wise singer was seen in a viral video slapping a man of God who had gone to preach at his bar in the Sango area of Ogun State.

The incident generated a lot of criticism from Nigerians including fellow pastors with some giving Portable an ultimatum to apologize or face their wrath.

In an apparent turn around, the street-pop Monday, tendered an apology and begged for forgiveness from the pastor and Nigerians in general.

Making the apology in a video the singer explained that he attacked the preacher because he thought he was there to cause him spiritual harm.

While begging God for forgiveness, Portable said:

“My fans, community issues are different from that of the street. May God forgive me. I didn’t know he was a genuine man of God. If I knew I wouldn’t have slapped him.

“I’m also a child of God. I’m human, I’m not perfect. I am an orphan. They have harmed my sister through this same strategy,” he said.

Watch the video below:

https://x.com/TeniolaYBNL/status/1835560801693823300

Continue Reading

Culture

World-famous Sierra Leonean ballerina Michaela DePrince dies at 29

Published

on

World-famous Sierra Leone-born ballerina, Michaela DePrince, has died at the young age of 29.

A statement released by her family said DePrince who was the principal soloist at Boston Ballet, passed away on Friday.

“With pain in our hearts, we share the loss of star ballerina Michaela Mabinty DePrince, whose artistry touched countless hearts and whose spirit inspired many, leaving an indelible mark on the world of ballet, and beyond,” the statement said.

“Her life was one defined by grace, purpose, and strength. Her unwavering commitment to her art, her humanitarian efforts, and her courage in overcoming unimaginable challenges will forever inspire us.

“She stood as a beacon of hope for many, showing that no matter the obstacles, beauty and greatness can rise from the darkest of places. Though her time with us was far too brief, her brilliance and legacy will continue to shine in the hearts of all who were touched by her story, for generations to come. Love and prayers go to her chosen family, friends, and those who loved her.”

Born Mabinty Bangura in Kenema, Sierra Leone, in 1995, DePrince lost both parents tragically died in the country’s civil war and was adopted by an American family at the age of four.

In various interactions with the media, DePrince had credited her years in an orphanage, where she found a magazine featuring the photo of a ballerina, as what led her on the path to becoming a professional dancer.

DePrince grew up in an orphanage, where she was cruelly mistreated and mocked for her vitiligo.

“They thought of me as a devil’s child. They told me every day how I wasn’t going to get adopted because nobody would want a devil’s child,” she told the BBC in 2012.

However, she and another girl named Mabinty, who now goes by Mia, were adopted by Elaine and Charles DePrince in New Jersey in 1999.

DePrince became a world star and barrier-breaking ballerina after appearing on “Dancing With the Stars” and in Beyoncé’s “Lemonade” film when she was just 17.

After fixating on an image of a ballerina in a magazine, DePrince enrolled in ballet school in Philadelphia and performed at the Youth America Grand Prix. She was one of six primary subjects in the 2011 documentary First Position, trained at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School of Ballet in New York, and appeared in an episode of Dancing With the Stars the same year.

She went on to join the Dutch National Ballet’s junior company and later became second soloist for the Boston Ballet.

She rose to fame after graduating from high school and made history as the youngest principal dancer at the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

A dedicated humanitarian, DePrince also advocated for children affected by conflict and violence.

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Metro1 hour ago

How media training can build a resilient culture of free speech in Zambia

In a democratic country like Zambia, a free and independent media is essential for holding those in power accountable, promoting...

Culture2 hours ago

Please forgive me, I’m now a child of God,’— Nigerian singer Portable begs for slapping pastor (Video)

Controversial Nigerian singer, Habeeb Okiliola, popularly known as Portable, has pleaded for forgiveness following an incident where he allegedly slapped...

Sports2 hours ago

Kenya’s female athletes maintain Diamond League dominance

Kenya’s female athletes have continued to prove their dominance at the Diamond League final in Brussels, Belgium, as they have...

VenturesNow3 hours ago

Ezz al-Arab appointed as Egypt’s CIB chairman

Commercial International Bank (CIB), Egypt’s largest private bank, announced on Monday that long-time chairman and previous CEO Hisham Ezz al-Arab...

VenturesNow3 hours ago

Nigerian inflation falls again, drops to 32.15% in August

Nigeria’s August inflation rate declined for a second month to 32.15% from 33.40% in July, the statistics office reported on...

Behind the News5 hours ago

Behind the News: All the backstories to our major news this week

Over the past week, there were many important stories from around the African continent, and we served you some of...

Politics6 hours ago

Tunisian court mandates electoral commission to reinstate presidential contenders

The highest court in Tunisia has issued an order requiring the electoral commission to re-enter two candidates for an October...

Politics6 hours ago

Under their new coalition, Mali, Burkina, Niger to launch biometric passports

As part of their departure from the West African bloc in favour of a new Sahel alliance, military authorities in...

VenturesNow8 hours ago

Uganda Airlines starts direct routes from Nigeria

  Uganda Airlines has begun offering direct service to Entebbe, located in central Uganda, from Abuja, Nigeria’s capital. According to...

Metro9 hours ago

‘Expect more protests, I am not afraid of Tinubu’, Nigerian activist blows hot after airport arrest

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election, Omoyele Sowore, has vowed that despite...

Trending