My people, na heavy news wey dey ground! Legendary American gospel singer and worship leader, Ron Kenoly, don waka enter glory at di age of 81. E pass away for February 3, 2026, and na im music director, Bruno Miranda, confirm di matter for im Instagram. This one hit hard for di gospel community.
Ron Kenoly no be just an ordinary musician. Na person wey use im voice and songs change di game for worship music. Dem sabi am well well for im energetic praise songs wey create dat sweet experience to feel God’s presence. Him career don inspire plenty pastors and musicians dem all over di world, especially for Naija.
Baba Kenoly, wey born on December 6, 1944, for Coffeyville, Kansas, start im music waka way back. E no start as gospel artist o! Na first as R&B artist and later join di Air Force before im enter di worship ministry for di 1980s. People no go ever forget songs like “Jesus Is Alive” and “Sing Out” wey don become anthem for churches worldwide.
For im last post on Instagram on February 1, dem see am dey appreciate all di people wey support im ministry for over 40 years. E talk say, “I be 81 and in my 48th year of ministry. Dis na some of dose wey help me get to ova 123 nations around di world.” E really show person wey sabi wetin e dey talk about ministry.
Im wife, Tavita, wey e marry since 42 years, dey by im side all di time, helping am and singing on tracks like “Lord I Magnify.” Dem raise three fine boys together: Samuel, Ronald, and Tony. Na true love and support dem show each other throughout dem long journey.
Nobody fit talk about Ron without mentioning di strong impact wey e don make. Him songs dey inspire hope and joy, as e motivate worshippers to connect with di divine. For di past 40 years, he don touch di lives of many people. Nay na for Instagram, Bruno Miranda describe Kenoly as a true worship leader, no be just artist or entertainer.
Plenty tributes don dey pour in as di news don break. Nigerian Bishop Wale Oke also express im sadness, call Kenoly “a man of humility, a vessel of grace, and a true worshipper.” Dis kind words dey show how e touch lives globally.
Oda gospel ministers like Nathaniel Bassey and Dunsin Oyekan don also share dia heartfelt tributes, praising di legacy wey Kenoly don leave behind. E dey clear say e life na model for many aspiring worship leaders and gospel singers.
As we dey mourn am, no forget say im spirit-filled songs go still dey echo across generations. Di impact no go ever fade. In fact, e don sell over 60 million albums, making am a giant for di gospel music industry.
For everyone wey dey miss Ron Kenoly, we gatz remember say di worship wey he live na di worship wey he now dey behold. E go forever remain in our hearts. Rest in peace, baba!
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