Lagos, Nigeria — Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo don raise alarm over Pastor Femi Lazarus wey dey charge fees for him school of ministry, while e dey criticize gospel singers wey dey ask for payment to perform. Dis wahala start when Pastor Lazarus share wetin look like invoice from one artist wey no show him name, during one sermon for Sunday.
Pastor Lazarus talk say, “I want the media to project an invoice for a music minister in Nigeria. E say the minister go come with minimum of forty persons. Dem go return the day after the event. Four male members. Flight go book for both outbound and return journeys. The artist go fly First Class (compulsory). Team go fly economy.”
The invoice mention say minimum of forty accompanying persons go dey with their travel and accommodation covered by di hosting church. E also talk about executive hotel rooms and three-square meals for di minister and him team. An honorarium of $10,000, non-refundable 50% upfront payment, and balance payment two days before di event na also part of di conditions.
Lazarus say, “When dem pay you dis kind money, you gats act drama to justify di amount wey dem pay. You go roll on di floor and scream but people wey sabi God, dem sabi say he no dey there. Many charlatans like dis no dey bill big pastors because dey dey use dem for endorsement.”
For response to people wey dey talk say gospel artists like Nathaniel Bassey no dey charge because people don sabi dem worth, Lazarus reply, “There is honour that growth brings, there’s honour that God puts on you. You can’t demand such without growing. Nathaniel Bassey don sabi wetin e worth because e no demand am. Na God put dat honour.”
Dakolo come jump enter di matter, take to Instagram on Monday to question Lazarus’ claims and ask am to name di artist wey dey collect di money. In one post wey he don delete, Dakolo tell Nigerians say make dem be careful about wetin dem dey believe, stating, “Nobody get 40-man crew for Nigeria. Name di artist. Make we know di truth.” He also post screenshots of emails from Lazarus’ International School of Ministry wey dey charge students $150 per person.
Dakolo criticize di pastor for charging fees to teach ministry, saying, “By your definition, if anybody dey charge to minister, dem no be gospel artists but performers. And by dat definition, if any preacher dey charge to teach and minister, dem dey be merchants of hope and motivational speakers too.”
“Sir, you dey charge as low as 150 dollars per person for your school of ministry. Teaching and preaching Jesus. You fit get as much as 1000 students. Make we do di maths. You even get premium and standard for God house?” he asked.
This no be di first time wey Dakolo dey challenge Lazarus’ position on wetin gospel musicians dey charge for performances. Earlier for March, he talk say dis kind talk don dey vex am, as he dey defend gospel artists’ rights to collect money for wetin dem do. “Dis gaslighting gats stop. Gospel ministers wan better things too, dem no be beggars. Di best architects dey come build big churches, plenty money dey dey spend to promote big programs. No one suppose diminish another person’s ministry. Ministry need music and music need ministry,” he reportedly state at di time.
