Chinenye John Oluoma, the Catholic priest fondly called Fada Oluoma, has claimed Mercy Chinwo, the gospel singer, now charges N10 million to perform in churches.
Speaking during one of his sermons, Fada Oluoma argued that religious worship sessions are now expensive and have been turned into entertainment.
Making reference to Chinwo, the cleric wondered why gospel musicians now demand exorbitant fees to perform in a place of worship.
Fada Oluoma also asked his congregation if it was right to collect such fees from them to pay a popular gospel artiste.
“We have made religious worship expensive. If I have to bring Mercy Chinwo here to this church now you will like it. How much will I have to pay her? How much does a gospel artiste of Mercy Chinwo status charge to come to an event or a church? How much do you think she will collect? It has reached N10 million,” he said.
“So I will now collect money from you people. If Okojie sings ‘Jesus you love me too much o’, so Jesus no go love you too much until it is Mercy Chinwo that will sing it? Then I will have to collect the money from church members to pay her.
“These are the trajectories that we have turned Christianity into. An artiste will come to church and lead praise worship for N10 million, N5 million. So, if that particular artiste does not sing ‘Jesus you love me too much’ that means Jesus no love you too much?
“Some people are asking ‘Should they be paid? Why won’t you pay them? If you must bring them, you must pay them. What you are bringing them for is entertainment. We have turned worship into entertainment. We are copying the world.”
The singer is yet to react to Oluoma’s claim — as of the time of this report.
Since winning the second season of the Nigerian Idol, Chinwo has continued to enjoy fame in the country’s gospel music scene.
She has worked with an avalanche of singers including Nathaniel Bassey, Chioma Jesus, Banky W, Joe Praize, Samsong, and Moses Bliss, among others.
In April, the 32-year-old singer released her six-track EP titled ‘Elevated’.
Copyright 2024 TheCable. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from TheCable.
Follow us on twitter @Thecablestyle