By Akeem Busari
It was a night of fun, glitz, glamour and soul-lifting urban gospel music for the over 6,000 students, who attended the opening show of the first edition of the much-anticipated ‘Xpression With CDO Campus Tour’, held March 31,2023, at the Amphitheater of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Nigeria.
Several urban gospel musicians, including Moses Bliss, Mike Abdul, Testimony Jaga, Protek, and Gaise Baba, accompanied CDO on this tour. Other artists such as Timi Phoenix, Bouphy, Fidoclef, Mendo Ayo, and Fega Michaels also graced the stage with their performances. Mike Abdul got the show started with his classic hits, setting the mood for the Jesus Party that was about to begin. This was followed by Timi Phoenix organized a dance-off and prize giveaways for the students. CDO shared his story and performed songs from his Album of the Year, paving the way for Moses Bliss to bring the night to a close with his chart-topping hits.
Aside from the electrifying performances, there were also side attractions such as a rap battle between students and a raffle draw. Winners went home with gift items from Boomplay, Dreamworks, and Belloxxi.
Speaking after the successful show, John CDO Ikeotuonye, also fondly known as CDO, who is the convener of the Afro-Gospel Movement, expressed gratitude to God for the success of the show. He described the attendance as massive and overwhelming.
“The attendance was massive and overwhelming. We prayed for a great turnout, and God answered by sending us everyone we needed to fill up and overflow the venue to the glory of God,” he began.
CDO who also performed and thrilled the crowd on the night with songs from his album on the night, remarked that the night wasn’t about him.
“I actually did perform a few songs, though I had to stop before my last performance because of time and we wanted to see Moses Bliss before the curfew started. But the Xpression With CDO, is not about my performances, it’s more about our testimony and then hosting other artistes and giving them the platform to minister. I’m am usually reluctant to perform at the Xpression With CDO. Going forward, I’ll do more of praising God with every one and sharing my testimony.”
He went on to explain that the Xpression With CDO, is an assignment given by God. Adding that it is also a platform to further the preach the gospel, through urban gospel music.
“If I may say, it is us taking the gospel through entertainment to where the gospel rightfully belong, in the world. God has brought us out of the darkness, equipped us and sending us back as light, to shine in that same darkness.”
Ahead of the movement of the train of Xpression With CDO Campus Tour to other tertiary institutions across the country, CDO, also reiterated that the platform is for everyone who can make use of it.
“I like innovation, I like new things, I like opportunities, especially creating them. The platform is for anyone God allows to use it. What is important is the assignment,” he added conclusively.
