Page 59 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 2

ISSUE TWO | SEPT/OCT
Wale Owikoh

NIGERIAN GOSPEL MINISTER, PIANIST & ORGANIST
By: Chioma Phillips
Obviously, from listening to his music, you will instantly know that Wale is a master at
playing the piano and the organ. But he is one who never prides himself as good with these
instruments. In a Whatsapp chat, Chioma Phillips had a lively and fun-filled interview with
Wale. He shares about his walk with God, walking away from home as a teenager and the
journey to finding his place in God, making choices that are not common. Please read on.

Please tell us about yourself however by the next day noon I KNOW THE LORD. I repeat KNOW
Wale Owikoh: Wale Israel Jr. was out of the house already, with THE LORD and every other thing
Owikoh, A Missionary, Jazz Pianist/ every single bit of my tiny (hah- is settled. God gave me the grace
Organist, Writer and a preacher hah) belongings. At this step, I was and is still with me to really know
of the Gospel. Married, blessed all of a sudden stuck as to really Him for myself, not what I heard
with four great seeds (Children). know where to go because all I or what someone said about Him.
The president and chief servant at heard was leave the house, never But He by His Holy Spirit through it
Alleluia Music Ministries Intl, HQ. clear what was up next nor where all has revealed Himself to me and
Abuja. to go next. So I roam a little within that fixes every bit.
the city of Lagos until I got the final
Please tell us how you got blow that kicked me out finally. You define yourself as organist/
started in music pianist. Kindly, what is the
Wale: I began playing the piano at That’s interesting. So you ended difference?
an early age, as a child, afterwards, up leaving Lagos as well? Wale: Professional musicians do
I joined numerous teams and Wale: Yes, finally. understand that. This is it; the piano
choirs at different times over the is quite different from the organ.
years, to express and expound Where did the journey of Yes they are both played almost
the gift of God within. I also built obedience end up taking you? same way, just that the techniques
up a studio which is still open till Wale: The end of the journey? and approach are different and
date for recording and rehearsing (laughs) I haven’t completely begun thus a pianist does not necessarily
purposes, which really did gave yet and yes thus far it has been know how to fully handle the organ
me the opportunity to discover beyond calculation. I remember and its mechanisms.
hidden and great creative abilities the many nights of hunger, cold,
shut within. homelessness, abuse, rejection, But you have mastered both.
multiple disappointments and now Are you entirely self-taught?
Have you always had a walk it really seems to be like none of Wale: Mastered? (hahah) Still
with God? those ever happened, as much growing withal. I am largely Spirit
Wale: Yes...by God’s grace. of the strain has been cleared taught.
off. We (My Family) live in our
Please tell us about that journey. private house now in the FCT, I have listened to your music
Wale: I was still living with my by His grace, we own properties online, and your sound is
parents and a teenager at the here, we are running ministerial clearly different from what you
time going through High School. assignments side-by-side with generally get in Nigeria and
Suddenly, one morning after a gospel sermon publications and Afrika. Please tell us about that.
few early morning house chores, music reaching countless people Wale: Again comes in the saying, I
I heard a voice say to me, “You across the globe. We are just was built by the hand of the Creator
will have to leave your father’s beginning. to do these things, of which I can
house now.” It was audible, take no credit over neither can I
strong and precise. I never had I’m sure that time of challenge explain how I arrived here in my
the premonition to do such at the was intended to produce much words. Largely Spirit taught.
time, as I was still making plans fruit in your life. What can you
to establish myself and do quite a say you learnt and how does it Did you ever get tempted to try
whole lot career wise. I can’t figure sustain you now? out a style different from the
how it all played out eventually, Wale: One major point here is one He was showing you?
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