GOMAN PRESIDENT DR. FUNMI ARAGBAYE CELEBRATES 66 YEARS-

It was celebration galore on Sunday July 5, 2020 when all members of the Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN) nationwide came together online and offline to celebrate one of their own and the first official member of the association, in person of a no less person than the president in council, Dr. (Mrs) Evangelist Veronica Funmilayo Aragbaye.

The celebration which had a number of items on the programme featured an online broadcast interview on the Ibadan based radio station Lagelu FM to celebrate the musician and a spiritual icon, before it was rounded off with a reception later at Mauve 21 Event Hall, Adeoyo Round-about, Ring Road in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

At the reception were also spiritual fathers and leaders in the gospel who were there to grace the occasion physically and spiritually to bless the celebrant. In a report monitored by PTLNews, sighted at the colourful celebration were the President of Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide, Pastor Abraham Olukunle Akinosun, Rev. P. F. Owa and various leaders, and governors of GOMAN from the states. List of the distinguished guests included Prof Yemi Farounbi and Evang. Toun Soetan. Another important aspect of the modest celebration was the use of the social media by various members of GOMAN to celebrate their President.

In their various tributes, accolades and inspiring encomiums were poured on the celebrant from different quarters to celebrate a visionary, selfless, and committed leader of the Nigerian gospel musicians.

In the words of Canon Gboyega Babayeju, the General Secretary of the association, celebrating the colosus at 66 was just a way of expressing their love to her amazing personality.

He wrote,” your emergence as the president of GOMAN has, positioned our beloved association to limelight,” as he appreciated her for imbeding her personality into the affairs of GOMAN. Alluding to her generosity, openness and toughness, the General Secretary said within those attributes were the secrets of the celebrant’s success, saying, “you are tough yes, but only on odds, and twhen the agenda is clear, you are an encourager.”

Coutinuing he added, “thank you for tolerating our excesses as well as the challenges attached to being the president of GOMAN,” praying “you have started well and with God being on your side you surely must end well and achieve more monumental fleets.”

There were other congratulatory and goodwill messages from governors and other members of the association across the states.

The celebrant, a fashionable and God fearing personality was born in Ondo on July 15, 1954. She was inspired to sing in the 70s through the global impact of the world renowned ECWA Choir. She developed her musical career and ministry in the 80s and she has been used by God to wax a number of chart bursting gospel numbers to her credit.

Among these are Olorun Igbala, Sioni, Emi Orun Sokale, Mo Gbo Ipe Olorun, A gbe O Ga, Ipin Rere and a number of other hits. She was married to Owo born late Elder John Bola Aragbaiye and they are blessed with wonderful children and grand children.