Veteran gospel musician and preacher Rev. Shola Rotimi has reflected on his remarkable journey to fame, revealing that music was never part of his childhood ambitions. In an interview with Punch Newspapers, the revered gospel minister disclosed that he originally dreamed of becoming a mechanical engineer, but his life took a different direction after what he described as a divine calling into Christian ministry.
Born Rufus Olusola Rotimi on July 17, 1950, in Odo-Owa, Oke-Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State, Rotimi said his musical journey began while serving in the choir of Christ Apostolic Church. Although he initially joined as a drummer, circumstances led him to learn the piano accordion after the church’s choir master left for further studies. According to him, through prayer and dedication, he mastered the instrument within a month and soon became a choir leader.
Rotimi recalled that answering God’s call came with numerous challenges. He recounted surviving an attack by men who threatened his life during an early morning evangelism outreach and also spoke about years of financial hardship, including difficulties funding music production and recovering royalties from marketers. Despite the setbacks, he remained committed to using gospel music as a tool for evangelism and spiritual transformation.
The gospel icon explained that his songs are largely inspired by the Bible, sermons, dreams and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He stressed that gospel music should glorify God, promote righteousness and encourage repentance rather than seek human praise or commercial success. He added that remaining faithful to scripture has shaped his ministry for more than five decades.
Offering advice to aspiring gospel musicians, Rev. Rotimi urged them to cultivate a genuine relationship with God, remain dedicated to their calling and prioritise prayer and fasting. He also revealed that he is currently working to make his classic songs available on digital streaming platforms, ensuring that future generations can continue to benefit from his music and message.
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