By Onaolatomirin Falade
In today’s world, it is not uncommon to see people with diverse talents finding alternative means of expression due to the belief that their own talent isn’t enough to present to the world. However, when a man is diligent in what he does, he will stand before kings and not mere men, as the Bible tells us. Talent combined with diligence presents excellence, and excellence is exactly what was presented at Femi Luther Abegunde and Elwoma Luther- Abegunde’s The Witness.
The auditorium of Cornerstone Youth Church, Surulere, Lagos, was the venue on Sunday December, 11, 2016, where Femi Luther-Abegunde pastors a fast growing congregation of youths, as Femi Luther-Abegunde, fondly called FLA, and his wife, Elwoma Luther-Abegunde, a top Nigerian gospel artiste presented to the world, The Witness.
The show comprised of the launching of three books, The Laws of Work, Tools for the Journey and Street Sense for Church Boys, all written by Femi Luther-Abegunde, and rendition of songs by Elwoma Luther-Abegunde from Elwoma’s Diary.
The event took off at 4 pm with a Red Carpet segment where those who witnessed the 2015 edition of The Witness, spoke about the last edition and their expectations for this one. The Red Carpet was expertly handled by Ewoma Oyegwa of the Cool FM fame.
The comedian extraordinaire and compere per excellence was on hand to thrill those in attendance with hearty jokes and witty connotations. After the opening prayer and address, a story of pictures detailing the journey of the Luther-Abegundes was broadcast on a projector screen; from their maiden individual achievements to their latest exploits as a couple.
After the picture story, which was well received, Elwoma took the stage with a powerful musical ministration, which was a gift to music lovers in attendance. Aside the fact that Elwoma currently ranks among the list of top female gospel artistes of the day, her powerful voice washed over the auditorium in a refreshing wave confirming why she is a voice to reckon with.
A review of one of the three books being launched by Femi Luther-Abegunde titled The Laws of Work presented by Olufemi Ibiyemi balanced the previously relaxed atmosphere of the programme. In the review, the audience was given a first taste of what the book is all about. Olufemi Ibiyemi stated that one of man’s major responsibilities on earth was to create a balance.
FLA’s second book, Tools for the Journey, was reviewed by Tolu Afonja, while the third and most favoured book, Street Sense for Church Boys, was reviewed by Samuel Musah. In the review of Street Sense for Church Boys, the reviewer explained that the book points out the error in the mentality of some church folks who allow opportunities slip by them due to “over-spiritualisation” of things and issues.
The three reviews were broken into parts by more musical ministrations by Elwoma and her team whose performance got the audience on their feet in dance. In a chat with FLA, he stated that the witness was a platform for expression for him and his wife. He informed that the platform was also meant to express their God-given talent: his gift of writing and his wife’s musical talent. He informed that the inspiration for The Witness came early 2015 when they both were planning for a book launch and the name which means proof provider was inspired by the need to tell the world that being married does not put an end to one’s talent.
His wife, Elwoma Luther-Abegunde, a pearl among music lovers, in an interview, stated that she and her husband converse a lot, usually about giving back to the society and adding value. She expressed that their synergy was her own inspiration for The Witness.
In all, The Witness was an evening of inspiration and motivation with soul lifting music from Elwoma and cranial art from FLA. Femi and Elwoma Luther-Abegunde is one couple who spend their talent lavishly for the betterment of mankind.