Conversation with Osene Ighodaro

On our Christmas edition of Conversations, we are having a moment with the anointed worshiper, Pastor Osene Ighodaro. What can I say about her? She has been unique and extraordinary in her anointing, as she has touched and affected lives all over the world

I’m excited to be having this Conversation with you. Where do we begin? LOL. For those who are being introduced to you, your anointing and your ministry, who would you say Osene Ighodaro is?

Hi, hmm I will say a God lover, wife, mother, psalmist, singer….

Your voice has literally touched lives. The first time I heard you sing, I was mesmerized. What would you list among your influences that has helped define you as a singer and artist?

What not who?....

I will say a personal conviction of what and why I do what I do, comfortable in my own personal expression and unique God given ability (anointing) and my song being my “voice”

As a professional artist, you’ve released multiple recordings, but one of them is timeless, especially in this season we are in. Why did you decide to record a Christmas carol cd?

This Holiday happens to be one of my favorites and I grew up singing about a white Christmas decades before I saw my first snow LOL We had these elaborate services at CGMI I looked forward to them and started digging deep into all the season and celebrations involved.

("Osene at Christmas" is a her interpretation of Christmas classics sung as only her can sing it. And it is available on iTunes and cdbaby - a very special gift to get this season)

You have a unique version of Hark the Herald. What inspired it, and how did you make it so…….unique?

I was singing the hymn decades ago (smile) and I fell in love with the 3^rd verse and made me love it even more because Christ came so we can be born a second birth. This is what delvers us from the kingdom of darkness into life. For me to see redemption connected to birth all in one song, that was for me the GOSPEL- Jesus was ” born that man no more may die”

I worked with an amazing producer Herb Middleton and this song is a result of the fusion of ethnicity, style and love of the song and the graces of everyone involved.

Your most recent recording, "Osene: Live in Concert" was a live worship recording. What do you love most about that recording?

This will be a tough one (smile) there were many memorable moments that I loved picking one out will be hard. I grew up in that city (Benin City) so it was great being back there. I had a great time in the rehearsals that we did not include in the video but were life alteringing moments. There was a unique anointing in that particular meeting that is rare..

The people who came out to be saved was the moment for me. And I had numerous testimonies of healings that took place so I still want to give God ALL the glory for a glorious time in his presence during that live recording. So, though it was a live recording, it was an experience with God so I think that is what I loved the most.

Let’s do a little time travel to the past. Can you talk about being a young lady, and appointed as the music director of a 500 voiced choir? What was it like seeing your gift make a way, yet see all the fears and naysayers?

I will say challenging and intimidating but one of the great experience that has shaped my life. The great choir (Christian Redeemed Voices) had seen great music directors before me and I was one of many at that time. All I wanted to do was “sing” and share all God anointed me to do.  So naysayers on one hand didn’t help because they did not understand my passion, my difference, innocence, fears  and vulnerability,  but they pushed me to God and that was the safest place to be “With God”. I don’t know if the level of intimacy I found in those times could have been developed were it not for the challenges I had… God opened the doors and they were big doors and I knew God would not leave me alone.

Wow, you indeed are speaking a word that anyone reading can receive and apply in their current situations.

Does being so musically gifted and anointed mean proving yourself always, charting new territories to explore, or staying in your known lane?

I would say, don’t stop discovering what Gods put in you. You are your own limitation. You don’t have anything to prove to anyone, you have “you” to discover for yourself and when you discover you, share that with your world. That is the unique difference and blessing you are to your world. Then you can appreciate other gift without the feeling of competition. Travel your lane and work your gift and produce GOD results

Amen! That's what I seem to be learning - not proving myself, but discovering and being myself.

Right here in this moment, what would you say you are working on? Where is your anointing and creativity being invested in right now?

Besides being a mother to my three wonderful children (smile) I have been working on  the next phase for “Times of Refreshing” and the next phase of that vision is pretty awesome. Putting finishing touches to my book and cd

Nusong Ministry – For readers who are not familiar with your umbrella ministry, how would you describe the vision and what it is all about?

Nusong Ministries is a ministry with a mandate to minister the love and healing

power of God to the world through Music and Ministry. This brings together a team of leaders, musicians, and intercessors, who  function in various local assemblies  but are united in the vision to strengthen the Body of Christ. We  go to a place by the leading of the Spirit we set up meetings and just minister  and in that atmosphere of God’s presence and people can step into it and have  an awesome experience in the spirit not just for that moment but they get to  take that experience with them.

Can people get involved and participate in it, and how?

Absolutely!!!

Attend any of our “Times of Refreshing” Events in your area (follow us on Facebook and Twitter for updates)

Pray for our various outreach and missions projects.

Ministries and nonprofit organizations can always benefit from charitable donations. Would you mind sharing some things the ministry is doing, and how people who have a heart to give can donate? (I know, this is the part you’re not very comfortable with)

Well, we are involved in musical outreaches, interdenominational worship meetings, mission projects, as well as publishing   materials for free distribution.

On our website, there is a donate button on the nusongministries  page  that allows you financially contribute from anywhere in the world. It also tax deductible.
(Visit Nusong Ministries page to read about it, and make donation)

Oh, I just remembered. You are a published author. Tell us about your book

“Praise, it’s what I do”…..

Yes my first book it is a product of a revelation of our direct commitment and involvement in praise and worship. It is not a cliché’ it’s our participation in our relationship with the ONE we praise and worship.

Is there a new book….and cd in the works?

Oh Yes! Been taking my time but it’s all coming together. ’ Will announce a release date soon.

As an anointed Pastor, what last words would you want to leave with our readers?

I would like to encourage someone out there that God is not through with you so, don’t give up on yourself. It doesn’t matter where you find yourself. Jesus is only a prayer away. Talk to Him! He is still the expert at turning things around.

To connect with Osene:

Nusongmusic.com

twitter.com/osene