Osene Ighodaro

Osene Ighodaro
Born	Edo State, Nigeria
Nationality	Nigeria
Occupation	Minister, Singer, Songwriter, Worship Leader
Years active	1989 - present
Website
Official Website

Osene Ighodaro (born Osene Odia) is a Nigerian gospel artist who is currently based in the United States. She is among one of the recognized contemporary gospel artists of Nigeria who have contributed to the progress of gospel music in Nigeria, alongside other renowned Nigerian artists like Panam Percy Paul, and others ⁽¹⁾.

Biography

The second in the family of six children, Osene exhibited the calling of God upon her at an early age, ministering under the direction of her choirmaster father in children's choir, adult choir and later at crusades in the late 70's and early 80's. While majoring in Zoology at the local university, she became the music director and lead-vocalist in Believer's LoveWorld.

Career

Upon graduating with her B.Sc, she became involved in Church of God Mission Int. Inc., founded by Archbishop Benson Idahosa, who is arguably considered the father of Pentecoatalism in Africa. As a music minister, she led the Idahosa World Outreach (I.W.O.) singers a.k.a. The Praise Team, and accompanied the Archbishop to minister all over Nigeria, Africa and Europe. She eventually became the music director of the renowned Christian Redeemed Voices of C.G.M. Faith Arena, a choir that boasted of more than 500 voices.

In 2000, she released her debut cd "Expressions of my Heart" under her own independent label, Nu Song Music. After relocating to America in 2004, she became the Pastor of Worship at New Castle Victory Christian Fellowship, a megachurch in the Gary Whetstone Worldwide Ministries in New Castle, Delaware. In Dec 2008 she released her sophomore cd, "Osene at Christmas".

In August 2009, Victory Christian Fellowship celebrated its 25th anniversary in revival celebration with celebrated speakers T.D. Jakes and Rod Parsley. As the Music Minister of the church, she worked with invited guest singers, Donnie McClurkin, Martha Munizzi, and Christian Hip Hop artist Sean Slaughter ⁽²⁾. In the same year, she also published her first book, an inspirational book on praise, titled "Praise, it's what I do". A year later in August of 2010, she returned to Nigeria to record her first live praise recording, featuring Jackson Tugbeh and alumni members of The Praise Team of Church of God Mission.

Personal life

She married to Peace Ighodaro in 2001, who also is a pastor and vice-president NuSong Music. They are parents of three kids.

Discography

• Expressions of my Heart (2000)
• Osene at Christmas (2008)

References

• Iysel Records - http://www.iyselrecords.8k.com/super.html
• Delaware Online - http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20090718/LIFE/907180314/-1/COMMUNITIES01

External links

• Official Website
• Ministry Page
• Osene on MySpace
• Osene on YouTube

Persondata
Name	Ighodaro, Osene
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth
Place of birth	Edo State, Nigeria
Date of death
Place of death