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By Christy Anyanwu
Chioma Agwunobi is a woman of many parts. She is a journalist, master of ceremonies, film producer, actress and lots more.
She talks about the gospel with great passion and vigour. Recently she held an event, tagged “Creatives Night of Worship,” in Lekki, Lagos.
At that function, Sunday Sun had a chat with her.
Why did you hold this event?
To be honest with you, it was just laid in my heart by God. He said, ‘how are you bringing me into the picture of your industry? You want to blow, you want to make money, where is God in all of this?’
If you look at what is going on now, even the Epstein Files case, it has really brought into limelight the level of decadence, the level of decay in the world. We don’t really understand what is going on in the world we are in, and because we don’t really understand, we take things on face value. Meanwhile, so much more than we realise is going on.
The media is powerful, so powerful that, with the media, they have programmed and made us to easily accept negativity. It’s easy for us to accept homosexuality and lesbianism, because there’s a brainwash going on. So, we need to capture the media. We need to bring God on the scene. That’s why we started this.
It’s just our way of bringing God on the scene and bringing about His kingdom upon the mountains of media and entertainment. It’s supposed to be a time of refreshing for those of us in the creative space.
Sometimes, we just don’t know how to do this anymore because we are just so distant. The church sent us out into the world and, when we get there, by the time we get back, they might have closed the gate against us because they feel we don’t fit in anymore.
For so long and in so many spaces it just seems there’s no room for creatives, I thought we could just have a night where it’s just us and we freely express ourselves. We know it’s important to proclaim Jesus on this mountain and, two or three times in a year, we intend to come together and gather and just praise and worship, network and just be all we can be in His presence.
What would you like to tell us about your growing up days?
I grew up in Lagos. Childhood was beautiful. We grew up under very strict parents. My parents were very strict but we are a close-knit family. We were not permitted to go out, visit or have friends that much.
How did your journey as a born-again Christian start?
I have always loved God, from childhood. Though I didn’t really know what it was, I gave my life to Christ when I went to the University of Benin. That was when I came in contact with Dominion City and Pastor David Ogbueli. That was where I gave my life to Christ and I am still on the journey. That was why I said, when you asked me if I attended a Bible school, that my church is practically a Bible school. By the time you go through all the training that the church has, from Foundation School to Dominion Leadership Institute and so on, you should be equipped enough to handle ministry. Just find expressive means to share the word of God.
As a born-again Christian, did you preach the gospel as a pastor in camp during your NYSC days?
In camp, I did the HIV awareness programme. I served in Idera Community School, Kwara State. We did a lot of social work with the children, with the communities, with the Obas. The training I got from my church was the one that prompted me to do all that. I did a lot of community service and community projects during my NYSC days.
What do you do in terms of vocation?
I’m a journalist. I was in Silverbird for eight years as a television producer and presenter. I’m into filmmaking. I do television production, I host events, too. I emcee at events and I act. I have been in the media and creative space practically all my life.
You talk like a pastor. The first day we met, I thought you were a pastor or a pastor’s wife
I’m a believer. My husband is a DJ. So, I see people say, how can a DJ be a church worker? This my coloured hair is a case. In the church you can’t find your place there. For me as an MC, my job can take me to Cubana. My MC job can take me to a lounge, it can take me to a party, that is why I don’t call myself a pastor. People call me pastor when they see me function under the grace of God. They call me pastor without me seeing the pastor. I am just someone who loves God and who is willing to be used by God however possible. I don’t have a collar.
How did you meet your husband?
I was working in Silverbird and we met through a mutual friend who was also a DJ. He’s a DJ, he owns a live band, and he’s into entertainment too.
What’s your kind of style?
In terms of fashion? I love fashion but I believe in modesty. Everything should be covered. It has to be stylish and you don’t need to break the bank or spend too much to basically look good. And I’m not in that school of thought where I cannot leave the house without makeup. I believe in simplicity and comfort but I like to look good. When I step into a space, I should not be ashamed. I should be proud of whatever I’m wearing and people should not be ashamed of me or on my behalf. I want my daughter to say, come and meet my mummy and I do not want them to turn as if they don’t know me.
The other day, my daughter said to me: My mummy, I want you to be like this prepping mummies. I said, which one is prepping again? She said those mummies that come to drop their children off at school and they wear makeup, they do their nails, wear long hair and speak… I said, is that what you want? She said, yes. Once in a while, just give them. I said ok, but your mummy is not like that. Your mummy is local. You manage me the way I am (laughs).
