Precious Eminue, also known as Precious is one of Nigeria’s fast rising gospel artistes making waves in the industry. She is an English graduate and certified TV presenter. Precious is also a painter and runs an online art gallery called, Precious Arts Gallery. This singer, songwriter and entrepreneur in this interview with CHIOMA BLESSING, speaks on her career, growing up and why gospel artistes shouldn’t do collaboration with secular artistes
What have you been doing lately?
I have been promoting two of my singles titled ‘Thank You’ and ‘Stretch Forth’. ‘Thank You’ is centered on the importance of thanking God with a grateful heart, while ‘Stretch Forth’ is about building peoples’ faith in Christ. I recorded and released my first single in October 2017. I organised a listening party/worship service in my church, Glorious Light Assembly (GLA) and ever since then, God has been manifesting Himself in my career.
What is your assessment on the gospel music industry?
On the international scene, there is great development, especially structure-wise, having access to more advanced equipment for music recording and promotions. I won’t say I am contented, because there is still more room for improvement, especially on the local scene. We need more structure but I must say that there have been great improvements compared to how things were some decades ago. Now, we have more annual gospel events that promote gospel music and seasoned gospel artistes, such us, ‘The Experience’, ‘Night of Worship’, ‘Fearless’ etc. and we see more collaborations between local and international artistes.
Why gospel and not secular music?
My decision is borne out of love for Christ and a burning passion to lead people to worship God. It is a great privilege and I find overwhelming fulfillment doing the will of God.
Do you also think there is nothing wrong in doing collaboration with secular artistes?
In my own opinion, I feel it is better for gospel artistes to do collaborations with other gospel artistes because it is more effective for ministry and kingdom purposes.
Many have raised concerns that lots of gospel ministers infuse secular music and slangs into gospel songs, even during ministrations in the church. What is your take on this?
Gospel artistes need to be more careful and selective as to what we choose to infuse in our music so as not to confuse people.
Don’t you feel threatened among the popular gospel ministers?
No, I don’t feel threatened. I have high regard and respect for them and feel blessed to have others that have gone before me. These are ‘soldiers’ that have been fighting the good fight of faith with hard work and perseverance, as well as leading people to worship God.
Who are your role models?
Jesus is my role model. To mention a few I really respect Pastor Nathaniel Bassey, Chioma Jesus, Tim Godfrey, Ada, Mercy Chinwo, The Gratitudes and Cobhams Asuquo.
What is your take on gospel singers turning to sing secular musicians?
I strongly believe it all balls down to ‘purpose’ and being firm in what you believe no matter what comes your way.
Before a person decides to be a gospel minister it’s important to understand and ask yourself, why? It’s important to also know that it’s a great privilege to sing and lead people to worship God because true worship is God’s ‘meal’.
And it’s the one thing we as believers will continue to do even after we are gone from this world and in heaven. So the question is why would you give up something that has so much eternal value? And for what? It’s a personal decision to make.
What has been your greatest challenge in the industry?
It has been a great learning experience for me. I will say the major challenge is getting my works out there because it is one thing to have good songs and it is another thing for people to get to hear them apart from friends and family. This push involves a lot and it is quite capital intensive as well. Regardless of all these, I’m quite positive and optimistic taking it one step at a time.
There are insinuations that gospel ministers hardly preach the gospel message through their songs and even if they do, their lives don’t depict a true Christian life. How will you react to this and how can one identify a true gospel minister?
I have heard this a couple of times, that’s why I am of the opinion that as a gospel minister, we are ambassadors of God and the message of the cross and all that Christ stands for should be our core message and should be seen in our lifestyle as well, so as not to confuse or mislead people. Personally, I pick my songs from the scriptures and filled with the word of God. Hebrew 4: 12 says: “The word of God is living and active, sharper than two-edged sword, piercing to the division of the soul and spirit…” Also, Roman 10:17 says: “Faith comes from hearing through the word of God.” So, if we really want to make impact for Christ, it’s through the word of God. So, basically, we are singing the word of God and on identifying a gospel minister, my response to that is that ‘by their fruits you shall know them’.
Where would you like to see yourself in the next five years?
I see myself ministering and touching lives around the world both locally and internationally. I see myself doing great collaborations with anointed gospel ministers. I also want to reach out to more people through my outreach, EEF foundation by God’s grace.
It will also be my priority to create more awareness as an ambassador of Security Crusaders Association of Nigeria (SACAN).
