By John Dike, Osogbo
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has hosted the 2026 edition of the annual Church Choir Competition as part of activities marking the Easter celebration, rewarding outstanding choirs with cash prizes and food items.
According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Director of Media and Public Affairs at the Ooni’s Palace, Moses Olafare, the event now in its fourth edition—was held at the Ife Grand Resort.
The competition brought together several church choirs from across Ondo State and beyond, aimed at promoting unity, religious harmony, and the celebration of Easter through music and spiritual upliftment.
Participating choirs included The Central Choir of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo State; Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 22, Ondo State; St. David’s Anglican Cathedral, Akure; Celestial Church of Christ Cathedral, Ondo State; and St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Igbara-Oke, among others.
The performances featured soul-lifting renditions marked by vocal strength, harmony, and impressive stage presentation.
A panel of judges comprising music experts and clergy members assessed the performances based on vocal quality, coordination, originality, and overall delivery.
Speaking at the event, the Convener, Fadekemi Ogunwusi, commended the Ooni for his commitment to fostering interfaith unity and youth engagement through creative initiatives.
She noted that the competition continues to strengthen relationships among Christian communities while promoting moral and spiritual values.
At the end of the contest, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Region 22, Ondo State, emerged overall winner.
The Central Choir, Catholic Diocese of Ondo State, came second, while St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Igbara-Oke, secured third place. The Celestial Church of Christ Cathedral finished fourth.
In recognition of their performances, the Ooni rewarded the winners with cash prizes and food items.
The first-place choir received ₦2 million, the second-place winner got ₦1.5 million, the third-place choir earned ₦1 million, while the fourth-place team was awarded ₦500,000.
Addressing participants and guests, Ooni Ogunwusi urged Nigerians to embrace love, peace, and unity, emphasizing that Easter symbolizes sacrifice, hope, and renewal. He also called on religious institutions to continue promoting harmony and contributing to national development.
The monarch reaffirmed his commitment to supporting initiatives that encourage peaceful coexistence among diverse religious groups.
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