EeZee Tee Sets Record as GGTQ 2023 Grand Finale Closes

Ayodeji Ake

EeZee Tee finally sets a clear record in the Nigerian Gospel Music Industry with the Gospel Groove Talent Quest (GGTQ) 2023 initiative.

The GGTQ 2023 was put together to give platforms and visibility to young Nigerian Gospel Ministers.

Recently the show finally wraps up in grand style as the winner of the contest, Labisi, walks home with a top prize of a 3-year recording deal worth 300 Million Naira including a brand new car, house accommodation, and a cash prize of 10 million Naira.

Speaking about the event, the producer of GGTQ 2023, Ezekiel Thankgod Onyedikachukwu, better known as EeZee Tee, said the talent quest was part of the plans of EeZee Conceptz Global to rejuvenate the gospel music industry as there are no major gospel talent reality events in the country.

In his words: “We received over 6,000 entries in less than two weeks when we commenced the show. Very beautiful, talented, exceptional talents. At several points we were confused, we were in a dilemma. Everybody deserves to be called the winner. All of the challenges we encountered in the gospel music ecosystem were all there.

“We were able to start working and stop complaining. We have too many fantastic Christian talents, and creatives from far back. From the Michael Jacksons to the Beyonces. They all came from church. We are here to see how we can gradually start making our footprint, our contribution, and our quota to the ecosystem. Rather than looking at the challenges we want to see the opportunity.

“We are dealing with sentiments, emotions, pretence, hypocrisy, religion and many others. A scenario where my dreadlocks are a problem because I’m a Nigerian but if you bring an American who has the same dreadlocks and he lifts his hand in worship, you would accept it. That’s not religion, it’s hypocrisy. It’s evil and I don’t know how people who were born with dreadlocks will all go to hell. You worship God with music created by American artists with tattoos on their bodies and it’s not a problem. A problem of religion over spirituality.”

“We are dealing with a lot in our ecosystem but we have made huge progress. We approached a couple of corporate sponsors who said they can’t be part of this because it’s gospel while some requested that we tweak it a little bit so it can have more engagement and have a bit of a worldly tone.

“We also heard there was no need for you to identify, nurture, and invest in Christian talents. When the talents started growing, the same people who criticized them saw them as their own children and patronized them. It’s a funny community but we are focused on doing the work and not just talking the talk”.

EeZee Tee noted that GGTQ offered exceptional talent a career while adding that the show provided a platform for visibility, structure and a sustainable plan for longevity.

On his part, Ex-Music Director of Project Fame Africa and Music Director for the GGTQ 2023, Ben Ogbeiwi better known as Uncle Ben, remarked that the successful completion of the premier edition was a miracle.

“No one is ever going to sponsor any religious activity, especially the Christian religion. It’s difficult to find people who will step up and stay in the middle and that’s why I would like to thank EeZee Tee who basically took the bull by the horn and said Look I’m going to do this Whoever is going to come, the train is going to stop at your bus stop if you want to climb on it you are welcome,” he said.