Julius OkorieCommendations galore, that is the best way to describe reactions following the invitation of renowned Nigerian gospel artist and Pastor, Nathaniel Bassey to U.S President elect, Donald Trump’s inaugural prayer breakfast.
Many Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike, who bared their minds on social media over the development, were unanimous in their submission that Pastor Bassey merited the invitation.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelMany quoting copiously from the Bible submitted that it was the product of genuine hard work in the vineyard of the lord, adding that even in the midst of false claims by some fake pastors to have been called, genuine ones will still stand out via their steadfastness and unadulterated service in the lord’s vineyard.
Mavis Martha @MavisM4680 said “When God holds your hand, there is no limit on how far you can go. Ezra 7:6. The kings did everything he wanted for the hand of God was upon him 🙏🙏🙏.
Thank you Lord. I love the way you show off your people 🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗”
Dr Uzoma Ajegbo (BBM) @Drmuzoic attributed the invitation to the diligence of 43-year-old Pastor Nathaniel saying “Seeth thou a man diligent in his business? He will stand before kings and not mere men.”
Jona @JonahAmoo apparently overwhelmed by the invitation said Wooow “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, Neither have entered into the heart of man, The things which God hath prepared for them that love him.”1 Corinthians 2:9
Adesanya Emmanuel Tosin @TosinAdesanya on his part said “I’m happy… My number one Gospel minister is being recognised on a global platform @nathanielblow more grace. God will go with you and use you for His glory” he enthused.
Samday @AyeniSamuelDayo drawing comparison between the idea of inaugural prayer in USA and what is obtainable here in Nigeria, took a swipe at leaders who are afraid of identifying with their faith, saying “Some christians here during inauguration will invite Davido , Flavour ….they won’t even do any inaugural prayer breakfast because they are too choke to be tagged religious, they want the world loves and so they hide …Trump is the opposite. I love his boldness”
U.S. President-elect, Donald Trump, who is making a second return to the White House, is to be inaugurated on January 20, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Pastor Bassey who revealed his invitation via his Instagram had said “nathanielblow Let’s raise a sound in America.And let the king of Glory come in. See you 20th January, 2025”.
The Akwa Ibom-born cleric expressed excitement about the opportunity to lead worship at such a significant event.
The U.S. Presidential Inaugural Prayer Breakfast is a non-political, faith-based tradition held every four years before the swearing-in of a new administration. It focuses on prayer and worship as spiritual support for the U.S. government and its leaders.
This year’s edition will be hosted at the prestigious Waldorf Astoria Presidential Ballroom by Reverend Merrie Turner.
Distinguished speakers, including civil rights activist Dr. Alveda King and Pastor Mario Bramnick, will join the event as part of the spiritual preparation for the incoming administration of President Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance.
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Nathaniel Bassey, known for his soul-stirring worship music and as the convener of the globally acclaimed Hallelujah Challenge, has made a major impact in the gospel music genre.
Songs like “Imela,” “Onise Iyanu,” and “Olowogbogboro” have earned him international acclaim, blending genres like jazz, hymns, and medleys to inspire millions.
In 2024, his contributions to gospel music and ministry were recognized in the United States when the Mayor of Albany, New York, declared October 6 as “Pastor Nathaniel Bassey Day.”
How Pastor Bassey’s Musical Career Began:
Nathaniel started his musical career in the church, where he then joined the Rhodes Orchestra and played the trumpet for two years. He was a trumpeter who composed a song at the visit to Stella Obasanjo, the late wife of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
In 2004, he featured in the album “New Jazz Stew Project: Revelation” alongside top jazz performers like Wole Oni and Yinka Davies. In 2018, Bassey was one of the leading artistes in the Nigerian Christian gathering – The Experience. His debut album, Elohim, was recorded and mixed in Cape Town, South Africa, in the year 2008.
It has been described as a spiritual and artistic masterpiece with the hit track, “Someone’s knocking at the door,” a soft-rock tune currently generating so much interest locally and internationally.
Nathaniel started the #HallelujahChallenge in June 2017, where he and other believers worship God for an hour, from 12:00 am to 1:00 am.
He streams this event on his Instagram page along with other social outlets and invites others to join him. In less than a month, the event had over 600,000 views. The #HallelujahChallenge for 2020 was held from 4 to 24 February 2020 In 2021, the challenge was held from 1 to 21 February.
Nathaniel Bassey who studied International Relations and Politics at the University of Lagos before moving to London to study Politics thereafter, went further to study music at the Middlesex University Summer School.
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
