Popular Nigerian singer Timi Dakolo has called out, Apostle Femi Lazarus for charging fees for his School of Ministry.
This is coming after Lazarus criticised gospel artists for demanding payment to minister at church events.
Speaking during his recent church sermon, the minister projected the alleged invoice from a singer, which was capped at $10,000 with a non-refundable 50% payment, a first-class flight ticket, amongst other requests.
He said,
“I want the media to project an invoice for a music minister in Nigeria. It says that the minister would be accompanied by a minimum of forty people who will all return the day after the event.”
The hotel reservations will be covered by the church, an executive suite for the minister. An honorarium of $10,000 with a non-refundable 50% payment before we can attend and the balance will be made 2 days before the event compulsorily.
Those who know God, know he’s not with ministers like this. Many charlatans don’t bill big pastors, they use them for endorsement. You can’t demand for such without growing.
Reacting to the claims, Timi Dakolo dismissed the authenticity of the invoice and warned people against being gullible.
Dakolo further pointed out the financial costs involved in music production, from studio fees to marketing and promotion, implying that gospel musicians are justified in seeking payment for their art.
“Sir, you are charging as low as $150 per person for your school of ministry, teaching and preaching Jesus. Probably having as much as 1,000 students. Let’s do the maths. You even have premium and standard for God’s house? Are you not selling the gift and revelation freely given to you? Again, let’s not keep shifting the goalpost.
“Such hypocrisy. The School of Ministry has expenses and music creation doesn’t? Running cost important, production/promotion cost unimportant? Most of you don’t know how much a producer charges, then the marketing, the promotion. The amount of hours it takes to finish a song. Keep shifting the goalpost, guys,” Dakolo added.
