Popular Nigerian cleric Chukwuemeka Cyril Ohanaemere, widely known as Pastor Odumeje, made a surprise appearance on stage with highlife star Flavour at a Lagos concert on Monday, December 23.
Gatekeepers News reports that Odumeje joined Flavour during his performance at Flytime Fest, one of Nigeria’s biggest end-of-year music concerts, held at the Eko Convention Centre, Lagos. The cleric walked onto the stage to loud cheers after Flavour introduced him to the audience, drawing excitement from fans.
Odumeje, founder of the Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry in Onitsha, Anambra State, is known for his dramatic preaching style, controversial remarks and viral social media videos. Over the years, he has built a strong online following, with clips of his sermons frequently sparking debates and memes.
On stage, the duo performed War Ready, a song that blends gospel themes with highlife and contemporary sounds. The track was released earlier this year as part of Flavour’s album, Afroculture, and has generated mixed reactions since its release, with some listeners applauding its creativity while others questioned the fusion of church imagery with secular music.
At the concert, however, such debates appeared secondary as fans sang along and raised their phones to capture the moment. Flavour, whose real name is Chinedu Okoli, delivered an energetic performance, thrilling the crowd with several of his hit songs.
Odumeje’s unexpected appearance added a dramatic twist to the show and quickly became one of the most talked-about moments of the night. Flytime Fest, which runs over several days, typically features top Nigerian and international artistes and attracts thousands of music lovers annually. This year’s edition has followed that tradition, with Odumeje’s stage appearance standing out as a major highlight.
Following the concert, videos and photos of Odumeje and Flavour performing together circulated widely on social media, with fans expressing shock, amusement and excitement. Despite the mixed reactions, the moment underscored Odumeje’s growing presence beyond the pulpit, as he has increasingly featured in music videos and media interviews in recent years.
The collaboration also reflects Flavour’s openness to experimenting with different sounds and personalities. While rooted in highlife, the singer has continued to explore new creative directions, maintaining a strong connection with his audience. As Flytime Fest continues, Odumeje’s surprise appearance is likely to remain one of the defining images of the event.
