London based Nigerian Afro-gospel dancer Ifeanyi Ebel shares her story and experience in the Gospel-Entertainment world in an exclusive interview with Odiko Godwin's blog.
IFY: I am a young Christian Afro gospel dancer originally from Nigeria who absolutely loves God. I'm also a student.
WHAT'S YOUR BACKGROUND LIKE?
IFY: My full name is Ifeanyi Ebel. I'm an Igbo girl, from Delta state.
I grew up in the U.K. But always go back and forth as I love Nigeria (smiles).
SO WHAT INSPIRED YOU INTO DOING GOSPEL DANCING STUFF?
IFY: Since I was little around 6 years old I loved to dance.
I've always been a believer, I was born into a Christian family like most of us(laughs).
I've always love to dance since I was very young. I use to actually be a street dancer and apart of an afrobeats dance group but always felt as though something was no right. Something was missing in what I was doing and I realised that I was dancing for the world and not God.
God has always been the source of my joy in everything but I felt like I was not appreciating or praising him or doing what he wanted me to do with my talent. Last year I was strongly moved by other young gospel artists and it really encouraged me to use my talent for the Lord.
That's when I decided to open up a YouTube gospel dance channel and post dance videos to praise and promote Jesus. I haven't looked back since.
I want to encourage other young people like myself to use their talents for God as he is why we are alive. Don't worry about what other people say or think, God is all that matters. Also to let young people know that Gospel does not have to be boring at all (laughs).
I always love afrobeats and love to dance to the some of them! But my main goal is Afro gospel!!
SO HAVING DECIDED TO USE YOUR TALENT FOR JESUS, HAVE YOU FOR ONCE LOOKED AT THE MONEY IN THE SECULAR ENTERTAINMENT AND CONTEMPLATED CHANGING YOUR MIND?
IFY: Not at all money does not drive me it's my passion for dancing and God! I believe that God is my provider and is able to provide money, wealth etc as long as I trust in him.
SO HOW HAS THE SUPPORT FROM YOUR PARENT BEEN SO FAR?
IFY: My oh my (laughs).
To be honest, at first they didn't want me to be a dancer at all no way!! Until they started to realise how much time and effort I put into dancing and how serious I am about making this my career.
Also once they saw my videos they were impressed. Now they are very supportive.
WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING PRESENTLY?
IFY: At the moment I'm studying accounting.
SO HOW DO YOU COPE; COMBINE STUDIES WITH DANCE PRACTICES AND SHOWS?
IFY: Well at the moment I'm only doing YouTube videos but by God's grace I will start to do shows soon. So it's been fine so far.
YOU STILL PLAN ON DOING SOMETHING PROFESSIONAL WITH ACCOUNTING IN THE FUTURE RIGHT?
IFY: Its mainly just a backup. I'm good at accounting but my passion is dancing which Is definitely what I want to do forever.
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?
IFY: Wow I have so many.
I love watching Congolese dancers!! Ciara is amazing, I love kaffy from Nigeria. To be honest every African dancer inspires me.
HOW HAS LIFE BEEN LIKE, GROWING UP AND LIVING IN THE UK? WOULD YOU HAVE PREFERRED THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE LIFE OF NIGERIA?
IFY: It's been normal growing up in the U.K. It's funny because people always think it's easier in the Uk but it's not.
I've started working at a very very young age along with school.
I stay in Lagos too. I prefer Nigeria 100%.
HOW HAS IT BEEN LIKE TRYING TO KEEP GODLY AND MAINTAIN A MORALLY UPRIGHT LIFESTYLE IN THIS ERA OF OBSCENE LIVINGS AND LIFESTYLES?
IFY: I must say its not always easy as no one is perfect! However for me personally knowing and reading the word of God and listening to Christian music is definitely the key way.
SO WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE?
IFY: Definitely in my personal opinion it is wrong as the bible condemns it!!
But again I do not like to judge others.
WHAT DO YOU THINK CAN BE DONE TO WIN OVER THE YOUTHS OF THIS GENERATION FOR JESUS?
IFY: Definitely by using platforms like mine to showcase young new gospel talents at the moment e.g singers, dancers etc.
I really believe that once people start to see more young people similar to themselves using their talents for God especially in a modern way, it will attract the younger generation! It will encourage and inspire others to want to do the same.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD?
IFY: Wow I have too many Amala and Egusi Soup!! Or Jellof Rice any day any time (laughs).
YOUR FAVOURITE GOSPEL ARTIST?
IFY: Woow I have so many. I don't think I have a specific one.
YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?
IFY: osuofia in london(still my favourite).
WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON GOSPEL SONGS AND SECULAR SONGS? AS BELIVERS, IS IT OKAY TO LISTEN TO SECULAR SONGS?
IFY: In my opinion I think it really just depends on the songs and the words (Just know what your listening too).
I love some Afrobeats songs just the more clean ones.
YOUR FAVOURITE SOCCER TEAM?
IFY: Manchester United.
FINALLY. WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE TO TALENTED YOUTH OUT THERE; LOST AWAY IN THE WORLD?
IFY: I would say that they should try to put God in everything that they do either it be in acting, singing, dancing, football etc as he is the only reason why we live to day! Dont follow the crowd, do what is best. If you do it for God, God will definitely do better things for you even more than you could ever imagine!
Follow Ify on twitter @Ifys_Channel
I always love afrobeats and love to dance to the some of them! But my main goal is Afro gospel!!
SO HAVING DECIDED TO USE YOUR TALENT FOR JESUS, HAVE YOU FOR ONCE LOOKED AT THE MONEY IN THE SECULAR ENTERTAINMENT AND CONTEMPLATED CHANGING YOUR MIND?
IFY: Not at all money does not drive me it's my passion for dancing and God! I believe that God is my provider and is able to provide money, wealth etc as long as I trust in him.
SO HOW HAS THE SUPPORT FROM YOUR PARENT BEEN SO FAR?
IFY: My oh my (laughs).
To be honest, at first they didn't want me to be a dancer at all no way!! Until they started to realise how much time and effort I put into dancing and how serious I am about making this my career.
Also once they saw my videos they were impressed. Now they are very supportive.
WHAT ARE YOU STUDYING PRESENTLY?
IFY: At the moment I'm studying accounting.
SO HOW DO YOU COPE; COMBINE STUDIES WITH DANCE PRACTICES AND SHOWS?
IFY: Well at the moment I'm only doing YouTube videos but by God's grace I will start to do shows soon. So it's been fine so far.
YOU STILL PLAN ON DOING SOMETHING PROFESSIONAL WITH ACCOUNTING IN THE FUTURE RIGHT?
IFY: Its mainly just a backup. I'm good at accounting but my passion is dancing which Is definitely what I want to do forever.
WHO IS YOUR ROLE MODEL?
IFY: Wow I have so many.
I love watching Congolese dancers!! Ciara is amazing, I love kaffy from Nigeria. To be honest every African dancer inspires me.
HOW HAS LIFE BEEN LIKE, GROWING UP AND LIVING IN THE UK? WOULD YOU HAVE PREFERRED THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE LIFE OF NIGERIA?
IFY: It's been normal growing up in the U.K. It's funny because people always think it's easier in the Uk but it's not.
I've started working at a very very young age along with school.
I stay in Lagos too. I prefer Nigeria 100%.
HOW HAS IT BEEN LIKE TRYING TO KEEP GODLY AND MAINTAIN A MORALLY UPRIGHT LIFESTYLE IN THIS ERA OF OBSCENE LIVINGS AND LIFESTYLES?
IFY: I must say its not always easy as no one is perfect! However for me personally knowing and reading the word of God and listening to Christian music is definitely the key way.
SO WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON SEX BEFORE MARRIAGE?
IFY: Definitely in my personal opinion it is wrong as the bible condemns it!!
But again I do not like to judge others.
WHAT DO YOU THINK CAN BE DONE TO WIN OVER THE YOUTHS OF THIS GENERATION FOR JESUS?
IFY: Definitely by using platforms like mine to showcase young new gospel talents at the moment e.g singers, dancers etc.
I really believe that once people start to see more young people similar to themselves using their talents for God especially in a modern way, it will attract the younger generation! It will encourage and inspire others to want to do the same.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE FOOD?
IFY: Wow I have too many Amala and Egusi Soup!! Or Jellof Rice any day any time (laughs).
YOUR FAVOURITE GOSPEL ARTIST?
IFY: Woow I have so many. I don't think I have a specific one.
YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE?
IFY: osuofia in london(still my favourite).
WHAT'S YOUR TAKE ON GOSPEL SONGS AND SECULAR SONGS? AS BELIVERS, IS IT OKAY TO LISTEN TO SECULAR SONGS?
IFY: In my opinion I think it really just depends on the songs and the words (Just know what your listening too).
I love some Afrobeats songs just the more clean ones.
YOUR FAVOURITE SOCCER TEAM?
IFY: Manchester United.
FINALLY. WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE TO TALENTED YOUTH OUT THERE; LOST AWAY IN THE WORLD?
IFY: I would say that they should try to put God in everything that they do either it be in acting, singing, dancing, football etc as he is the only reason why we live to day! Dont follow the crowd, do what is best. If you do it for God, God will definitely do better things for you even more than you could ever imagine!
Follow Ify on twitter @Ifys_Channel
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