Rema explains reason for N150 million donation to church

By Tosin Brown

Nigerian music star Divine Ikubor, popularly known as Rema, has explained the reasons behind his recent donation of N150 million to the Christ Embassy Church in Benin City, Edo State.

According to reports, the Edo native was in the state for the Edo@33 celebration, where he performed at the groundbreaking ceremony of the 6,000-capacity Edo Dome. He also performed at a concert at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, organized by the state government.

Rema made the donation to the Edo Regional Headquarters of Christ Embassy Church, located on Erediauwa Street off Ekenwa Road, on Sunday, September 1. He stated that the donation was in appreciation for the church’s support for his family during a difficult period in his childhood.

During a thanksgiving service at the church, the Mavins music star recounted how the church played a crucial role in his family’s life after the loss of his father when he was just eight years old.

In his words: “I am not here to give myself any form of accolades or glory but to give God the glory. I felt it was important to give back to the church that has embraced me, prayed for me, and kept me consistent in my spirit.

“When I was eight years old and lost my dad, we felt very lost and abandoned. All that we had was taken from us, and we felt alone. I remember at that time, Pastor Joy and Pastor Thomas, the pastors of this church, opened a shop for my mum, which she managed to take care of us and feed us.”

Rema continued, “I want to pledge N40 million to the infrastructural development of the church, N20 million to the Rhapsody of Realities publication, and, because I came from the teen church, I also pledge N25 million to the church. In addition, if there is any widow in the church today, I am pledging N20 million to assist all the widows in attendance.”

Rema has previously taken to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to speak about how his father, a politician with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, was allegedly murdered when he was a child.