Christ the King Catholic Church is set to host its annual Mercy Praise Concert, expanding the initiative to include grants and skills acquisition programmes aimed at empowering residents in the Oniba area of Lagos.
Speaking ahead of the event during an interview on Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1FM, the Chairman of the organising committee, Hillary Opala, said the programme is designed to combine spiritual upliftment with economic empowerment.
According to him, the concert, now in its seventh edition, is a yearly gathering that brings together gospel ministers from within Lagos and beyond for an extended session of praise and thanksgiving. Scheduled to hold on the Sunday after Easter in line with the Catholic celebration of Mercy Sunday, the event will feature a six-hour non-stop praise experience.
“We have different gospel ministers, including saxophonists and traditional drama groups. It’s strictly praise and worship for six hours,” Opala said.
Beyond the concert, the church is introducing a skills acquisition programme slated for March 28 and 29, 2026. The initiative will provide participants with practical vocational training in areas such as catering, shoemaking, and other trades aimed at promoting entrepreneurship.
A key highlight of the programme is the provision of financial grants to outstanding trainees. Committee adviser, Lorine Okpala, explained that participants will be assessed based on performance, commitment, and readiness to apply the skills learned.
“In between the praise sessions, we identify the best participants from each training class and present them with grants to help them start their own small-scale businesses,” she said.
Organisers noted that the outreach reflects the church’s commitment to translating faith into practical impact by addressing socio-economic challenges within the community.
The initiative is particularly targeted at residents in the Oniba axis, where many young people are actively engaged in business but face limited access to higher education opportunities. By focusing on vocational skills and startup support, the programme aims to promote self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
The event is open to the general public, with invitations extended to individuals seeking both spiritual enrichment and practical empowerment.
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