Gospel singer Tim Godfrey has defended gospel artists who charge fees for their performances, insisting that ministry and professionalism are not mutually exclusive.
In a recent social media post, Godfrey stressed that fair compensation is vital for sustaining a ministry, adding that charging for performances does not make an artist less spiritual.
Recalling his early experiences, the singer said there were times he was paid with food items such as tubers of yam and a live chicken after performances.
He noted, however, that times have changed and artists deserve fair financial recognition for their work and contributions to the ministry.
He said, “I don’t like coming. Okay, Coming to Nigeria became difficult because of how artists are being treated so badly.
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“And I want to say it’s all of those stories of why they’re charging? Why are they collecting money? Why are they doing this? It got me so, so mad. I said why are people wicked?
“What sense does it make that people work so hard, and you are saying they should take… I have collected tubers of yams as honorarium. I have collected a full, alive, living, working, breathing chicken as honorarium.
“And that is what I’m going to use to pay school fees, pay house rent, and buy property? No. That is so unfair. That is absolutely unfair.”