DUKE

Celebrate Him While He Is Still With Us ! Since I was a child, no Nigerian Catholic hymn has stayed with me the way the compositions of Sir Jude Nnam @sirjudennam have. I have always admired the simplicity, sincerity, flair and grace with which he composes his songs. His lyrics come from the depth of his heart with great spiritual meaning that speaks to any and everyone that listens to it. From “Uchechukwu” to “Kanyi Jee n’Ulo Chukwu,” from “Take and Sanctify” to “Father, to You We Offer,” from “Somtoochukwu” to “Sai Kuzo,” from “Chineke Odogwu” to “Agam Eje N’Altar,” from “My Story” to “It’s payback time”, from “In Thanksgiving and Love,” to “Olisa”, “Surrender Your Heart to Jesus”, “Mungode Allah”, “Chinemerem”, “In Love With Jesus”, “Abinci”, “Chinecherem”, “Kosisochukwu”, “Time After Time”, “Ngozi”, “Thy Will be Done”, “Oge Erugo”, “Obi Eze Chukwu” and many many more. These songs have shaped the way many of us experience the Holy Mass. From entrance hymn to dismissal, he helped make our liturgy sound truly African without losing its reverence - each moment of the Holy Mass became more alive because of his music, and do know that his compositions are sung every Sunday in parishes across Nigeria and beyond? Yes ! But behind the music is a man who has faced serious life’s challenges. He survived cancer and still lives with its effects. He survived being kidnapped more than once. He has carried silent burdens while continuing to serve God in His Church. Through all of this, he has remained committed to his vocation and to sacred music. Sir Jude Nnam is 60. Sixty years of life. Decades of service. A lifetime of self-giving. We often say we should appreciate people while they are still here. This is one of those moments and the reason why I am lending my voice to this call. If his music has helped you pray, strengthened your faith, or supported your choir. If you have ever felt lifted by his compositions, this is an opportunity to support him in return. You may assume that someone of his stature “has everything.” But fame in Church music (especially Catholic Church in Africa) is not wealth. Ministry is not luxury. And after the illness and trauma he now faces, your support matters. A GoFundMe link has been created by his team. You may also give directly to his management company’s account. The process is secure, and the support will reach him. Let us stand by him and his family now. Thank you for whatever you are able to give. gofund.me/16574db51 Maestro Managers Limited 1015747403 Zenith Bank Plc. If you are unable to contribute financially at the moment, that is completely fine. Please help by sharing this message. Someone on your timeline may be in a position to give. For more enquiries, contact: [email protected], Osita +1 (347) 200-7253 and Innocent +234 803 943 4856 for Nigerian contact.