Popular gospel artiste, Obie Boma Pepple, also known as Greatness Obie, says his latest single, ‘Lord Have Mercy’ was a message of hope to a traumatized global community and a panacea for a world in crisis.  

Greatness, who said this in a chat with Kristina Reports Entertainment, explained that with the COVID-19 pandemic and diverse economic challenges plaguing the world, there was the need for a message that brings comfort and compassion for the people of all races, tribes and social status.

‘Lord Have Mercy’, which has received several positive reviews, is his fourth single, following on the heels of ‘Baba Of My Life’, ‘Idi Ebube (You Are Great)’, and ‘Wanyanabo Idugbam (Our Creator, You Are Great)’, and his only album yet, ‘Melody Praise’, a praise medley comprising five English, two Igbo, and three Ibani songs.

The trained machinist turned gospel artiste explained that the inspiration for ‘Lord Have Mercy’ came from his reflections on what is happening around the world currently and his understanding of the injunctions by God Almighty that in times of tribulation, His people should seek His face, ask for His mercy, and be assured that He will hear, forgive their sins and heal their land.  

“The Lord has said that His people should pray and ask for forgiveness and that He’s going to hear us from heaven and forgive us our sins and He’s going to heal our land.”

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“So, because of the situation we are in, I got that Scripture and the inspiration for the song came in. It is more like putting out the emotional template people should have around the world, just to encourage them that in everything God is still God and that He is a caring God also.”

He urged other gospel artistes to consider producing music that carries the message of hope to soothe the frayed nerves of the people across the world, referencing ‘WayMaker’ by Sinach, which is currently making waves globally during the worldwide protests that followed the grievous murder of Africna-American, George Floyd.

“Songs like this can help in a crisis period like this. I just saw one now, ‘Waymaker’ by Sinach, they are singing it in protest they are doing now for George Floyd who was killed by the police in the US”

Greatness Obie in Pictures

“This is a song that once we come together as a people and we ask for mercy because the Bible says by the mercy of the Lord we are not consumed and His mercies are new everyday. It is a song that many people will be touched and like the song said let the Spirit move and heal our land.”

“Now there are things that are not of God which we will need the Spirit of God to move and for healing to begin to take place.”   He expressed appreciation to DJ Ayi of Silverbird Rhythm 93.7FM who gave the hit single, ‘Lord have Mercy’ its first airing on radio, saying that his support, which he described as enormous, has been critical to the visibility the hit single has received since its release.