Dr Ofweneke Reveals How a Slap from His Dad Ended His Gospel Career

Content creator and podcaster Dr Ofweneke has made a powerful revelation about his career path.

During a segment on his YouTube channel, Dr Ofweneke TV, titled "Lessons at 30”, he explained how his father’s reaction to his musical dreams steered him away from gospel singing forever.

The comedian confessed that he was "never to do comedy". His original ambition was to become a gospel musician.

Dreams of Praise and Worship

Dr Ofweneke frequently led praise and worship songs. He did this both in his Christian Union (CU) and while attending Winners Chapel.

He knew that if he entered the creative industry, it would be as an artist.

While in Class 8, he began saving up. He collected pocket money and lunch money. He used these savings to buy a secondhand keyboard.

He rehearsed a performance for his father. He considers his father his hero. The piece he prepared was the intro and ending of the Don Moen song, "Hallelujah". He noted that the performance came out perfect.

“I put the keyboard down and I started playing the intro,” he recalled.

The Kibera Incident

At the time, the family was living in Kibera. Dr Ofweneke’s father was struggling severely to ensure there was food on the table.

The young performer waited for the right moment. He allowed his dad to return home and finish dinner. He put the keyboard down and began playing the intro.

The reaction was immediate and physical. Dr Ofweneke described receiving a slap: “The kind of slap that I received paaah”.

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His father challenged his focus. He demanded to know why his son was occupied with music.

“You are a candidate, and this is what you’re doing. I’m struggling to make... I think that is when my dream of ever thinking of becoming a musician ended.”

Dr Ofweneke believes the force of the rejection physically altered his voice.

"I think my dad slapped the vocals out of me because I don’t think my voice has ever been that perfect ever again".

This incident caused him to forget about singing entirely.

The Success Mandate

Following the story, the comedian offered a key life lesson. He stated that he likely forgot about singing because he listened to his father’s voice.

He questioned how many times people have quit after being told they were "not good enough".

Having been “16 years in the game,” he advised listeners that external negativity must be ignored to achieve success.

“The most important voice is the voice that speaks in you, not the voice that speaks into you".

He clarified that the voice speaking within is actually God, through the Holy Spirit.

Dr Ofweneke urged his audience to invest in "invisible cotton" for their ears. They must silence their ears to what the world says.

He advised blocking out negative remarks, regardless of the source. This includes a brother, mother, pastor, teacher, or spouse.