Nigerian singer Michael Adebayo, popularly known as Ruger, has shared his emotional experience at the Celestial Church of Christ during the New Year crossover service in Lagos.
Ruger, who grew up worshipping in the church, had missed the annual service for the past two years due to international engagements. This year, he was determined not to miss it and instructed his manager to cancel any shows that clashed with the event.
Speaking during the service, the Asiwaju crooner said, “Happy New Year to everybody. Today, I am so happy to be here. My manager texted me and told me I have one show tonight. I told him to cancel it. I didn’t care because I had to be in church. I missed the crossover service in 2022 and 2023, but not this year.”
Ruger, visibly moved, shared how he felt God’s presence during the service and experienced an emotional breakthrough.
“I thank God. I have not cried in like four years. Today, I saw God again, and I cried. I thank God for my life and for everyone here,” he said.
Ruger also expressed gratitude to the church community, saying, “This is a very caring church. If this church is not great, great people would not come out of it.”
Ruger’s testimony sparked various reactions on social media.
Zach commented, “So you go start to dey sing gospel song now abi?”
Ola asked humorously, “Please, Ruger, tell us, is God a man or woman?”
Another user, Sheggs, joked, “Person wey get one eye say he see God, and me wey get two eyes never see Him. Oya nau!”
However, some questioned his sincerity, with Sodiq saying, “Which God you see? All these churches with lies.”
Others defended him, with G.r.a.c.h.i. Meme saying, “2025 go hot. Everybody dey serious.”
Ruger’s music career began in 2021 when he signed with D’Prince’s Jonzing World Record, an affiliate of Mavin Records. In February 2024, he left to establish his own record label, Blown Boy Entertainment.
The singer has received numerous accolades, including the AFRIMA Best Newcomer Award in 2021 and the Best New Artiste award at the 2023 Soundcity MVP Awards.
