12 Years of Wonders: How an ‘Expressway Escape’ Birthed a Global Worship Mandate

Nifemi Peters

For many, the Lekki-Ajah Expressway is simply a busy stretch of asphalt, but for Evangelist Daodu Gbenga, it serves as the rugged altar where a global vision was born. As the Feast of Praise marks its 12th year of non-stop operations, the convener has opened up about the harrowing “way of escape” that transformed a family tragedy into a spiritual movement.

The journey began with a horrific car crash on the Lekki-Ajah axis that left Evangelist Gbenga’s vehicle in ruins. While the physical wreckage suggested a grim end for the occupants, the Evangelist describes their survival as a miraculous “divine bypass”.

“It was a near-death experience, but God Almighty made a way of escape for me and my family,” he recounted. However, the miracle was followed by a persistent spiritual “vibration”. Twice in one year, a divine voice issued a singular, clear command: Start praising Him for what He has done.

What started as a private act of gratitude quickly gained momentum under the guidance of spiritual fathers like Pastor Henry Stephen and Papa Kayode Abiara. Over the last 12 years, the mandate has evolved from a small thanksgiving gathering into a powerhouse stage for Africa’s gospel elite.

The festival has hosted legendary ministers such as Mama Bola Are, Opelope Anointing, and Tope Alabi, alongside contemporary icons like Mike Abdul, Woli Arole, and Woli Agba. Reflecting on the growth, Evangelist Gbenga noted that the program has only grown “bigger and better” with every passing year.

To celebrate this 12-year milestone, the 2026 edition is set to break new ground with a schedule designed to take the message to the streets before returning to the sanctuary:

• April 19th: A massive Street Evangelism kicks off the anniversary celebrations.
• April 22nd – 23rd: A high-octane Revival led by Pastor Tunde Bakare, Bishop Tunde Bakare, Reverend Shope Rau, and Prophet Israel Ogundipe (Global Genesis).
• April 24th: The grand Praise Night, starting at 8:00 PM and running until dawn.

In a unique twist for the 12th anniversary, the convener revealed that the final praise night will feature the use of “horns” to invoke a heavenly atmosphere.

“We are using the same horns that David used then to bring the angels down,” Evangelist Gbenga explained, signaling that the 2026 “Feast of Praise” aims to be more than just a concert—it is intended to be a celestial encounter.

As the gates open this April, the “Feast of Praise” stands as a living testament to the fact that God can turn a scene of “palpable terror” into a global fountain of “wonders”.