EKWERE M N'OTU CHINEKE

When it comes time for the Profession of Faith, keeping the congregation engaged through the entire Nicene Creed can be a challenge. Jude Nnam’s "Ekwere M N'otu Chineke" solves this beautifully by structuring the Igbo Creed as a dynamic call-and-response. Instead of a single long recitation, the choir carries the narrative verses while the assembly anchors the prayer with a recurring, confident refrain: "Ekwere m n'otu Chineke, Nna, onye j'ike nile" (I believe in one God, the Father almighty).

The arrangement is highly sensitive to the liturgical weight of the words. As the text reaches the mystery of the Incarnation and the crucifixion, the score shifts into a solemn, a cappella section ("O wer'ahu na Virgin Maria..."). The instruments drop away, leaving only the raw, unaccompanied voices of the choir to reflect on Christ’s sacrifice.

This quiet reverence is immediately broken by the triumphant return of the accompaniment for the resurrection. The song introduces a second, joyful refrain—"O bilitere n'onwu" (He rose from the dead)—lifting the mood of the entire church. It is a brilliant piece of liturgical writing that guides the faithful through the core beliefs of the Mass with genuine emotional depth.