CHIDINMA

"Chidinma" (God is good) is a vibrant Igbo thanksgiving hymn by Jude Nnam, widely sung during the Offertory procession in Nigerian Catholic parishes. The piece is built around a joyful, polyphonic refrain that praises God as the ultimate giver of beautiful gifts ("Onye onyinye"). As the choir weaves through the lively, overlapping harmony parts, the song captures the celebratory spirit of bringing one's gifts and gratitude to the altar.

The verses draw deeply on scriptural themes of trust and devotion. The opening stanzas beautifully echo Psalm 130, comparing the soul's longing for the Lord to a watchman waiting for the dawn ("Dika onye nche si atu anya chi o bu bo"). Later verses ask what we can truly offer God—is it money or worldly wealth? ("Obu ego? Obu aku n'uba?")—before concluding that a thankful heart is the best response to God's overwhelming goodness.

With its dynamic call-and-response sections, including a striking duet in the third verse, the arrangement keeps the choir engaged and the congregation moving. It is a perfect fit for moments of thanksgiving, reminding everyone present that God's blessings fill our eyes and our hearts.