Biography of Minister Temitope Monique

Popularly known as Monique, Minister Temitope Monique (Nee Fabiyi) is a talented Nigerian female gospel artiste, songwriter and influencer.

Monique is from ishaga Lagos State. She was born to the family of Mr and Mrs Simeon Adebisi Fabiyi. Her father is an Engineer and also the Osi Oba of Ishaga land and her mother is a business woman. Monique is the last of nine children.

 

Growing up, Minister Monique attended Iju St. Kisito Primary school and Iju Grammar school where she used to lead songs in morning assemblies and the school choir. She attended Lagos State University but was forced to withdraw due to her constant engagement caused by her involvement in music, so she dropped out of school to face music squarely. But her thirst for higher education came back again, and she decided to enroll into Yaba College of Technology where she graduate in Business Administration and also hot a certificate in Computer Science.

Monique started her music career at the age of six as a lead choir at Christ Miracle Church and left for Abundant Life Church to continue her music ministry between the years 1997-2000. It was here that I stopped going to church because there were always bickering and distrust among the choristers. I was one of the three people leading praise worship. Because of this, those I met there felt like 'who is this lady that came from nowhere but suddenly became prominent?' It got so bad that I threw in the towel. I lost passion for going to church and then concentrated on shows and concerts. It was in one of such concerts organized by Pastor Paul Adefarasin of House on the Rock that she got more recognized. Minister Monique also took part in the 1999 Circle of Stars competition where she emerged the overall winner.

After her break from church, Minister Monique  returned to join the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Although with irregular attendance, she became more serious with God when she discovered that the congregation was unlike others and the pastor-in-charge urged me to take music more seriously. It was in this process that I discovered that music is the ministry given to me by God. Anytime we had a special programme in the church like deliverance or healing, people used to fall down whenever I sang. Even this happens during Sunday services; I couldn't believe it. Now, I have resigned myself to life in the music ministry, totally submitted myself to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Minister Monique got born again in 1994 and rededicated myself to Christ in 2006.

She took part in "Circle of Stars competition" organised by Gold-myne international in the year 1999 where she emerged the overall winner. She has recorded various singles for many organisation like Kennis music, Primetime Africa e.t.c. she is currently the music director of the Redeemed Christian church of God (RCCG) his Presence Assembly.

Monique is a name given to me by my grandmother who is based in France. My father, Engineer Simeon Adebisi Fabiyi is the Osi Oba of Ishagaland. My mother is into business. She is the last born in a family of nine children, six boys and three girls.

Growing up, she attended St. Kisito Primary School, Iju where I used to lead the school in songs during the morning assembly. I left for Iju Grammar School where I continued singing both at morning assembly and in the school choir. This afforded me the opportunity to meet many groups from other schools at one competition or the other. It was at such competitions that I met members of Midnight Crew. Today we are closely knitted. They play a major role in my music career. Bouqui, the gospel rapper, is also another great friend of mine. We met years ago and I thank God that the relationship continues to be fruitful.

The message sank in me that in the family no one was allowed to misbehave. Because of this, I had no boyfriend throughout my secondary school days and even in tertiary institution. This is why I don't have stories of heartbreaks, disappointments, double dating and all sorts that most ladies tell about love. The first love in my life is my husband. He is my friend, my lover and husband.

 

Read: Pastor Paul Adefarasin Lose Mum at 98

 

As an established artiste, my husband was helping me in the studio to put my songs together. It was this that led to our closeness. And when my brothers noticed this, they threatened to deal with him. I was surprised the day he came to our house and pleaded with my brothers. He boldly told them that whatever the case, he planned to take me to the altar. This was a surprise to everyone. Eventually, he had his way. The courtship was allowed and the marriage took place in 2005. Since then, I have formally changed my name to Mrs. Temitope Monique Lawal. We are blessed with two beautiful children, Eyimofe, a girl and Jamal, a boy.

All my school days, I saw my involvement in music as just a show of interest and talent. This took me out of Lagos State University where I was forced to withdrawal due to multiple engagements that took my days and nights. It was one of my friendly lecturers who advised me to drop one for the other or I would fail in both. I dropped out of school and faced music squarely. But because of my thirst for higher education, I again enrolled at Yaba College of Technology where I eventually graduated in Business Administration. Together with a certificate in Computer Science, I got a job in Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB). Interestingly, what happened to me at Lagos State University surfaced again while at GTB. It happened that I couldn't concentrate much on banking because of concert engagements. Many ministries, organizations and churches were inviting me to feature in their concerts or programmes. This led to many financial loses that eventually forced me out of banking.

 

Read: Biography of Pastor Ifeanyi Adefarasin

I did a re-mix of Oba-Gbogbo Aye (King of the Universe) early this year.

My husband too is a musician, he is known as Rasque and the brain behind such secular hits as Soji (Awake) and Ati Ready (We Are Ready). Both are successful albums.

 

Minister Temitope Monique Lawal is happily married to her heartthrob. They got married in 2005 and together, they are blessed with two beautiful children, Eyimofe, a girl and Jamal, a boy.

Songs and Musical Releases by Minister Temitope Monique

Minister Temitope Monique has released the following sounds to the body of Christ

• New Story (First Album) - 2009. It has just four songs. 
• Atobi Ju (The Almighty) - 2011. 
• re-mix of Oba-Gbogbo Aye (King of the Universe)
• Yahweh
• Onyeoma
• You are God
• Not for Sale
  
• Power Flow

My husband, Rasque, a musician, he is known as Rasque and the brain behind such secular hits as Soji (Awake) and Ati Ready (We Are Ready).

Minister Temitope Monique is active on social media. You can connect with her via her official handles on Facebook (Monique Temitope Fabiyi), Instagram and X.

 

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