Annabel Joseph Ojoboh Brings Soul and Classical Melody to Men’s Porch Awards 2025

By Motolani Alake

The Men’s Porch Legacy Award held on 22nd March 2025, the event celebrated men who have demonstrated exceptional leadership, resilience and impact in their communities and beyond. Distinguished men from diverse walks of life were celebrated in a hall filled with smiles, applause, and laughter. Yet, the most unforgettable moment of the evening came not from an award or a speech, but from music.

When Annabel Joseph Ojoboh, a gifted Nigerian-born classical singer based in the United Kingdom, stepped on stage, the atmosphere shifted. Her voice, full of calm, beauty, and warmth, held the audience in a spell. With each note, she reminded everyone that while awards celebrate achievement, music touches hearts in ways nothing else can.

At the Men’s Porch Legacy Awards 2025, Annabel’s set was simple but stirring. She performed two timeless songs: You Raise Me Up by Brendan Graham and Rolf Løvland, and Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen. The first, filled with encouragement and hope, perfectly matched the theme of the night, celebrating men of legacy and strength. Her delivery was both powerful and tender, echoing the resilience and achievements of the honourees. The second, Hallelujah, carried the room into a space of quiet reflection. As her soulful voice filled the hall, silence fell, broken only by the emotions her singing stirred. Together, the songs struck a balance of uplift and contemplation, joy and reverence.

Annabel’s performance stood out not only for her choice of songs but also for the way she carried them. As a classical music singer, she brought with her the hallmarks of the genre, rich vocal control, clear diction, and emotive phrasing, infusing each note with depth and meaning. These classical elements gave her renditions of You Raise Me Up and Hallelujah a refined elegance that elevated the entire atmosphere of the awards. Her voice, trained in the discipline of classical technique yet warm with personal expression, illuminated the evening and reminded the audience that music, when performed with such grace, can enlighten and ennoble a celebration.

Her personal journey is equally inspiring. Annabel Joseph began her musical journey in Nigeria. She trained and performed with some of the nation’s finest choirs, including the Benin Choral Society, the Philharmonic of Nigeria, Bel Canto Chorale, and The Harmonic Ensemble Nigeria. She was also part of Stars Ensemble Nigeria, which won Choir of the Year at the Nigerian Choral Music Awards in early 2023. These experiences gave her a strong foundation and shaped her into the versatile artist she is today.

Since moving to the UK, Annabel has continued to flourish. In Bradford, she has graced notable stages such as the Bradford African Festival of Arts (BAFA), the Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust Mental Health Poetry Fundraiser, the Bradford City Council Excellence Service Awards amongst others. She is also a valuable member of the BBC Leeds Bantam of the Opera Choir where she has been instrumental in helping other choir members build their confidence and is looked upon as a section leader within the soprano section. Annabel’s performances often bridge classical and popular music, earning her admiration for her ability to move audiences with both power and tenderness.

From Nigerian choir rehearsals to UK concert stages, from student training to professional artistry, Annabel has carried discipline, passion, and resilience into every step. She embodies the values of love, service, and perseverance, becoming not just a performer but also a role model for young people, especially young women, who dream of following their passions.

The Men’s Porch Legacy Awards 2025 was already a grand celebration, but Annabel Joseph Ojoboh made it unforgettable. She honoured the awardees not through speeches, but through song, giving the night a gift of music that spoke of strength, faith, and gratitude. Her performance proved again that when music meets purpose, the result is powerful and timeless.

Annabel continues to shine, and her voice carries not only beauty but also meaning. On that stage in Bradford, she reminded everyone that art is essential to legacy, and that music, when poured from the heart, can turn a celebration into true inspiration.