Queen Ure Okozie is a banker, songwriter, musician and now a pastor. The beautiful woman was once married to hip-hop musician Soul E but the marriage couldn't stand the test of time as it crashed like a pack of cards. The light-complexioned lady spoke with Bayo Adeoye.

Lots of people were surprised when they read it in the newspapers that you are in another relationship with another younger lover despite what you went through with Soul E.

The story was not true; I am not in any relationship. No, I am not looking for any man.

So since you left Soul E you have not met a man?

No, I have not. But can't we talk about something else?

Will you accept Soul E if he comes back?

(Laughs) I don't want to talk about that aspect of my life.

But have you forgiven him?

He didn't offend me. I'm a Christian, and just understood that we were not meant for each other. Period.

What's your next plan for marriage?

I don't have any plan because things like that happen naturally. A woman is not supposed to be looking for a suitor. Ladies should just live their lives and marriage will happen naturally. I'm having a great time.

Are you telling us that it is not in your plan to get married anymore?

No, that is not what I said. I'm still young and beautiful; I still meet with suitors who are so much interested in marrying me, but I'm not ready yet. I will definitely take a shot at marriage once again. But not now.

As a lady who was once married to a very active man, do you miss sex after leaving Soul E?

I don't miss sex. I am too occupied to miss or think about sex.

What inspired you to establish a church?

I have always been a church girl. I grew up in an Anglican Church and I worship there each time I travel to the East. I believe that God is in every congregation and everywhere. Each church and ministry is unique in itself. I heard about Jesus in a particular way when I was 10 years old. I got born- again when I was in form one at the Federal Government College, Owerri. I was a chapel prefect then. I grew to a point where my message had love as the fulcrum. There is no condemnation about it and I am trying to remind people that God is their father. I have had a passion for serving God right from my childhood.

Could you give us an idea of the number of people in your church?

We are less than 100 members, but we are growing. Most of us stopped at when we received Jesus Christ, but I believe that the heart-beat of Jesus Himself is not just for us to recognize Him as the Saviour or the Light. He wants us to know that He is the light and we are also the light. He is the Son of God and we also are the sons of God. In other words, you and I are divinity wrapped in human clothes.

What is the secret of your beautiful looks?

I am grateful to God for His favour. So, He is at work in my life.

As a beautiful single lady, your personality will always attract a lot of male members to your church. How do you cope with men?

Absolutely, some of them come out of curiousity to see what I can offer.

Have you had any encounter with any of them?

Of course!

As a songwriter, musician and pastor, how do you cope with the challenges?

All the things I do are intertwined. Everybody has spiritual responsibilities and that is part of life. On Sunday morning, people live their homes and go to church, just like I do. They also go to work and they have other talents and hobbies like I do. The difference is that I am not ignoring any of these talents. People should bring out their talents too. Music, poetry and reading are my hobbies. I read and write a lot. I have written a book, Pray without ceasing, and so many other books are on the way. I'm also a scientist; I studied Physics in the university and I'm in the process of doing something in quantum physics. I'm glad that I'm able to make out time to do all those things.

Who really is Ure?

Ure is a very simple person who wants everybody around her to be happy.

Could you tell me a little about your background?

I'm from Umuahia in Abia State. My dad died a few years ago. He was a medical doctor and a politician. He was a two-time Minister of Culture and Health during the Gowon regime. I attended the Federal Government College, Owerri. I later proceeded to the University of Jos in Plateau State where I studied Physics. I came to Lagos after my youth service to work at Diamond Bank Plc. I moved over to Zenith Bank Plc from Diamond Bank. Then, I joined Platinum, which is now called Bank PHB. From there, I moved to First Atlantic Bank, now known as First Inland Bank.

What was your growing up like?

Growing up was beautiful. I'm the only girl and I've three elder brothers. So, I grew up happy. I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth and I think the silver spoon is still there. I was pampered, favoured and honoured because I was the only girl and the last child. So, I had all the attention from my father. Maybe that is why I love attention.

What is your greatest achievement so far?

I live my life happily as it comes every day. But one thing I love so much is my ministry; I'm a pastor and my ministry is in Omole Estate, Lagos. It is a church. For me, it is so awesome that I have the opportunity to share with people the principles to live a beautiful life. God wants us to live a wonderful life. Suffering is unnecessary. Struggling is not part of the game. But when you don't know how to live an easy and rosy life, you begin to think that God wants you to suffer. It's wonderful for people to gather to worship in my church and hear me speak. Some of them come to my church out of curiosity, wondering what I have to offer. They're blessed when they come because we're like a family and the spirit is sweet. So, the church is the sweetest part of my life.

Would you like to act in a movie in the future?

There's a movie that I was part of. It was just something I did to help a friend. I was around and they asked me to take that role. Every talent that I have, like music and so on, is a thing that I wouldn't do for commercial purposes.

Right from my childhood, I've been singing. I write songs and I'm sure that I'll record them and shoot the videos in the future and will enjoy watching them not for commercial purposes.

We have a theatre part in the ministry which we're working on. We'll use drama and film productions to project the gospel the way we understand it. All these things will come in due season.

Are you planning to package secular or gospel music?

I write songs and I don't define songs that way because I believe that every song comes from inspiration. If Jesus' name is not in a song, it doesn't mean that the song doesn't come from God. Some of the songs I'm planning to record may not have Jesus' name in them.