Entertainment

Govt, CAN Announce Edo Gospel Art and Creative Award, Winners To Walk Away With N50m

Published

2 years ago

August 22, 2023

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

In its bid to harnessing and promoting talents from the religion circle particularly Christianity, the Godwin Obaseki-Edo State government has launched what its called Edo State Gospel Art and Creative Festival/Award (EdoGof).

The festival, to be held in partnership with Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Edo State branch, is aimed at promoting young hidden talents in churches across the three senatorial districts of the state and the 18 local governments.

In a press conference held to herald the festival/award on Tuesday, Chairman of the festival/award committee and Senior Special Assistant to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Religion Matters, Osagie Erhunmwunse, said his principal conceived the idea of promoting talents from the church after rendition by young Chieftain artistes at the thanksgiving service of the immediate past chairman of CAN, Edo State branch, moved him (Obaseki)

He added that having moved by their performances at the thanksgiving service and the performance that took place during the birthday service of Arch Bishop Margaret Benson Idahosa, Obaseki made up his mind to support talents under the umbrella of EdoGof, adding that N50m prize has been placed for winners at different categories.

“…having witnessed what happened during the May 14th thanksgiving service of a successful tenure of the immediate past Chairman of CAN, Edo State branch, Bishop Dr. Oriname Oyonnude Kure, particularly how gospel singers showcased their god-given talents, His Excellency was so moved and said it’s high time to harness creativity in the gospel,” he added.

The SSA continued: “Last month, during the birthday service of our mother in the faith, Arch Bishop Margaret Benson Idahosa, His Excellency was there and again reiterated his commitment to harnessing creative talent from the church. And in his words: he is going to put a N50m prize for the winners. This prize is for the finalists, that is, those that will qualify to the final stage.”

According Erhunmwunse, to kick start the festival/award, the Governor directed that the talent-hunt start from the 18 local governments in the state before it collapses to senatorial level and finally to the state level which is the final stage, adding that nine winners from different categories would emerge and share the N50m.

“Nine persons are going to be competing to have their share of the N50m,” he added.

He added that, at the senatorial level, 27 winners are expected to take prizes home, emphasizing that their take home would not be part of the N50m.

He, however, said the modalities on how the N50m naira is going to be shared among the prospective winners at the final is being put in place by the committee saddled with the responsibility of organising the award, adding that the sharing formula would be made known at due course

He explained: “The senatorial contest is expected to climax on October 1st, and His Excellency is going to be having a very big event to celebrate the winners. We expect to have 27 winners at the senatorial level.

“The competition is expected to produce at the senatorial level, ‘first place traditional ‘; ‘first place contemporary’; and another ‘first place classical.’ This is how we are going to have it in the soloist and dancer.”

According to the Chairman, the committee is presently focusing on music and dance for the festival, adding: “The plan for now is to focus on just two aspects of this creative hub – music and dance. part of our plans is to ensure there is inclusiveness in every aspect that made up the body of Christ. For the music category we have the traditional, contemporary, the classical.”

Erhunmwunse explained that the senatorial competition is named after the immediate past chairman of CAN in the State, Bishop Kure, while the state competition is named after Arch Bishop Margaret Benson Idahosa.

He, therefore, urged choir members from different churches in the state and other independent choir groups to seize the opportunity to apply for the festival and compete.

Entertainment

Iyabo Ojo Calls On Wizkid, Tiwa Savage To Help Seek Justice For Mohbad

Published

2 days ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo, has urged singers Wizkid and Tiwa Savage to join the ongoing campaign to get justice for their late colleague, Mohbad.

She explained that the late singer was inspired by them and other top artists to become a musician.

Ojo said it would be unfair if top artists fail to protect their younger colleagues who look up to them.

Speaking during a recent Instagram livestream with fans, the movie star stated that the Nigerian music industry cannot afford to allow what legendary musicians Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and 2Baba went through in the hands of record label executives and the authorities to happen to the new generational artists.

She said, “Wizkid and Tiwa Savage, I need you. These young boys, they come from the slums and ghettos just like most of you did, and they were inspired by you guys to become artists. And they have so much talent. Music is one of the talents that has put Nigeria on the map… These children are making us proud.

“Nigeria is blessed with talents, and we cannot allow any cult or anyone pull them down. We cannot allow anybody pull those children down because their music is what’s giving us joy… We will not allow what Fela Kuti, King Sunny Ade, and 2Baba went through in the hands of record label executives and the authorities to happen to new generational artists.”

However, the rapper and record label executive Naira Marley has repeatedly debunked allegations of his involvement in his former signee Mohbad’s death.

A court in Lagos State recently dismissed Mohbad’s father’s suit against Naira Marley and his associate, Sam Larry, stating that there was insufficient evidence to link them directly to the death.

However, investigation into the singer’s controversial death remains inconclusive two years after.

Entertainment

Mohbad: What I Told Naira Marley Regarding Iyabo Ojo – VeryDarkMan

Published

2 days ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Self-styled activist Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, has revealed that he advised singer Naira Marley to take up a cyberbullying case against actress Iyabo Ojo for her role in dragging his name into the controversies surrounding his former signee Mohbad’s death, but he insisted on leaving her to divine judgment.

He recalled how Naira Marley later changed his mind after Iyabo Ojo allegedly apologised to him at the Lagos State Commissioner of Police office after they (VeryDarkMan and Naira Marley) had planned he should charge her for defamation and ruining his music career.

Speaking in a recent video broadcast via his TikTok page, VDM stated that he was unhappy with Naira Marley’s decision to forgive Iyabo Ojo and allow God deliver justice.

“I told Naira Marley to detain Iyabo Ojo but he said Allah will judge. I told him to lose his cool the moment we enter the Police Commissioner’s office and say Iyabo Ojo’s defamatory remarks have ruined his career and tarnished his image. He said okay, but when he got there and Iyabo said apologised in Yoruba, Naira Marley immediately forgave her. I almost died where I was sitting. I was so upset and disappointed.

“When Samlarry saw that Naira Marley has accepted Iyabo Ojo’s apology, he protesting against it. I was signalling Naira Marley not to accept the apology because I know Iyabo Ojo won’t keep to her end of the agreement. Samlarry shed tears,” he recalled.

Recall that the court acquitted Naira Marley and his associate Sam Larry of complicity in singer Mohbad’s death, four months ago.

Entertainment

Mohbad: You’re Manipulator, Stop Deceiving Nigerians – Portable Blasts VeryDarkMan

Published

2 days ago

August 5, 2025

Editor

Singer, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, has lambasted self-styled activist Martins Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, for constantly stirring controversies with the death of singer Mohbad, who died in September 2023 under highly controversial circumstances.

The ‘Zazu’ crooner described VDM as “a manipulator” and urged him to stop deceiving Nigerians.

Portable also slammed VeryDarkMan over his constant attacks on actress Iyabo Ojo, stressing that the activist is jeopardising the ‘Justice for Mohbad’ campaign and not the actress.

He lamented that VDM gained attention for demanding justice for Mohbad but now appears to have turned against the late singer.

Speaking in a recent video broadcast, Portable said, “VeryDarkMan, you came out deceiving Nigerians that you want justice for Mohbad. You’re a manipulator. Now, you’re dragging Iyabo Ojo. What’s really her offense?

“You’re a manipulator. You claimed you want justice for Mohbad, so why are you now going against Mohbad? Leave Mohbad and let him rest in peace. Why are you dragging the dead? You are the one who first alleged that Mohbad was killed by some certain people, and you’re now making a U-turn.

“Are you the one who will tell Nigerians who is good or not? We know people who are good people. We also know the people who bullied Mohbad. Stop deceiving Nigerians.”