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

Shola Allyson Finally Reveals Why She Refuses To Reference Jesus In Her Songs [VIDEO]

Published

2 days ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

Nigerian songstress, Shola Allyson, has finally revealed why she does not mention the name of Jesus in all her songs.

Recall that Allyson, who is regarded as a gospel singer, was dragged on social media in March 2025 for not directly referencing ‘Jesus’ in all her songs.

Reacting to her critics in a post on X, the songstress stated that “No one can bully me into joining their darkness that looks like light because indolent souls find comfort in it”.

Finally revealing her reason for not mentioning Jesus in her songs, Shola Allyson on Saturday during her latest interview on Oyinmomo TV, stated that Jesus did not ask her to do PR for him.

She said “I’m not a religious singer. As I am, I have never introduced myself as a gospel singer. My name is Shola Allyson. I’m a singer”.

Interviewer; “Some people said you don’t mention ‘Jesus’ name’ in all your songs”.

She quickly responded “Jesus did not instruct us to mention his name in songs nor did Jesus ask us to do PR for Him”.

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Entertainment

With G.O.A.T Concert, Wizkid Set To Shut Down Tafawa Balewa Square

Published

2 days ago

December 6, 2025

Editor

Afrobeats star and Starboy Record head honcho, Ibrahim Ayodeji Balogun, well known as Wizkid, is set to bring down the iconic Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) with his much-anticipated ‘Greatest Of All Time (G.O.A.T) Experience Concert’, a show already being positioned as one of the headline shows of this year’s ‘Detty December’ season.

Known for electrifying live shows and a catalogue packed with global hits, Wizkid concert experience is always a cultural phenomenon, with jaw-dropping performances, surprise collaborations, and an unforgettable connection with the audience.

Scheduled to hold on Sunday, December 28, the G.O.A.T experience concert according to industry insiders, is “long overdue and perfectly timed.”

For fans, the concert feels less like another show and more like a long-awaited homecoming from one of Africa’s most influential music exports. Recall that the Essence hitmaker has spent the past few years touring internationally and expanding his sound; hence, the G.O.A.T concert gives him a chance to reconnect physically with the city that raised him.

Lagos remains at the centre of his mythology: Surulere roots, mainland grind, and the early hustle that shaped him to be the superstar the world now knows.

Speaking on the preparations, the organisers said the G.O.A.T Concert is designed to celebrate Wizkid’s evolution over the past decade—from his breakout as a teenage sensation to his transformation into one of Africa’s most influential global artistes.

According to them, the goal is to deliver an “unforgettable night,” combining music, culture, and immersive production.

Entertainment

I’ve Helped More People Inusic Industry Than Olamide, Don Jazzy, Others – Portable Claims

Published

4 days ago

December 4, 2025

Editor

Controversial Nigerian singer Portable has claimed that he has assisted more people in the music industry than his colleagues Olamide, Don Jazzy, Wizkid and Davido.

Speaking in a video broadcast, the Zazu crooner stated that his assistance is not only limited to those in the music industry but also extends to the less privileged.

He explained that, unlike most of his colleagues who are egoistic, he associates freely with ordinary people and even identifies with them on social media.

Portable said, “Many Nigerian celebrities don’t post their fans even if they dance to their songs or promote them. But I repost every positive video about me.

“Even with your money, many celebrities won’t let you feature them as an upcoming artist. But I help people freely. I have helped more people in the music industry than Don Jazzy, Olamide, Wizkid, and Davido.

“Help is when you see a homeless person and take them home, shelter them, clothe and feed them. You also take them to their first studio session and pay for it. Anything other than that, you are just doing business. A lot of the people claiming that they are helping others in the music industry are just doing business.

“Most of the time, when the artists they are using for business decide to be independent or move forward, they label them ungrateful. How are they ungrateful? You only used them for business.”