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.

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“…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.