Entertainment

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

Published

3 years ago

August 22, 2023

Editor

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

I’m Done – Peter Okoye Dumps Shared Birth Date With Twin Paul Okoye, Picks New Date

Published

20 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

Peter Okoye, the Nigerian singer and songwriter popularly known as Mr P, has officially announced a change to his birthday celebration date.

This is an action which is now seen as a deep break from his twin brother, Paul Okoye.

In a post shared via his X account on Monday, the artist declared that November 18 will no longer be recognized as his birthday.

“I’m making it official. November 18th is no longer my birthday celebration date. Please note that I will not be accepting any messages or gifts on that day,” he wrote.

He added, “My birthday will now be celebrated on November 30th. This is a personal decision, and I truly appreciate your understanding.”

The announcement comes amid a lingering and increasingly public feud involving his twin brother Paul and their elder brother and former manager, Jude Okoye.

Members of the once known as P-Square, Peter and Paul went their separate ways following intense disputes over management, finances, and allegations of betrayal.

Despite their much-publicized reunion in 2021, problems resurfaced, with Peter accusing Paul and Jude of marginalization and financial misconduct, while Paul countered by alleging that Peter reported them to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The long-running tension escalated in June 2025 when Peter declared he had completely severed ties with his family particularly his brothers.

Entertainment

Davido Confirms Joint Project With Chris Brown

Published

20 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

Nigerian Afrobeats singer, Davido has confirmed that he has a joint project with American R&B star, Chris Brown scheduled for release next year.

Speaking in a recent episode of the Swift Conversations podcast, Davido explained that he is now focused on making more African-inclined, however, he’s still open to collaborating with American artists.

“The music I am making now is very African. In this next project, I am working with a lot of my original producers from back home.

“However, I am still an American so definitely there’s going to be collaborations. Me and Chris Brown got an album coming next year,” he stated.

Davido and Chris Brown first collaborated on the hit track ‘Blow My Mind’ in 2019. Since then the duo have collaborated on about five songs.

They have been hinting on a joint project for sometime now, with Davido first teasing it in 2023.

He revealed that they have a lot of unreleased songs together.

Entertainment

Davido Introduced Luxury, Flamboyant Lifestyle To Nigerian Music Industry – Sharon Adeleke Claims

Published

20 hours ago

April 21, 2026

Editor

Sharon Adeleke, sister of Afrobeats star. David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, has claimed that the singer introduced luxury and flamboyant lifestyle into the Nigerian music industry.

She made the claim during the singer’s Apple Radio live takeover with family and friends to celebrate his 15th anniversary in the music industry.

“I think that David is one of the people that started all this being flashy and showing off and making it cool, in Nigeria,” she said.

Davido inferred: “When we came to Nigeria, Mo’Hits did it with like having a crew but you see how in America, every successful musician has a crew, his guys and all that.”

Sharon insisted: “You brought that. Nobody used to do that.”

Davido has repeatedly admitted being inspired by the defunct Mo’Hits, which was led by Don Jazzy and D’banj.

In previous interviews, he shared how he was inspired to do music by the Mo’Hits crew and spending sometime in their mansion when absconded from home after flouting his father’s order not to pursue music.