S.S.A. to Governor Godwin Obaseki on Entertainment, hijacked 50M winning prize, ask contestants/churches to go to hell

Governor Obaseki in his usual responsive and selfless interventions reached out to the Pentecostal family in honour of the former Edo State CAN President, Bishop Oyonode Kure. The governor pledged and made available the sum of N50m for a gospel music competition in honour of the Bishop who was meritorious during his stint as CAN President.

Also in August 2023, the governor honoured Archbishop Margaret Idahosa on her 80th birthday with another musical competition.
On these two occasions, the SSA to the Governor, Erhunmwunse Osagie and Rev. Aruojie did a lot of publicity in sensitising the public through various media including the popular “Man Around Town” on itv radio 92.3fm about the competition in honour of the two religious icons. It was segmented into three zones, Edo North, Edo Central and Edo South.

Subsequently, the competition commenced in different categories, Dance, solo (acapela), choir (traditional, classic, contemporary). The finals was on the 13th of October 2023 and winners were announced at the end of the competition with prizes attached.

The Winners are:
Contemporary
1st. Church of God Mission
2nd. City of Grace ministries
3rd. Revelation Intl. Gospel ministries

Winners
Indigenous
1st. Church of God mission revelation centre.
2nd. Catholic Archdiocese of Benin city Choir.
3rd. God First revival church

Winner
Classical
1st. El excess Choral (Catholic)
2nd. Benin city Choral (interdenominational)
3rd. Anglican diocese of Ekpoma.

Winner
Solo

1. Godwin Christiana
2. Edward Jemimah
3. Godspower Ikharehom

Ideally, the essence of the competition is to encourage the youth to love and praise God, discover musical talents and engage our talented youth meaningfully. The prize money was to be shared amongst all the categories. It was supposed to be a fitting reward and a befitting honour to Bishop Oyenode Kure and Archbishop M.E. Idahosa.

Considering the immense efforts deployed, resources, hours of resources and logistics, traversing all over Edo State getting to the finals, it was expected the winners would be rewarded immediately after.

There has been series of visits to Government House in a bid to know the situation of things and also know why the prize money has not been redeemed. Till date there has been a void and a lacuna. To communication, no interactions, no feedback, no response. We are feeling bad about the handling of this competition where young, vibrant and resourceful up and coming gospel artists are drained and left in the lurch.

The total money donated by the governor was 100million Naira and the total expenses for the competition across the three senatorial district and the finals would have been 10million Naira expended, so how/why is it that the S.S.A. pronounced five hundred thousand, four hundred thousand and three hundred thousand to the first, second and third winners as against the initial 50million that is supposed to be shared amongst the winners?

Meanwhile it was reported to the Governor that the winners have been paid and settled since November, 2023.

We are soliciting the intervention of Governor, Godwin Obaseki to see to it that his pledge is redeemed and dream of the winners is realised. Who ever is sitting on the prize money should please do the needful and make it available to the winners. Like they say, a worker is deserving of his wages.
God bless Edo state.