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Plateau Accident: NGO Tasks Political Parties On Safe, Peaceful Campaign Rallies

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YIAVHA

AN Non Governmental organization, Youth Initiative Against Violence and Human Rights Abuse (YIAVHA), has advised political parties to caution their supporters against thuggery, reckless driving, and other forms of unsafe behaviors during campaign rallies.

Mr. Jacob Pwakim, the Executive Director of the organization, gave the piece of advice in a statement issued on Monday in Jos.

Pwakim was reacting to the road crash that claimed the lives of 16 supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on their way from a zonal rally at Pankshin in Plateau.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that many other party supporters sustained various degrees of injury from the crash.

Pwakim, who condoled with the families of the affected people, called on political parties to put in place modalities that would ensure peaceful and accident-free rallies.

“YIAVHA Nigeria expresses sympathy with the immediate families, Plateau state, and all those who mourn the demise of these young Nigerians who in every sense have the potential that may have added value to the development of humanity in general.

“YIAVHA is also pleased with the role of young people in the 2023 elections where their actions shape the prospects of the elections to be peaceful and participatory.

“Precautionary measures should be put in place to reduce the vulnerability that comes with election campaigns in Nigeria,” he advised.

The executive director advised political parties to learn from experiences where party supporters die in road accidents during rallies due to reckless driving, adding that such an ugly trend could be averted if proper measures were put in place.

“If we are to learn from experiences, there should be adequate first aid equipment and medical provisions, safe driving measures, and car loading guidelines.

“Security personnel, among others, must ensure that elections are devoid of actions that threaten the lives of those campaigning.

“These safety measures should be monitored by the election management body and other stakeholders, political parties inclusive.

“While we know that there are natural occurrences, we like to be sure that all preventing measures have been observed by all parties involved in the election process,” he said.

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PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CONVENER OF (JOGAMA-THE GREEN AWARDS) ANNOUNCING THE COMMENCEMENT OF ENTRIES FOR THE 16TH JOGAMA– THE GREEN AWARDS 2026

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Distinguished members of the press, respected fathers and mothers of faith, leaders of the creative industry, our esteemed partners and sponsors, gospel ministers, fellow creatives, ladies and gentlemen, I warmly welcome you to this important gathering.

Today marks another significant milestone in the history of the Joint Gospel Arts and Music Awards (JOGAMA). It is with profound gratitude to God that we officially announce the commencement of entries for the 16th edition of the JOGAMA–GREEN AWARDS, and unveil the official theme for this year’s awards.

For sixteen years, JOGAMA has remained committed to celebrating excellence in gospel music and the creative arts across the Middle belt region and Northern Nigeria as a whole. What began as a vision to recognize and encourage gospel creatives has grown into a movement that has discovered, celebrated, and inspired hundreds of artists, producers, filmmakers, dancers, comedians and other creative professionals whose gifts continue to impact lives for Christ.

JOGAMA has always stood for more than an award ceremony. We exist to build the gospel creative industry, preserve its values, promote excellence, encourage innovation, and ensure that those who faithfully use their talents for the Kingdom receive the honour they deserve.

This year, however, our gathering carries a deeper significance.

Across many parts of Northern Nigeria, Christian communities have endured enormous hardship. Many families have experienced violence, displacement, the destruction of churches and communities, and the painful loss of loved ones. Yet, in the midst of these challenges, one thing has remained constant: the Gospel has not been silenced.

Our churches continue to worship. Our choirs continue to sing. Our pastors continue to preach. Our filmmakers continue to tell stories of redemption. Our spoken word artists continue to proclaim hope. Our dancers continue to minister. Our creative community continues to lift the name of Jesus.

It is from this reality that the theme for the 2026 JOGAMA–GREEN AWARDS is born.

“A Sound That Cannot Be Silenced: 

Rooted in Faith, Rising in Influence.”

This is not merely a slogan. It is a declaration. It is a declaration that no amount of persecution can silence the message of Jesus Christ. It is a declaration that while circumstances may seek to discourage us, our faith remains firmly rooted in Christ. It is a declaration that the Gospel will continue to rise above fear, above hatred, above violence, and above every force that seeks to suppress it.

As gospel creatives, our assignment is greater than producing good music or beautiful performances. We are custodians of a message that transforms lives. Every song, every film, every dance, every design, every spoken word piece, and every creative expression should point people to Christ and strengthen His Church.

This year’s theme also challenges us to rise in influence, not for personal fame, but for Kingdom impact. The world needs authentic Christian voices now more than ever, voices that speak truth with love, excellence with humility, and creativity with purpose.

Today, I am pleased to officially declare entries open for the 16th JOGAMA–GREEN AWARDS.

Entry submissions will commence today Monday, 13thJuly 2026, and close on Sunday 9th August 2026.

We invite eligible gospel creatives from across Northern Nigeria to submit their works for consideration. We encourage every qualified artiste, producer, filmmaker, designer, dancer, comedian, spoken word minister, and creative professional to participate in what promises to be another memorable edition of JOGAMA.

As we prepare for this year’s celebration, I wish to announce that the 16th JOGAMA–GREEN AWARDS will be a two-day event. The first day, Thursday, 19th November 2026, will feature a Gospel Creative Industry Conference, with speakers from across the nation and beyond while the second day, Friday, 20th November 2026, will be dedicated to the Award Night. This structure is designed to deepen engagement within the gospel creative sector, provide learning and networking opportunities, and culminate in a glorious night of honour and celebration.

The categories for consideration in this year’s edition includes:

1. Song Of The Year

2. Artiste Of The Year

3. Male Artiste Of The Year

4. Female Artiste Of The Year

5. Group Of The Year

6. Dance Group of The Year

7. Video Of The Year

8. Video Director of The Year

9. Audio Producer of The Year

10. Indigenous Traditional Song of The Year (any song done with purely indigenous dialect or Hausa)

11. Indigenous Traditional Fusion Song of The Year (Any song done with a combination of dialect, hausa and English)

12. Afro Hip Hop Song of The Year (Rap song)

13. Short Film Of The Year

14. Collaboration Of The Year

15. Next Rated Artiste Of The Year

16. Album Of The Year

17. Graphics Designer of The Year

18. New Artiste of The Year

19. Gospel Comedian of The Year

20. Spoken Word Artiste of The Year

21. Middle Belt Artiste of The Year

22. North West Artiste of the Year

23. North East Artiste of The Year

CRITERIA

i. Content must be gospel

ii. Content must have been released between January, 2025 and June 2026

iii. Content must be accompanied with duplicatecopies of recent photograph(s)

iv. Content must be on a streaming platform 

v. Content art must be submitted alongside entry.

vi. Content creator must reside Northern Nigeriaincluding the FCT.

HOW TO SUBMIT AN ENTRY:

All entries are to be send to our email address jogamagreen@gmail.com with the following detailsor follow the link https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSex5Lq_vzlnUCqtS1wMAi9gSk58qRla5gsgUIqeK_USp-jo4g/viewform

1. Content creator full name

2. Stage name (where applicable)

3. Content title 

4. Valid WhatsApp number 

In view of the scale and importance of this year’s event, we are making a sincere appeal to individuals, government, corporate organizations, ministries, agencies, churches, and well-meaning partners to come on board and sponsor this year’s edition of JOGAMA. Your support will go a long way in helping us deliver a successful conference and award night, and in strengthening the gospel creative industry for greater impact. We believe that together, we can raise a platform that will continue to inspire excellence, nurture talent, and advance the Gospel through creativity.

I also wish to sincerely appreciate our Chairman Boardof Trustees our Father Dr. Panam Percy Paul and the , The Chairman of the Central Planning Committee Dr. Jim Pam Wayas, partners, media organizations, volunteers, and every individual who has believed in this vision over the past sixteen years. Your unwavering support has made JOGAMA one of the most respected gospel creative platforms in our region.

To the media, we thank you for consistently amplifying our vision. We count on your continued partnership as we spread this message and encourage participation from every corner of Northern Nigeria and beyond.

Before I conclude, permit me to leave a word of encouragement to every gospel creative and every believer.

Never underestimate the power of your gift. Every song you write, every film you produce, every dance you choreograph, every spoken word you deliver, and every creative expression you offer in service to God has the potential to transform lives and draw people closer to Christ.

The challenges confronting the Church today should never silence our voices; rather, they should deepen our conviction and strengthen our resolve to proclaim the Gospel with greater boldness. The history of the Church has consistently shown that the Gospel advances even in the face of opposition because its foundation is Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul reminds us in 2 Timothy 1:7: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

And our Lord Jesus Christ declared in Matthew 16:18: “…I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”

These promises assure us that persecution cannot silence the Church, and opposition cannot stop the Gospel. Therefore, let us remain rooted in faith, unwavering in our conviction, and committed to using our gifts to proclaim Christ with excellence and integrity.

To every gospel creative, keep singing. Keep writing. Keep preaching. Keep producing. Keep creating. Keep shining the light of Christ. The world needs your voice, and this generation needs your witness.

As we begin this journey towards the 16th JOGAMA–GREEN AWARDS, let us continue to raise “A Sound That Cannot Be Silenced: Rooted in Faith, Rising in Influence.”

Thank you, 

God bless you,

God bless Plateau State

God bless Northern Nigeria

And God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

JOGAMA–GREEN AWARDS, appreciating talents, glorifying the Master!

Further details and enquires, visit our website onwww.joagama.com.ng and follow us on all social media platforms @jogamagreen or call 08034295946

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2027: ‘I told him I’m on ballot’ – Umahi insists on public debate with Peter Obi

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Minister of Works, David Umahi, has disclosed that he told the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, that he would be on the ballot in the 2027 presidential election.

Umahi made the remark in a video while inspecting an ongoing project on Sunday. According to him, if President Bola Tinubu is on the ballot for the 2027 election, then he is already on the ballot as well.

days after Obi rejected the minister’s invitation to a public debate on their respective records as former governors.

This is coming days after the NDC candidate rejected the Umahi’s invitation to a public debate to showcase their track records.

Obi had said Umahi is unqualified for the public debate, urging him to first become a presidential candidate before the debate can hold.

Responding, the Minister said, “I’ve told him that I’m on the ballot. You know, when President Bola Tinubu is on the ballot, I’m on the ballot.

“Because I don’t want this project to stop. I want it to be completed. So I want all of us together to win with President Bola Tinubu.”

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