The Plateau State Government, through the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Creativity and Entertainment, Barr. Ezra Jinang, in collaboration with major brands and partners, successfully hosted the maiden edition of the highly anticipated “Sing for Plateau” competition. The initiative brought together talented musicians, digital content creators, poets, and dancers from across the state in a celebration of creativity, innovation, and culture. The event served as a platform to discover, promote, and showcase emerging talents while highlighting the rich cultural heritage and creative potential of Plateau State.

Held at the prestigious USIJU Event World Centre in Jos, the competition attracted a large audience comprising government officials, entertainment stakeholders, creative industry practitioners, and supporters of the arts. Contestants thrilled spectators with exceptional performances, originality, and artistic excellence, creating an atmosphere of excitement and healthy competition.

The process of selecting winners was rigorous and transparent, involving multiple stages of evaluation. Participants submitted original two-to-three-minute audio, video, dance, and poetry entries through digital platforms, with all content focused on promoting the positive image and cultural heritage of Plateau State. Entries were screened by the organizing committee and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant on Creativity and Entertainment for originality, creativity, and relevance to the theme. Shortlisted finalists were subsequently assessed by an independent panel of expert judges who evaluated the technical quality, creativity, and overall impact of each performance.

Following the final rounds of assessment and live performances, winners emerged across the four competition categories which included Digital content creation :Saga Media secured first position, while Gladys Mama of Doya and Aisha Abdulsalam came second and third respectively.

In the Dance Category, Royal DC emerged winner, followed by Diamond DC in second place and Lepsie Star in third place.
The Spoken Word/Poetry Category saw Word Priest claim first position, with Pages and Word Diva finishing second and third respectively.

In the Music Category, Mic Fix emerged overall winner, while United Plateau and Ben Heavens secured second and third positions

Each category winner goes home with whooping sum of One Million Naira, First runner up Two hundred thousand naira while second runner up goes home with hundred thousand naira..

Other participants were recognized with Certificates of Participation in appreciation of their contributions to the success of the competition.

Speaking at the event, Barr. Ezra Jinang commended all contestants for their dedication, creativity, and outstanding performances. He noted that the initiative aligns with the Plateau State Government’s commitment to youth empowerment, talent development, and the creation of sustainable opportunities within the creative and entertainment sectors. He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to continue supporting platforms that nurture talent and contribute to economic growth through the creative industry.

Representing the Plateau State Government, Deputy Governor Josephine Piyo presented awards and prizes to the winners and participants. She congratulated all the winners and applauded every contestant for demonstrating the immense talent that exists within Plateau State. According to her, the administration remains committed to supporting youth development, creativity, and innovation as critical drivers of sustainable development and economic prosperity.

Beyond the competition, the event also provided an opportunity to honour individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth of Plateau State’s creative and entertainment industry. Special recognition awards were presented to distinguished personalities including Dr. Panam Percy Paul, Nde Dantala Dewan, Pastor Miss Dorcas Bentu, Dr. Sani Mu’azu, Mr. Jethro Mark Da’ar, and several others for their dedication, leadership, and invaluable contributions to the advancement of arts, culture, and entertainment on the Plateau and beyond.

Stakeholders described the maiden edition of “Sing for Plateau” as a major milestone in the state’s creative journey, expressing optimism that the initiative will become an annual platform for discovering and nurturing talents, strengthening the entertainment industry, and positioning Plateau State as a leading hub for creative excellence in Nigeria.