News

Plateau PMAN Bans Plateau Got Talent Organizers Amid Controversy

Published

2 years ago

October 26, 2023

vicky

The Plateau State Chapter of the Performing Musicians Association and Employers of Nigeria (PMAN) has taken a firm stance against the recent Plateau Got Talent event, expressing deep disappointment and raising concerns over the legitimacy of the competition and its representation of the vibrant music culture that thrives within Plateau State.

The controversy surrounding Plateau Got Talent centers on its recent winner, whose abilities have come under scrutiny, calling into question the competition’s ability to identify and promote genuine talent within the state.

In response to these developments, Plateau PMAN has issued a ban on the organizers of Plateau Got Talent, COA Media, preventing them from hosting similar events until a thorough evaluation and upgrade to meet accepted standards have been undertaken and approved by PMAN.

Comrade Color Humphery Iroegbu

Governor, Performing Musicians Association and Employers of Nigeria (PMAN) made this known through a press statement issued in Jos on Wednesday 25th October and made available to journalist.

Read here:

The Plateau State Chapter of the Performing Musicians Association and Employers of Nigeria (PMAN) under the leadership of State PMAN Governor, Comrade Color Humphery Iroegbu, wishes to express our deep disappointment and profound concern regarding the recent controversial event, Plateau Got Talent.

Plateau Got Talent’s questionable winner has become a symbol of this disappointment, raising doubts about the talents that abound in the state and legitimacy of the competition and its capacity to promote and nurture true talent.

*In light of these developments, Plateau PMAN hereby bans the Organizers (COA Media) of Plateau Got Talent from holding such events pending proper scrutiny and upgrade to meet accepted standards for such events, and with the approval of PMAN.*

Plateau State is a place rich in musical history and talent, having served as the nurturing ground for some of Nigeria’s most celebrated and globally recognized musical icons, including 2baba, Mi Abaga, Ruby Gyang, Ice Prince, and many others. The state has always been renowned for its vibrant and diverse musical culture.

Unfortunately, Plateau Got Talent has fallen far short of representing the true essence of the remarkable talent that thrives within our great state. It is with a heavy heart that we, as representatives of the Plateau State music community, are compelled to denounce the recent proceedings of this talent show.

We believe that talent competitions should serve as platforms for the genuine discovery, nurturing, and promotion of our homegrown talents, giving them the recognition and opportunities they truly deserve. However, the recent events surrounding Plateau Got Talent have left us with a sense of disappointment and frustration.

This disappointment is not only on behalf of the talented artists of Plateau state but also on behalf of the broader Plateau community. The event organizers have, regrettably, missed the mark by not upholding the high standard of artistic excellence for which our state is known. Instead, they have seemingly prioritized sensationalism and profit over the genuine advancement of our local talent.

The Plateau State PMAN Chapter was taken by surprise as we had no prior notice of such an event. We have been diligently working in collaboration with the State government to create an enabling environment for entertainment on the Plateau. The union’s commitment remains unwavering, and we will not rest until such selfish and unprofessional event organizers are effectively scrutinized and removed from the Plateau’s entertainment landscape. We are dedicated to upholding the highest standards of talent promotion and representation in the state.

Comrade Color Humphery Iroegbu, the State PMAN Governor, strongly asserts that Plateau Got Talent must realign its values and reflect upon its responsibility to the Plateau State artistic community and to uphold the integrity of talent competitions in our region, just as it has in the past with the rise of music legends. The Plateau PMAN is readily available to lend our thoughts, insights and support when called upon. Our state’s rich musical history deserves nothing less than an event that nurtures and elevates the next generation of musical stars, and we hope to see the organizers and others commit to this objective moving forward.

We believe that by collectively working towards the promotion of true Plateau talent, we can create a vibrant, inspiring, and sustainable musical environment for our artists and the broader community.

Signed.

Comrade Color Humphery Iroegbu

Governor, Performing Musicians Association and Employers of Nigeria (PMAN)

Plateau State Chapter

Events

Jilli Airstrike: Lawan Probes as NAF launches Investigation

Published

11 minutes ago

April 14, 2026

Lama Godoz

Screenshot 2026 04 14 12 28 29 912 com.openai.chatgpt edit

Nigeria’s former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, has called for a full-scale investigation into the military airstrike that struck a marketplace in Jilli axis of Yobe State, amid growing concerns over civilian casualties.

Lawan, who represents Yobe North Senatorial District, expressed deep concern over the incident in Jilli Futchimiram, located in Geidam Local Government Area. The operation, carried out by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), was aimed at suspected Boko Haram insurgents and may have hit a busy local market.

Eyewitness accounts cited by the lawmaker, reveal that multiple fighter jets were involved in the operation, with over 100 people feared dead and several others injured. Medical sources at Geidam General Hospital treated at least 35 severely injured victims, raising fears of the death toll increasing.

While acknowledging the sacrifices of the armed forces in the fight against insurgency, Lawan stressed that the tragedy requires urgent scrutiny.

“The victims, largely innocent civilians, deserve a full, transparent, and independent inquiry. Their families deserve answers and justice,” he said.

He urged the Federal Government and military authorities to grant unrestricted investigator access, provide medical care for survivors, and compensate affected families. Lawan warned that the fight against terrorism must not come at the cost of civilian lives, noting that “we must never allow the war against terror to desensitise us to the sanctity of human life.”

His remarks follow reports that a military airstrike, targeting insurgents along the Borno–Yobe border, may have mistakenly hit a crowded market.

In response, the Nigerian Air Force said it has activated its Civilian Harm Accident and Investigation Cell (CHAI-Cell) to conduct a fact-finding mission into the incident. The agency reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, noting that the operation is based on credible intelligence.

Similarly, the Nigerian Army stated that the targeted location is a known terrorist hub in the Jilli axis. The Army surveillance tracked suspected fighters belonging to Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP sect, and their supply networks to the region.

The Army successfully neutralised several insurgents and disrupted planned attacks, though investigations are ongoing to verify the broad claims of civilian casualties.

Meanwhile, the human rights group Amnesty International shared witnesses reports’, that at least three military jets dropped bombs on the market, resulting in many deaths.

Yobe State Government confirms the operation’s aim targeted a terrorist stronghold, highlighting the sensitivity and complex nature of military operations in insurgent-locations.

Teenage Suspect Arrested, Offers Insight into ISWAP Network

In a related development, Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) arrested a 15-year-old suspect, linked to ISWAP in Ngamdu, Borno State. Military sources apprehended the teenager in his attempt to procure supplies for the insurgents camped along the Ngamdu–Benisheik.

During interrogation, the confessions identified him as a messenger sent with ₦850,000 to get supplies, he affirms fighters were mobilised from Jilli, proving the credibility of military intelligence.

This comes after Jilli airstrikes, providing fresh insights into the supply networks of ISWAP terrorist, unraveling quality leads for the ongoing investigations.

News

Plateau: MACBAN accuses ‘Irigwe militias’ of killing herder, rustling cattle in Bassa

Published

4 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Preport

Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, has accused Irigwe youths in Dan Tanko village, Bassa Local Government Area, of killing a 22-year-old herder identified as Aliyu Abdulrazak, and rustling his cattle in an attack on Sunday, April 12.

Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, the state MACBAN Chairman, who made the accusations in a statement on Monday, said the group strongly condemned the attack which he described as unprovoked, and the tragic killing of Abdulrazak who was killed while going about his grazing business without infringing on anyone’s land.

“Aliyu Abdulrazak, 22 years old, was reportedly carrying out his lawful and peaceful grazing activities when he was brutally attacked and killed by Irigwe Militias.

“This senseless act of violence is not only inhumane but also a grave violation of the fundamental right to life,” Babayo said.

He stated that in addition to the killing of the herder, the attackers also killed five cows and rustled fifteen others belonging to the victim.

“This represents a serious economic loss to the family and further deepens the insecurity faced by pastoral communities in the area.

“These recent unprovoked attacks bring the total number of cows killed to approximately 80 since January 2026 in the Bassa LGA.

“The authorities’ inaction in ending the recurrent poisoning and killing of animals raises serious concerns about the fragile peace in the area,” he alleged.

Continuing, the MACBAN Chairman recalled that another herder, Aminu Sale, was ambushed and attacked on Saturday April 11, by suspected Berom militias while grazing in Anguwan Weren, Rim ward, of Riyom Local Government Area, while three cows belonging to Sale were also shot “resulting in the instantaneous death of one cow and serious gunshot injuries to the other two.”

“MACBAN views this incident as unacceptable and calls on security agencies to urgently investigate, apprehend, and prosecute those responsible for this barbaric act. Justice must be served to deter further occurrences and restore confidence among herders and law-abiding citizens.

“We also call on all stakeholders, community leaders, and government authorities to take proactive measures in promoting peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and mutual respect among all communities in Bassa LGA and beyond.

“The association remains committed to peace and will continue to support all lawful efforts aimed at ensuring harmony and security for all,” Babayo added.