November 14, (THEWILL) – Bayelsa-based artistes have called off their planned protest over their non-inclusion at the state-sponsored official Annual Thanksgiving Day.
The decision comes on the heels of the timely intervention of the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the Governor on Tourism, Mr. Piriye Kiyaramo.
The artistes, under the auspices of the Ijaw Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (IGMAN), led by Pastor Money Jacob, the Federation of Gospel Music Ministers of Nigeria (FOGMMON), led by Madam Blessing Okusiriki and a renowned Bayelsa indigenous gospel artiste, Pastor (Elder) Bannerman Embiowei, had frowned at what they described as exclusion and non-patronage from the state government during the 2021 edition of the State Annual Thanksgiving Day event in Yenagoa which holds every November 2.
Kiyaramo, in roundtable talks with the representatives of the aggrieved groups in his office, said music has been one of the great ways of promoting tourism all across the globe.
He appealed to the aggrieved artistes to sheath their sword and come to roundtable discussions with relevant authorities to resolve the issues, rather than embarking on street protest that may send the wrong message to the public.
The governor of the Bayelsa State chapter of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Prince Perez Ogbogbo, commended the artistes for their peaceful conduct during the Thanksgiving event. He, however, called on them to engage the state government in a peaceful dialogue to resolve the issue.
Prince Ogbogbo appealed to the Governor Douye Diri to partner with PMAN for the empowerment and development of local artistes in the state, while thanking the SSA for intervening in the matter.
Renowned Bayelsa indigenous gospel artiste, Pastor (Elder) Bannerman Embiowei, while commending Kiyaramo for his quick intervention in the matter, said they were ready to call off the planned street protest and continue with the roundtable discussions with the relevant authorities.
The president of the Ijaw Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (IGMAN), Pastor Money Jacob, assured the SSA of his organisation’s willingness to continue with the roundtable discussions to amicably resolve the matter.
