The forthcoming live recording concert by acclaimed Gospel Reggae artiste Ibrahim David Gajere, popularly known as Ibi Dave, has received a major endorsement from the Rydeem of Light International Gospel Reggae Festival ahead of the much-anticipated event in Gombe State.
The concert is scheduled for October 11, 2026, in Gombe and is expected to bring together Gospel music artistes, industry leaders, music lovers and other stakeholders for a live musical experience that will see Ibi Dave perform and record 10 of his latest songs.
The endorsement, announced in Abuja on August 27, underscores the growing recognition of Gospel Reggae as a significant part of Nigeria’s contemporary music and cultural landscape, while also drawing attention to the creative potential emerging from Northern Nigeria.
Festival Director of the Rydeem of Light International Gospel Reggae Festival, Mr Odoh Diego Okenyodo, described the concert as an important contribution to the growth, preservation and documentation of Gospel Reggae music in Nigeria.
“The Rydeem of Light International Gospel Reggae Festival is proud to endorse Ibi Dave and his October live recording concert in Gombe,” Okenyodo said.
According to him, Ibi Dave represents the kind of artiste whose work demonstrates that Gospel music can be spiritually meaningful, musically excellent and culturally relevant.
“A live recording of 10 new songs, surrounded by Gospel music generals and audiences in Gombe, is not just a concert; it is an investment in the preservation and expansion of Nigeria’s Gospel Reggae tradition,” he added.
The endorsement is particularly significant given Ibi Dave’s long-standing involvement in live music production and talent development. Born in Filiya, Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State, the artiste began his musical journey as a child in the church choir before building a career as a songwriter, Gospel Reggae artiste, music producer and leader of No Pranks Music Band International, based in Gombe.
His career has taken him across Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States, where he has performed and participated in Gospel music activities.
Beyond his work as a recording artiste, Ibi Dave is also the pioneer and convener of the Filiya Music Festival, an annual music gathering that has continued for 18 years. The festival brings musicians together in Filiya to perform, collaborate and provide opportunities for emerging talents.
Okenyodo said Ibi Dave’s history of festival production and live performance further increases the importance of the October concert, particularly because it combines live performance with the permanent documentation of new musical material.
The event is expected to provide an avenue for collaboration among established and emerging Gospel music practitioners while creating a platform for audiences in Gombe and beyond to experience new Gospel Reggae material.
Also speaking, the Convener of the Rydeem of Light International Gospel Reggae Festival, Mama Lucee, praised Ibi Dave for what she described as his musical virtuosity and spiritual depth.
“We encourage Gospel music lovers, artistes, creative professionals, churches, sponsors and partners to support this initiative,” Mama Lucee said.
She noted that the concert could help challenge the perception that major music productions must always originate from Nigeria’s traditional entertainment centres.
“Gombe has a vibrant creative community, and projects of this nature can demonstrate that world-class Gospel reggae music production can emerge from communities outside Nigeria’s traditional entertainment centres,” she said.
Mama Lucee also pointed to Ibi Dave’s international recognition, noting that his musical excellence had taken him beyond Nigeria.
“We have seen Minister Ibi Dave called to tour the UK and other countries several times for this excellence,” she added.
Ibi Dave’s musical catalogue spans several albums and audio-visual projects, including YabeshI, released in 1999, The Good Shepherd in 2005, No Pranks in 2008, No Prank Videos in 2011 and Lion in Zion in 2014.
He has also collaborated with prominent Gospel music artistes on projects including Let It Be featuring Solomon Lange, Better Days featuring Jeremiah Gyang and Tonight featuring Jah Device. He is also collaborating with Mama Lucee on the forthcoming Kristofarian album, Rebuilding the Reggae Temple.
His career has earned him recognition at several awards, including the Africa Reggae Artist of the Year award at the 2024 CLIMA Awards Africa, as well as Exousia Awards for Best Collaboration and Best Reggae Song.
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The October 11 concert is therefore expected to serve not only as a live musical event but also as a significant recording project aimed at documenting a new body of Gospel Reggae music from Northern Nigeria.
For the Rydeem of Light International Gospel Reggae Festival, the initiative reflects its broader commitment to promoting Gospel music, creative excellence, positive values, cultural expression and the development of Nigeria’s music ecosystem.
Founded in 2021 by the Gospel Reggae Team Initiative, an NGO, the festival has held editions in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano, with future editions scheduled for Lagos and Jos. Its 10th edition is scheduled for November 21, 2026, at the Cinema Hall of the Cyprian Ekwensi Centre for Arts and Culture.
With the endorsement of the October concert, organisers believe Ibi Dave’s Gombe recording project could become an important milestone for Gospel Reggae music, opening fresh opportunities for collaboration, talent development and the discovery of new creative voices from Northern Nigeria.
