The Rydeem of Light International Gospel Reggae Festival has endorsed the forthcoming live recording concert of Gospel Reggae artiste, Ibrahim David Gajere, popularly known as Ibi Dave, scheduled for October 11 in Gombe State.
The endorsement is expected to boost the concert, which will bring together Gospel musicians, industry stakeholders, creative professionals and music lovers for a major live recording project.
According to the organisers, Ibi Dave will use the concert to perform and record 10 of his latest songs before a live audience in Gombe.
The artiste, who hails from Filiya in Shongom Local Government Area of Gombe State, is a songwriter, Gospel Reggae artiste, music producer and leader of No Pranks Music Band International.
Ibi Dave began his musical journey as a child in the church choir before developing his career as a recording artiste and live performer. His music career has taken him across Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Festival Director of the Rydeem of Light International Gospel Reggae Festival, Odoh Diego Okenyodo, said the concert would contribute to the growth and documentation of Gospel Reggae music in Nigeria.
Okenyodo described Ibi Dave as an artiste whose work combines spiritual expression, musical quality and cultural relevance, stressing that the live recording would help preserve Nigeria’s Gospel Reggae tradition.
He said the decision to endorse the project was also informed by Ibi Dave’s experience in live performances and festival organisation, particularly his role as pioneer and convener of the Filiya Music Festival.
The Filiya Music Festival, according to the organisers, has been held annually for 18 years, bringing musicians together to perform, collaborate and provide opportunities for emerging talents.
Convener of the Rydeem of Light International Gospel Reggae Festival, Mama Lucee, also commended Ibi Dave for his musical talent and commitment to Gospel music.
She urged Gospel music lovers, artistes, churches, creative professionals, sponsors and other stakeholders to support the Gombe concert.
Mama Lucee said the project would demonstrate the potential of creative communities outside Nigeria’s major entertainment centres to produce music capable of gaining international recognition.
Ibi Dave has released several albums and audio visual projects, including YabeshI, The Good Shepherd, No Pranks, No Prank Videos and Lion in Zion, in addition to singles and collaborations with artistes such as Solomon Lange and Jeremiah Gyang.
His collaborations include 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.
The organisers said Ibi Dave’s contributions to Gospel Reggae have earned him several recognitions, including Africa Reggae Artist of the Year at the 2024 CLIMA Awards Africa, as well as Exousia Awards for Best Collaboration and Best Reggae Song.
The Rydeem of Light International Gospel Reggae Festival, an initiative of the Gospel Reggae Team Initiative, said the October concert would provide a platform for live music, collaboration, talent development and the documentation of new Gospel Reggae material from Northern Nigeria.
The festival, founded in 2021, has held editions and programmes in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano, with plans to extend its activities to 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.