Organisers of Music & Entertainment Gospel Awards (MEGA) have said that they are now in the process of activating Public Voting of a special award ceremony to mark the sixth season.
A statement by Ire Akintunde-Johnson, who is the administrator for the awards, said they “believe it is beneficial for all to mark each successive year of the awards, instead of giving up and folding our arms as a result of adverse socio-economic conditions and lack of logistical support”.
This year’s special event, the statement further explained, is tagged “People’s Choice Award”.
Akintunde-Johnson further stated that since this year’s event is designed as a “Special”, whereby the public voting is 100% – unlike our usual 10% – it is therefore critical to inform the Nigerian public who are lovers of gospel music about the goings-on concerning Nigeria’s premier gospel awards, MEGA.
“For the avoidance of doubt, we reiterate that unlike the usual practice (since 2014) when the screening processes of MEGA leaned heavily on the side of quality and relevance as determined by our Body of Judges and Screeners (90%), and public voting 10%; we have opted this year to do something different.
“Through a painstaking and broad selection process, we have produced a master-list comprising some of Nigeria’s most admired performers and works released between January 2017 and August 2018.
“We recognise the importance of listeners/fans expressing their affection for their favourites, and therefore seek to allow fans’ multiple votes (on our website & Facebook voting page) to form 100% aggregate in selecting nominees and winners. Collation will be open, free, fair and transparent,” the statement said.
It is the organiser’s hope that the general public will join MEGA in adding verve into the Nigerian gospel music industry with this people-driven celebration of spiritual creativity.
Interested persons are allowed to vote as many times but NOT MORE THAN ONCE a day on MEGA’s website and Facebook Voting Page during the initial voting period, which is for the first 10 days.
The following are vital dates on this year’s MEGA calendar:
– Sunday, October 28: General Voting Begins (as indicated above)
– October 28 – November 6: First 10 days of multiple voting (Votes are collated at end of this period, and each category has a shortlist to six finalists, at most).
– November 8 – 18: second leg of Voting starts and runs for 10 days, to determine the four nominees, including the winner, in each category. (New voting Guidelines will also be issued).
– November 18 (11.59pm): Public Voting Ends.
– November 25 (Finale): Nominees and Winners will be announced at a special ceremony (further details later).
The categories open for nomination via voting include: Artiste Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Best Traditional Album, Song Of The Year, Best New Artiste, Best Group/Duo, Best Male Vocalist and Best Female Vocalist. Others are Best Praise Song, Best Worship Song, Best Instrumentalist, Best Video, Best Comedian and Best Online Radio Station.