The inaugural edition of the Symphony of Praise and Worship (SPAW) Talent Quest concluded yesterday producing three emerging Gospel ministers, Praise Moses, Dharmie Hilz, and Isioma Charles as top winner, 1st runner-up, and 2nd runner-up respectively. The trio is smiling to the bank with the sum of NGN 750,000, NGN 500,000 and NGN 350,000 in that order. They also go home with the promise to join the Convener, Dr. Ajokesings on the big stage on December 7th, 2025 as the SPAW Concert 2025 holds.
The SPAW Talent Quest 2025 which began with a handsome 100 contestants was whittled down to 50 and then to 10 at the grand finale. The 10 contestants who made it to the grand finale are Olusola Tabitha (Tabithaseengs), Isioma Charles, Damilola Adaralegbe, Amosa Peace Temiloluwa, Uche Harmonie, Min. Queen Esther, Praise Moses, Dhamie Hilz, and Chidera Rosh. They did various hit Gospel songs such as include Osuba re by Dr. Ajokesings; Imole De by Dunsin Oyekan; Agaleo by Judi Kay, Imela by Nathaniel Bassey, and Alabaster box by Cece Winans during their various appearances.
The convener of SPAW, Dr. Ajoke Ogunsan revealed that the SPAW Talent Hunt Show is a divine vision to raise a generation of young people who will echo God’s excellence across the world through Gospel music. The SPAW initiative – an acronym for Sound Praise and Worship – was birthed from a divine nudge to give talented young Christian music ministers a platform to shine. The SPAW platform is a musical talent discovery program is structured to identify and mentor rising Gospel stars through a combination of training sessions, performances, and live showcases leading up to the grand finale.
Dignitaries present at the SPAW Talent Quest Grand finale include the new Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr Ayo Ogunsan; Agege LGA Chairmanship aspirant, Hon. Taiwo Olasunkanmi Samuel; the President of National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), Mayor Oki Samson; among others.
The coaches and judges who worked with all the contestants of the SPAW Talent Quest 2025 across all the various stages are Coach Allwell Obi; Coach Leke Abiola; Coach Omolara Victoria; judge Godwin Omoba; judge Hope Activate; the convener Dr. Ajoke Ogunsan; Eno Michael; Chief judge, Prof. Albert Oikelome; coach Adrian Brainsford; and coach Emmanuel Ohonyon.
Speaking after the successful SPAW Talent Quest 2025, Dr. Ajoke Ogunsan with the stage name Ajokesings stated: ‘Thanks be to the Lord. We started from morning till the grand finale this evening. I am excited and happy about the winners who have emerged and I say congratulations to them, I wish them the very best. I can’t wait to see them perform to their full potential.’
Responding to the dichotomy between secular and gospel music and its attraction to young people, Dr. Ajokesings said: ‘We know that secular music seems to be taking over but I believe that with encouragement, we can let our young ones know that it really pays to serve Jesus with their talents, voices, time, and everything. No one can do it alone, we have to encourage them and set up platforms for them to be able to succeed.’
She also extended appreciation to the judges, coaches, and contestants for their dedication and faith. ‘I want to thank my judges and coaches. I want to also thank the contestants for coming. I want to appreciate my fans who have come out for this grand finale. We will all enjoy ourselves in the presence of the Lord.’
‘By the grace of the Lord, I look forward to having the SPAW Talent Quest not just in Lagos, not just in Nigeria but across West Africa and worldwide’, Dr. Ajokesings concluded about her future aspirations.
The Chief judge of SPAW Talent Quest 2025, Prof. Albert Oikelome added about the organization of the event, ‘This is a very exceptional and power-packed event. Nobody here will doubt the level of dexterity and creativity that was put into this.”I want to advise young gospel artistes to pay attention to their breath control, emotional carriage, stage management, dynamics, staying to tune, and ability to connect with the audience. I also want to advise them to aspire to greatness, go for competitions. When you go for competitions, it is either you win or lose but you are growing’, he said.
Expressing his joy, the top winner, Praise Moses who is a singer and songwriter said: ‘I kept praying that I am blessed and that I won’t leave here empty-handed. I have been scoring the songs that I did, all the 10 songs, since I got the email that I will be coming for this competition. I have listened to Tasha Cobbs since age 6 and in Nigeria, I listen to Judikay.’
‘I want to say thank you to Dr. Ajokesings for this platform and the organizers for this opportunity to share the gospel on this big stage. I am grateful to God for this privilege’, Praise Moses said.
The 1st runner-up, Dharmie Hilz shared: ‘I am grateful to God that I got to this position, many are called but few are chosen. I want to say thank you to the organizers for this platform, it is a dream come true when you see people that have made up their minds to support others. Imagine leaving your house in the morning, saying that you want to go and use your voice to make money, it’s a lot. I am grateful. Thank you to Dr. Ajokesings, your seeds are blessed.’
Declaring his commitment to pursue a gospel music career, Dharmie Hilz said: ‘I am a Gospel minister, I sing in church, I am committed to that, by the Grace of God I will continue because it is not by might nor by power, I am putting my trust in God that my plans will come to fruition. Within the next 5 years, I want to start my own studio where I can render my services to people and bless people with Gospel content.’
‘Education is key to music. All that I was able to do today is by education, knowledge. Education singles you out, it puts you in a place where you have understanding of what you are doing, know how to do it and you know how to replicate the same thing. Education makes you stand out from the crowd’, he added.
The 2nd runner-up, Isioma Charles revealed: ‘I have been praying a lot as I practiced over and over the songs that I did. I was really nervous this morning but the boldness came gradually.’
On her future plans, the songstress said ‘I want to write songs and tell my story through songs. I want to awaken souls through my songs. God brought me out of the streets, I was lost and into drugs but God arrested me and cleaned me, He brought me back. Imagine this voice doing drugs. That’s my testimony.’
‘I want to say a big thank you to Dr. Ajokesings for this great opportunity’, Isioma Charles concluded.
