As Plateau State marks its 50th anniversary on Tuesday ,having been created on February 3, 1976, from the former Benue-Plateau State under the military regime of General Murtala Muhammed, the state government has unveiled a creative talent contest aimed at reshaping its national image and celebrating its cultural richness .
The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Caleb Mutfwang on Creativity and Entertainment, Barr. Ezra Jinang who addressed newsmen in Jos said the initiative is in partnership with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Hospitality.
He said this effort would go a long way to counter negative narratives and highlight the state’s beauty, peace, heritage, and creative potential.
Barr. Jinang who emphasized the vision behind the project said “We want to tell our stories ourselves, using our arts and creativity.”
He noted that the maiden edition aligns with the state’s 50-year milestone to celebrate Plateau’s God-given beauty and talents that have positioned it as a key player in Nigeria’s creative industry.
Contest categories include Songs, Poetry (including spoken word), Dance, and Content Creation (for other artistic expressions). Winners in each category will receive a cash prize of ₦1 million, with additional rewards for runners-up.
Entries must promote positive aspects of Plateau, and any submission deemed negative, offensive, or divisive will be disqualified.
The initiative will build momentum through weekly radio programmes updating the public on developments, leading to a grand finale concert in March 2026, where prizes will be presented by Governor Mutfwang himself.
The launch has drawn support from various stakeholders in the state ,he added.