Minna State Governor, Mohammed Bago, sings during the eighth edition of SHOUT, an annual Christian gospel music concert organised by House On The Rock Minna, at the Trade Fair Complex in Minna, Niger State. Photo: House On The Rock Minna/Facebook
The governor sang three songs, including “I’m a New Creation,” “May the Spirit of the Lord Come Down,” and the hymn “Hold the Fort.”
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has drawn attention after joining worshippers on stage to sing Christian gospel songs at an annual concert in Minna, including one with the refrain, “I’m a new creation, I’m born again.”
Bago, a Muslim, participated in the eighth edition of SHOUT, a Christian gospel music concert organised by House On The Rock Minna at the Trade Fair Complex on Friday.
In a video from the event which has since gone viral, the governor sang three songs, including “I’m a New Creation”, “May the Spirit of the Lord Come Down” and the hymn “Hold the Fort”.
Bago sang, “I’m a new creation, I’m born again. All things have passed away. I’m born again. That’s who I am. I’m a new creation. I’m a brand new man.”
During his appearance on stage, Bago told the congregation that the occasion was a time for celebration.
“You know the season is a season we must rejoice. It’s a season we should be happy because this is the day my Lord has made for me today,” he said.
The event, convened by Pastor Peterock Sadiq, featured guest ministers, including Apostle Joshua Selman.
The governor’s participation was not his first appearance at the Christian gathering.
House On The Rock Minna said in a Facebook post that Bago had supported the Christian community and attended SHOUT for four years, with the seventh edition being the only one he missed.
The church described his presence at the latest edition as a continuation of his relationship with the Christian community, rather than a political campaign appearance.
Bago has previously spoken about religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence in Niger State.
Bago has attended previous editions of the concert and used them to advocate religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence among residents of the state.
At the 2024 edition, he urged residents to live in unity irrespective of their religious backgrounds, describing unity as essential to peace and development. He also reiterated his administration’s commitment to improving the lives of residents.
At the 2023 edition, Bago said he attended the gathering to give thanks to God for his victory in the governorship election. He also urged Christian and Muslim clerics to use their platforms to promote peace rather than division.
The governor has also spoken about his own exposure to Christianity through education.
At a public lecture in Abuja in May 2024, he recalled attending a missionary school and said his experience had not changed his Islamic faith.
He argued that religion should not be forced on anyone and called for respect for people regardless of their religious beliefs.
His latest appearance at SHOUT 8 continued a pattern of participation in Christian gatherings, with the governor joining worshippers in singing gospel songs while reiterating his message of religious coexistence.
Bago, who was elected governor in March 2023 on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, assumed office on May 29, 2023.
A former member of the House of Representatives representing Chanchaga Federal Constituency, he has made agricultural development, road construction and urban renewal major priorities of his administration.
He is popularly known as the “Farmer Governor” because of his emphasis on agriculture.
