Popular gospel singer, Panam Percy Paul, has revealed that he rejected a £24m deal in 1995 because he was asked to reduce how often he mentioned Jesus in his songs.

The 68-year-old singer shared his experience during a recent conversation with Nigerian pastor, Emmanuel Iren.

He said he was at the height of his ministry when the offer came in from a foreign record label.

According to him, the deal was worth £24 million for a three-year contract. At the time, that amount was equal to about seven billion naira.

He said the label asked him to reduce how often he called the name Jesus in his songs.

“1995, I was at the peak of ministry, and success in the industry, I was offered 24 million pounds for a three year contract. 1995, 24 million pounds was equivalent to 7 billion naira. The catch was ‘can you reduce the number of times you call the name Jesus in your songs?’ And there is more where this came from. And one of them said to me, ‘you actually don’t need to mention the name Jesus.

You can call him other names like Righteous one, Greatest Lover.’ I was shocked, so I told them, you can keep the money, while I keep the name.”

Panam did not hide his disappointment with how gospel music has changed over the years.

He believes that ministry is now being controlled by the music industry and marketers.

“Today, the extreme is that music ministry has now become music industry. Where the industry now dictates to the ministers what to do, how to sing and when to sing. For example, it was the marketers in Alaba that encouraged the musicians to add tongues to their songs,” he said.

Known for timeless gospel hits like “Bring Down Your Glory” and “Master of the Universe,” Panam has been a strong voice in Nigerian gospel music for more than 40 years. (The Guardian)