Panam Percy Paul Rejects N7 Billion Deal to Reduce ‘Jesus’ in His Songs
Renowned Nigerian gospel singer and songwriter, Dr. Panam Percy Paul, has revealed that he once turned down a highly lucrative record deal because it required him to compromise his faith.
Speaking in a chat with Pastor Emmanuel Iren, the veteran musician recounted how, in 1995, he was offered a staggering £24 million (approximately N7 billion at the time) for a three-year contract. However, the deal came with a condition that he found unacceptable—reducing the mention of “Jesus” in his songs.
According to Paul, the record label suggested alternative names such as “Righteous One” or “Greatest Lover”, claiming that he didn’t need to emphasize the name Jesus in his lyrics. Shocked by the request, the gospel minister refused the offer outright, choosing to stand firm in his faith.
“I was at the peak of ministry and success in the industry when I received this offer. The condition was simple—‘Can you reduce the number of times you call the name Jesus in your songs?’ They even said I could use other names like Righteous One or Greatest Lover. But I told them, ‘You can keep the money, while I keep the name.’”
Dr. Panam Percy Paul also lamented the increasing commercialization of gospel music, stating that the industry has changed significantly, with record labels and marketers now dictating what gospel artists should sing, how to sing, and when to release their music.
“Today, music ministry has now become a music industry, where industry players dictate to ministers what to do. For example, it was the marketers in Alaba that encouraged musicians to add tongues to their songs,” he added.
His revelation has sparked discussions among gospel music lovers, with many praising his unwavering commitment to spreading the gospel through his music.
