In a world where many would trade values for visibility, legendary gospel singer Dr. Panam Percy Paul made a decision in 1995 that shook the industry — and still echoes today.
In a soul-stirring conversation with Pastor Emmanuel Iren, the veteran singer revealed how he walked away from a staggering £24 million record deal—a fortune that, at the time, equaled over 7 billion naira.
At the peak of his music ministry, Dr. Panam was approached with what seemed like a golden opportunity: a three-year contract, global exposure, and unimaginable wealth. But the offer came with a condition that rattled him to the core.
“The catch was: ‘Can you reduce the number of times you call the name Jesus in your songs?’” he recalled.
And that wasn’t all.
“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.’”
Stunned by the request, Panam didn’t flinch. His response was simple but firm — a bold declaration of faith:
“I told them, you can keep the money, while I keep the name.”
In a time when gospel music is gradually morphing into commercialized entertainment, Dr. Panam laments how things have changed. He pointed out how the ministry has slowly become an industry, where business trends now dictate spiritual expression.
“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,” he said.
He even gave an example:
“It was the marketers in Alaba that encouraged the musicians to add tongues to their songs.”
For Panam, gospel music has never been about money or fame — it’s been about a name. A name he refused to trade, no matter the cost.
