BIOGRAPHY OF JERRY J. DAWUDA
The Christafarian Jerry J. Dawuda who’s popularly known as Gospel Soldier, an influential, dedicated, well disciplined, social and inspirational Gospel Reggae music minister, the Founder/International president of International Gospel Reggae Music Ministers Association (INTERGOREMMA), the President J.J. Dawuda Movie and Music Industries International, the Director Gospel Soldiers Band International etc. Was born on the 16th day of April 1971 by 2:00pm to the family of Rev. Dawuda Yakubu Angulu an Ex – military officer Nigeria Army 125 Battalion Ohafia and Pastor Mrs. Paulina D.Y. Angulu Jerry musical carrier was greatly influenced by his elder brother Pastor Solomon Dawuda a wonderful and talented song writer/Vocalist and drummer.
`In the mid 70s both of them went into playing secular reggae music as Rastafarians because then modern musical instruments like guitar, keyboard, drums etc where not welcomed in the church, hence they chose Burning Spear as a role model. They formed a band called Reggae Plantations in the late 70s composing many songs, later in the year 1980 their Uncle a good guitarist by named Prince Habila Maigida Audu came from Zaria to Yola where Rev. Dawuda Yakubu Angulu (Jerry’s Father) was posted to as a Church Planter, then it was EKAN Church which at that same period been renamed as Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRCN).
Prince Habila came with two lead guitars one given to him by a white woman in Zaria while Jerry whom in his school days called Jerry Rasta had a portable keyboard already. Habila’s coming became a great hope and empowerment for the Reggae Plantations as the merged to continue as Reggae Plantations, then their Uncle Prince Habila M. Audu became their band leader, they converted one of Habila’s lead guitars to bass guitar and were waxing stronger every blessed day.
That fame in the mid 80s pulled the entire Rev. Dawuda’s family into music Sister Tamar (second born) whom Jerry followed became a very good lead vocalist and song composer, Brother Adonijah also known as Bisalla who is next to Jerry became a good bass guitarist, while Sister Godiya their last born became a good bass guitarist/keyboardist/drummer and vocalist. Then their father Rev. Dawuda who was also a good song composer insisted that they should bring into the church these gifts of music but it was not possible because in the other hand the Reggae Plantations’ band was polling wave performing in so many places, they were even advertising many companies like Guinness, Sona Breweries, Benson and Hedges, Coca Cola, Faro Bottling Company, Limca and others. The band comprises of people like Habila as the band leader being the eldest, Solomon Dawuda lead vocalist/Conga drummer/backups, Jerry J Dawuda lead vocalist/bass guitarist/keyboardist. There he began to work and develop himself on the rhythm and lead guitar, Yakubu Lodiya bass guitarist/lead vocalist/rhythm guitarist who is the same father with Jerry’s grandmother (Maternal), Samuel Habila (Habila’s first son) who was then a very small boy but a determined keyboardist/Backups, Rimamsikwe Dauda (Bamboris) a wonderful bass guitarist, then the band began to wax more stronger when other members began to come in people like Ephraim Adi, labaran (Labros) a wonderful multi guitarist who used to play in the Republic of Central Africa, Paul Bisa a wonderful lead guitarist who also played in the Republic of Central Africa alongside Loketo, Awilo Longomba and many others. Ibrahim Ahmed then known as Baba K but now is popular known as Funkiest Mallam a wonderful singer and comedian who later left us with the Arts Council band and joined Fumi Adams band from there went to London and later moved to New York in USA, Benjamin Joseph an Idoma guy who started with us as a conga drummer but now a wonderful drummer in the United States of America (USA) after joining Bishop Fred Ado in Yola they left for Kaduna where Ben later moved to Lagos and finally settled in USA. Steve Omega Sanda a good guitarist/Song writer, the band gradually metamorphosed from the Reggae Plantations to Habila and the Reggae Plantations, to Habila and the Reggae Beats, to Habila and the Music Makers, to Habila and the Family Band, this time most of the guys that joined them began to leave. Baba K left, Benjamin joined Bishop Fred Ado and they move away from Yola to Kaduna where he finally left him. Habila too gave birth to some of his children like Paulina, James and Genesis. Jerry told Habila to train his children well because as the situation was, any moment people will go away and he will be alone. So, Habila began to engage his children like Paulina his daughter on keyboard and James his son on bass guitar and as he continued to have other children they received training too like Genesis on the drums, Augustine his brother’s son as backup then the band finally became Habila’s family band Jerry and many others in 1988 were Taken on contact bases to play for the Gongola State Government Under the Ministry of Arts and Culture. The dreadlocked Rasta man Jerry Japhet Dawauda and his elder brother Solomon and Ephrain Adi took a bolt step to make an album titled IT’S TIME TO UNITE, Mr. Omo the owner of Old and New Omo Hotels in Takum then Gongola state in the late 80s agreed to sponsor Jerry’s music album, but for brotherly love and unity Jerry called on his elder brother Solomon for them to blow together and to bring back the Reggae Plantation spirit alive in another style they took a name again called the burning dreads the movement stoped at demo recording at Rogers All Stars in Onitsha just for a little disagreement between themselves. Not long within the same year Solomon and Jerry took another radical step and changed name to Reggae soldiers, they went to Tabansi Studio Onitsha then Mr. Godwin Tabansi was the Managing Director of the Tabansi Studios. The Reggae soldiers were accepted by Tabansi to be signed in five weeks time but disagreement came against and the journey ended there.
The following year Jerry went back to Tabansi Studio Onitsha alone and began to work with Tabansi studio and also Rogers All Stars in Onitsha and Awka their he made friend with musicians like Majek Fashek, Francis Goldman, Black Moses, Francis Nikoro, Endy Rasta, Felix Liberty, Jah Wisdom, Tony Nse, New Waves, Obi Nwako, meeting and playing with many other stars like Sam Cee, Mkem Owoh, Senorita Agaracha, Prince Nicho Mbarga, Maxwell Udo, oritz Williki; Ras Kimono, The Mandators in Lagos, they also played in kalakuta Republic of Fela and many other stars some are dead now but some are still alive. Jerry joined the Pman Association and became famous in live music performances in many parts of Nigeria and beyond. Jerry hated Gospel Musicians especially Panam Percy Paul. He was signed by Tabansi studio for his Album Title SITUATION. During the situation album recording in Tabansi studio, life challenges began to strike and serious messages were sent through letter from the government for him to come back to work because there were so many government programmers on ground.
Jerry left Onitsha to Yola that’s how he couldn’t go back to Tabansi studio. They continue their tours in music (live performances). In the years, 1994 after when Ephraim Adi left the band and joint the church band shaving his dreadlocks that he has become born again, then Sunday Chishlom Jerry’s friend who also plays the same Band with Jerry, replaced Ephraim in the Reggae Soldiers’ Band led by Solomon Dawuda they three of them were taken to owerri Imo State capital for a programme by Chief Emmanuel Iwanyau and his Nephew Barr Vitalis C Onachukwu the Reggae Soldiers lawyer for the launching of his book titled ‘Societal discipline and problem from the perspective of the Nigerian youths’ at the Multipurpose Hall Owerri, that hosted prof. Wale Soyinka, Mr. Sam Mbakwe the Governor of the former Imo State and many other great men in Nigeria. The same year 1994 Jerry got another sponsorship to produce an album by a man from Delta State called Mr. Gospel Idama living in Jimeta Yola, Jerry called on his elder brother Solomon again, so that they will move together as Reggae Soldiers, sadly, disagreement came again between them and that also passed away like a shadow.
In the year 1995 Jerry was taken to Wukari Taraba State Nigeria to train the Celestial Church of Christ choir (CCC) by an old musician who letter become Jerry’s Manager Engr. Sunday David Otitolaye popularly known as Mr. Sunny Otis a man from Kaba, who used to play guitar and drums in those days. There at the CCC church Jerry was able to raise many musicians, people like Joseph Daodu popularly known as Mr. FT he was the CCC choirmaster, Henry Ishie who later became a soldier (Nigeria Army Officer), Victor Michael also known as Jide who also became a soldier (Nigeria Army Officer) and many others both men and women. Because of Jerry’s ability to train or teach well, the Bishop of St. Mary’s Catholic Church Wukari paid him to train their band while he was still a Natty dreadlock Rasta man. For Jerry’s disciplined nature and the godly foundation he had from his parents, so many churches and bands within Wukari began to invite him to train them in music. Jerry picked interest and joy on training church bands which he went as far as forming and planting musical bands in churches. As of then he was a full member of the Africa church which his father was a Reverend, Jerry formed a band called Amazing Singers Band in The Holy Trinity Africa Church Wukari Diocesan Cathedral as the first band in the diocese, there he raised Akentere David a strong weapon and file choir master, for that wherever his father was posted or transferred to, Jerry will follow and form a band there. Some of these bands are Christ Gospel Band of Christ African church Takum, St. Peters African Church band Sondi, St. Paul’s African Church band Donga up to his father’s last station at Gidin Dorowa under Wukari Diocese to mention but a few. These bodies now he brought them together as an association he named African Church Amalgamated Music Ministers (ACAMMIN). Jerry became the first acting president and later became the first elected President of the ACAMMIN with an excellent leadership and raised so many musicians today with a great legacy. The ACAMMIN today organizes annual music concerts, which is highly respected to date and forever if Christ tarries. In the early 1997 Jerry met one of his elder brothers by name Dr. Bawa B. Boyi the owner of Biyama hospitals and mighty hotels in the country today like Rohi Grand Suit etc. Dr. Biyama had a music ministry called Praise Garden Ministry which he handed to Jerry for training and leadership, there he trained people like Ernest Israel Ali, Emoh Bulus, Rimamsanati Dajuma, Engr. John Yamusa who later own Jesus Family Band and many other musicians. They were playing gospel music together in crusades, wedding programs, churches etc. it was then that Jerry had a call of a company to sign him with other musicians in Lagos after their tour of 13 states in the United States of America (USA), at that time Jerry planned to return and nationalize in Jamaica after the deal with the company. One day as Jerry was preparing for his journey, his father called him to the Alter in the church and prayed for him while his younger brother Adonijah (Bisalla) snaped them as they were in the church. Jerry believed that was his last days of living with his own people in Nigeria, even his cousin brother Dr. Bawa B. Boyi (Biyama Hospital) settled him with some amount of money already. After his father’s message and prayer, Jerry testified that something strange occurred to him, he lost his consciousness, after some minutes, his eyes began to see stars moving up and down instantly Jerry gave his life to Jesus Christ and shaved his dreadlocks on Sun. 2nd August, 1998 At Christian Reformed Church of Nigeria (CRCN) LCC Puje Wukari Taraba State, Nigeria west African. At that time Rev. Luka Awudu Aka Pastor Oh Yes was the resident Pastor. Jerry’s testimony and dreadlocks shaving day brought Christians together irrespective of their tribe or denomination and position.
The newly born again Jerry Dawuda from Rastafarian to christafarian said he will not change his course as a Reggae musician, to him he said playing of Reggae music is a worship and preaching the word of God he said there is no music on the planet earth that can convey message clearly without spot nor wrinkle like Reggae music. Reggae beat is not a sin and music is not a crime. Reggae style in itself creates discipline to both the musicians and the listeners. Moreover he said music itself is a living link between the heart of God and the heart of man. He added that praise and worship can be delivered in word in song and in body expression. That mean in preaching, in music, in drama, singing, dancing and giving thanks to God. Hence he chose to do all I will delivered all to God my creator reserving noting. He said many music ministers are afraid to be called entertainers because of ignorance and the wrong teachings of their teachers, he added that I am the greatest entertainer in the whole world! If your entertainment ends in man, I entertain God himself! Do you see why I said I am the greatest entertainer in the whole world? Entertainment is not a sin, it is the greatest weapon to win souls that’s why the devil is trying to keep it for himself and his people. Christians must be very careful when they teach. If you don’t keep entertainment in the light you will keep it in the dark. It you don’t get entertainment in the church you will follow it to the world where you get your earthly pleasures which you consider free of sin. God said the heavens the earth and the fullness they of belong to me. Then who are you to compete with him? The devil is just but a lier, he is nothing but an empty lion. Personally I see the devil as a rubber lion in another word a toy, he is and can do nothing to any-one who truly trust and believe in God alone.
Jerry met Baba Rtd.Major Paul Mokungah the biological father of Dr. Paman Percy Paul who was a friend to his father when they were serving in the Army way back in Zaria/Kaduna and their wives bearing the same name Paulina were also friends.
In the late 98 Baba Paul sent Jerry to his son Dr. Panam Percy Paul in Jos Plateau State Nigeria, there Jerry found favor in the side of Panam who sponsored him to study music and pastoral course in Panam College Jos and sponsored him further in life to become a figure both home and abroad.
Jerry J. Dawuda popularly known as Gospel Soldier is called and separated to serve God in the Prophetic office. Jerry produced his first Gospel album sponsored by Dr. Panam Percy Paul and produced by Engr. Bitrus Bature Badung of the former Greenwood studio, bright way street Jos Plateau State and Panam Music World Jos. In the year 1999 titled TESTIMONY with a track titled I AM A SOLDIER which took him round countries. In the year 2000/2001he recorded COMPLIMENT OF LOVE while in the year 2003 he dedicated an album titled NO SECURITY at the Christ African Church Takum when his father was the Pastor of the church. All that Jerry sang in the no security song since the years 2002 – 2003 is actually what is happening today in Nigeria and beyond.
Apart Jerry’s upbringing as a son of a Pastor and Panam as a mentor, he met with people who contributed to his spiritual growth in both Panam College and other places. People like Pastor Tom Moses, Pastor Harris John Gupai the administrator of Panam College Jos which Jerry letter became his Assistant, Pastor Obed Akanya, Pastor Joshua Bulus, Pastor Chris Delvan Gwamna, Rev. Yohanna Adams Founder/General overseer Global Faith Assembly Yola, Pastor Chris Abraham, Rev. Dr. Caleb Ahima TEKAN General Secretary who later became CRCN President, Pastor Peter Ozodo, Bishop Dr. Jonah Ali Founder/General overseer Zion Evangelical Church Wukari, Pastor Emmanuel Suyi of Living Faith Church Jerry’s Pastor in Lagos.
In an exclusive chart with J.J. Dawuda the Christafarian he said in a deep voice “I will never forget Baba Rtd Major Paul Mokungah for the love and trust he had for me by sending me to his son Dr. Panam Percy Paul to become my mentor in this ministry. Jerry as a student in Panam College worked harder and became a teacher went he was still a student, he graduated and awarded the best overall student of Panam College set 3 in the year 2000 AD. And became the Chief Instructor in Panam College 2000 – 2003.
Jerry owned the first music recording studio in Taraba State named El-Shammah music studio No.6 Hospital road beside Coca Cola depot Wukari, Taraba State Nigeria West Africa in the year 2003 empowered by his elder brother Dr. Bawa B. Boyi (Biyama Hospital). He got another opportunity to live in London in the year 2007 but his father instructed him to stay and serve him, so Jerry became his father’s driver to the time the father died on 26th April, 2011 and was buried on the 13th of May 2011 in Donga Taraba State Nigeria. Life then became so difficult for Jerry but he didn’t give up despite so many discouragements around him.
Jerry formed the first movie and music industry in Taraba State namely J.J Dawuda Movie and Music Industries International where he began to raise Actors and Musicians, using his talent and skills to develop some obscured talents in different field, including the ministry of the word of God.
In the year 2010- 2013 he trained Actors and produced the first Jukun movie titled NUMKPA’A (Unyadura) part 1-4, WAPAN I TSAZADI, in 2019 the begging of corona in the world and shot a Jukun Movie titled ADEMU the year 2020 with Steve O Sanda his cousin brother a movie producer whom they have been into music together from childhood.
Jerry is married to Joy J.J. Dawuda a wonderful and anointed singer who also works with Federal Medical Centre hence they continue together as Gospel Soldiers.