Camera Set To Roll For Nigerian Idol Season 5

• Dede, Dare And Yinka Davies Retain Roles As Judges

FOR lovers of entertainment, exciting times are here once again. After months of fine-tuning the talent hunt project and sealing sponsorship deals, leading entertainment franchise owners, Optima Media Group and lead sponsor, Etisalat Nigeria have unveiled the season five of TV reality show Nigerian Idol. 

      The media launch, which was held at Mela Rossa, Awolowo Road, Lagos, is indeed a sign of what is to come in the new season, which has retained Dede Mabiaku, Yinka Davies and Dare Art Alade as judges.

     Speaking at the launch, the Executive Director of Optima Media Group (OMG), Nigerian Idol franchise owners, Mrs. Ugochi Pedro noted that the reality show has established its mark as a leading talent hunt platform that is providing needed opportunities for budding music stars to be discovered and nurtured for stardom.

    “For five years running, we have been on this interesting journey of changing lives and helping people achieve life dreams. The key thing for us is to see these discovered talents become the real stars they are designed to be. We are taking this commitment to a new level this season. Nigerians can expect many exciting moments ahead,” she said. 

     Mrs. Pedro also enjoined young Nigerians with promising career in music to take advantage of the Nigerian Idol platform to showcase their talents on a global stage while creating a career path for themselves.

     Also speaking, Director, Brands and Experience Mr. Enitan Denloye, described this edition of the Nigerian Idol show as a season of differentiation that will raise the bar in every aspect of the show. He informed that part of the expectations would be to see young musical talent that will bring about the value of creativity into music.   

    A successful debut in 2010 won by Yeka Onka, the following years saw the emergence of Mercy Chinwo, Moses Adigwe and Zebili Evelyn (Evelle). Year after years, the show grows in popularity and followership on the basis of the unique platforms it offers to young Nigerians with exceptional music talent. It is the only music TV reality show in Nigeria with a global appeal that currently cuts across 46 countries.

    Meanwhile, three celebrity judges have been unveiled for the season. They include Afrobeat star, Dede Mabiaku, Vocalist Yinka Davies and R’n’ B crooner, Dare ‘Art’ Alade. Interestingly, the trio has featured in these roles in past editions.

     In a related development, Collins Tadeniawo has emerged the season five Press Idol after topping the pole in a Karaoke-style singing competition exclusive to members of the press. He was awarded a cash prize of a thousand US Dollars for his efforts.

    The reality show focuses on discovering Nigerian youths with talent in music and giving them a unique platform to take shots at stardom. The eventual winner goes home with N7.5 million cash reward, a brand new car, a recording deal worth N7.5 million and some high-end devices. Auditions are expected to continue with Port Harcourt playing host in the weekend of January 16 -18. Other centres that will follow suit include Abuja, Ibadan and Lagos. It would be recalled the Benin auditions were held last weekend. 

     Nigerian Idol season five will feature such enthralling performances which were the hallmarks of past winners among whom are Yeka Onka, Mercy Chinwo, Moses Adigwe and Zibili Evelyn who goes by the stage name Evelle.