Kanyi Okeke
The contestants got the nod ahead of 70 others after putting up impressive showing during a technically gruelling three-day theatre audition sessions conducted by the show’s celebrity judges, Dede Mabiaku, Yinka Davies and Darey ‘Art’ Alade at the OMG’s Dream Studios, Ojodu-Omole in Lagos.
Among those who made the top 30 acts include Ogunmoyero Modolowamu, Iwuchukwu Franca, Oyinkepreye Deborah Toun, Edema Paradise Weyinmi, Aisosa Edeh-Nosa, Janet Ebiwari Ayoka, Anya Precious Chukusoro,Tama Nisa, Maurice Nandom Dagwa, Godson Goodluck, Annabel Paul Blacledge, Ogunrombi Kunle, Esther Aritheshoma Monday, Adigwe Brenda Ada and Okukusie Precious Ajiri.
Others are Ekeoma Victor Chibuzor, Olowojoba Segun David, Clinton Oti, Paul Manuwa, Harry Etim , Efuetanu Tobore Ezekiel, Sopriye Opusunju, Orah Ojochenemi John, Kelvin Oluwaseyi Audu, Osayomore Joseph Ighonogie, Okemiri Uloma Margaret, Iheanacho Ogechi Nancy, Omodele Diana Fatoki, Obasi Oluchi Ojukwu and Ese-Amadasun Imuetiyan
It was however a disappointing end to the aspirations of some of the contestants who failed to make the cut for the group stage. Among these are Emmanuel Bassey from the Ibadan auditions centre and golden ticket winners, 19 years –old Moneke Chisom Scholarstica and Ame Igiri, the 24 years-old medical student who was rewarded with a flight ticket by the three celebrity judges at the Abuja zonal auditions.
“I have learnt my lessons though in a hard way,” began a relaxed Ame. “This is my first time on this, so I did not quite understand what it would take to get to the next phase. I will go work on the things that went wrong.”
The theatre auditions offer the platform for the emergence of 30 most impressive contestants who subsequently progress to the group stage of the multi-million naira reality show.
The 30 contestants will perform before live audiences in three batches of ten from which three most outstanding performers will emerge per batch through a public voting process. The nine best performers pooled from the three batches through the voting process will be joined by three others through the judges’ wild cards to add up to the final 12.
Meanwhile, the broadcast of the Nigerian Idol season 5 on both terrestrial and satellite stations continues weekend of March 28 and 29 across the country. It promises to offer real time fun and quality entertainment to the millions of viewers and fans of the family-oriented talent-hunt show.
Nigerian Idol season 5 are aired on Saturdays and Sundays on the following terrestrial and satellite TV Stations: NTA National (3.30–4.30 pm on Saturdays and 4.30-5.30 pm on Sundays), STV (both DSTV and Terrestrial, 9-10pm), Superscreen (9pm)and Smash Tv (8pm on CONSAT). Others stations on Startimes are WAP Tv (9pm), AMC (7pm), Rave Tv (7pm), Cool Tv (9pm), Wazobia Tv (8.30pm), Real Star Tv (8pm), Oodua Tv (7pm) and V. Channels Tv (8pm).
Nigerian Idol is in its fifth season after a successful debut in 2010 won by Yeka Onka. In the following years which saw the emergence of Mercy Chinwo, Moses Adigwe and Zebili Evelyn (Evelle), it has grown 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.
Nigerian Idol 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 with Universal Records and some high-end devices.
