Lagos, Nigeria; November 10, 2011: Emotions ran high and low as the Etisalat sponsored Nigerian Idol brought the last leg of the regional auditions to Lagos. The state known as the center of excellence did not disappoint in terms of participants as potential stars trooped in “en masse” to take part in what they believed would be the platform for achieving their dreams of becoming stars.
Etisalat Nigeria, the nation`s leading innovative telecoms company was on hand during the event to register SIM cards and give customer care support when needed by any of the participants. Speaking at the audition, Mr. Femi Asipa, the Sponsorship and Marketing Manager of Etisalat said that beyond providing world class innovative services to Nigerian consumers, Etisalat Nigeria is using the music platform to give Nigerian youths the opportunity to showcase their talents and achieve their dreams. With the tag line, “Ignite your dream” Etisalat hopes to inspire more youths to follow their passion not only in music, but whatever it may be.
The Nigerian Idol Lagos audition took place at the dream studios in the Ikeja area of the state and lasted over a five day period. The first three days Friday, the 4th to Sunday the 6th of November were for the preliminaries while the last two days the 8th and the 9th were slated for those who were fortunate enough to make it through the first three days. At this stage they would perform before the celebrity judges where they would be asked to either stay and make it into the next stage or go home and try for another season.
A total of ninety participants will be shortlisted to go for the next stage of the competition. However, there are those who received a golden ticket for their outstanding performances and will skip the next short listing stage thereby making it directly to the house.
One of the contestants Stylkelly, a physically challenged person who faced the celebrity judges and got through to the next stage of the audition said he dedicated his success at that stage to all the physically challenged stating there is always ability in disability.
Another contestant Obinna Michael, a student who thrilled the judges, won a golden card which allows direct access to the house said that he had been trying in the past but had never gotten this far in the competition adding that this stages success is a testament to persistence and believing in ones dreams. He thanked Etisalat for bringing this kind of platform to Nigeria and the opportunity that had been given to him to make it to the finals and hoped to make it to the finals.
For some it was not all smiles as a number of contestants burst into tears when they were told that they didn`t make it to the next stage.
The winner of this year’s competition, smiles away with $100,000 in cash, a recording contract, and gifts including a brand new SUV, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry, and an iPod. The first runner up gets N1.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, Blackberry and iPod; and the 2nd runner up will receive N1million, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod. Finalists from 4th to 10th place also receive each, N100, 000, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod.
The show will begin airing December 4, until the winner is announced at a grand gala in April, 2012.
