Renowned entertainment franchise owners, Optima Media Group, and the lead sponsor, Etisalat Nigeria, have unveiled the Season 5 of the leading TV reality show, Nigeria Idol.
The companies announced the commencement of the new season on Wednesday at a media launch held at Mela Rossa, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Speaking at the launch, the Director of Optima Media Group, Nigerian Idol franchise owners, Ugochi Pedro, noted that the reality of the show has established its mark as a leading talent hunt platform that is providing the needed opportunities for budding music stars to be discovered and nurtured for stardom.
Pedro said: “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 use these discovered talents become the real stars that they are designed to be.
“We are taking this commitment to new level this season.
“Nigerians can expect many exciting moments.”
Pedro also enjoined young Nigerians with promising career in music to take advantage of the Nigerian Idol platform to show themselves on a global stage, while creating a career path for themselves.
Also speaking, Enitan Denloye, the Director of Brands and Experience, described this edition of the Nigerian Idol show as a season of differentiation that will be raising the bar in every aspect of the show.
Denloye stated that part of the expectations would be to see young musical talents that will bring about value of creativity into music.
Meanwhile, three celebrity judges have been unveiled for the season.
They are Afro beat star, Dede Mabiaku; vocalist, Yinka Davies; and R n B crooner, Dare Art Alade.
Interestingly, the trio have featured in these roles in the past editions.
In a related development, Collins Tadinawo, has emerged the winner of Season 5 for Press Idol for topping the pole in a Karaoke style singing competition exclusive to members of the press.
Tadinawo was awarded a cash prize of $1,000 for his efforts.
According to the organisers, the winner of this year’s edition will take home N7.5 million cash reward, a brand new car, a recording deal worth 7.5 million and some high-end devices.
Auditions are expected to continue with Port Harcourt, Rivers State playing host over the weekend of January 16 to 18.
Others will follow suit in Abuja, Ibadan and Lagos.
It would recalled the audition was held in Benin City, Edo State last weekend.