Etisalat Presents Nigerian Idol

 Etisalat Nigeria has thrown its weight behind Nigerian Idol as the lead and title sponsor of the Show.
The company said the sponsorship is in demonstration of its commitment and interest to being a catalyst in the discovery of young talent and creating a platform to maximize their potential.
Optima Media Group (OMG) acquired the license from Fremantle Media UK to deliver the Idol experience in Nigeria.
The reality show, tagged ‘Giving Voice to Your Dreams’ will, few weeks from now commence the process of exciting viewers and changing the face of the Nigerian entertainment industry.
At a star-studded event in Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Lagos, Mr. Wael Ammar, Chief Commercial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, expressed his delight at the sponsorship.
Ammar said “through this platform, young Nigerians can give a voice to their dreams. But not just the contestants but also the host of talented men and women who are directors, content developers, producers, make up artists, voice coach, dance instructor etc, who will develop and execute this concept from start to finish and also utilize this platform to express their talent and in turn realize their dreams. There is no doubt that the future of this nation lies in the hands of our youths. We urge them to take this unique opportunity and make their dreams come true.”
Rotimi Pedro, CEO, Optimal Media Group, the licensee for Nigerian Idol said the competition would not be different from the American Idol and that Nigerians would have the priviledge of watching the reality show both on pay TV and terrestrial to give them the opportunity to choose the true Nigerian idol.
He said the Idol’s Bible which OMG possessed would be followed strictly to deliver the true idol experience.
Responding, Project Manager, Nigerian Idol, Chichi Nwoko said “I’m deeply impressed with the vision that has brought this partnership and Nigerian Idol to this country. It’s obvious that Idol is not a flash-in-the-pan concept. Currently it is in 45 countries and counting. It is a concept that over the years has become deeply embedded in our socio-cultural fabric. And we have no doubt that this concept will be warmly embraced by all Nigerians, and become a much anticipated annual event.”
Young people between 16 and 28 are eligible for the Nigeria Idol auditions and entries can be made on www.nigerianidol.com and closes end of October 2010 while auditions will commence in two weeks in Enugu, Calabar, Abuja and Lagos. 50 contestants will be selected from the auditions as finalists
The winner stands to win N2.5million and a recording contract with an international record label.
The reality show boasts of tried and trusted entertainment gurus as judges. They are Jeffrey Daniels (Member of 80’s hit group – Shalamar), Audu Makori (MD, Chocolate City – producer of MI, Djinee, Jesse Jags and other Nigerian music stars) and Yinka Davies (Singer, Song writer and Dancer). In the coming weeks, they have the onerous task of discovering a new generation of talented singers and performers, imparting knowledge and dishing advice in a constructive manner. 
Idol has been produced in many countries of the world including Germany, Turkey, Australia, Poland, USA, Sweden, France, Belgium, and in Asia including Saudi Arabia
It would be recalled that last year, Etisalat Nigeria held the most widely publicized game show in the history of reality TV shows in the country, with the grand finale winner, Kizito Egeonu a 400 hundred level Medical student of the University of Jos, winning 1 million dollar cash prize. The biggest single cash prize money in the history of promos in Nigeria and Africa.