Nigerian Idol 5 Ends In Style as K-Peace Carts Home Top Prize

After over five months of thrilling the Nigerian public with best of music performances from the country’s leading crop of budding talents, the curtains came down on the season five of the Nigerian Idol TV Reality Show at the weekend in a grand style.

The occasion also threw up a new winner of the Show, K-Peace real name Ogunrombi Olakunle who polled better vote counts than his closest challenger, Ogunmoyero Modoluwamu (Dolu).

It was always going to be an evening of unforgettable experience, excitement and fun for the guests, crew members and sponsors who had gathered inside the 500 capacity OMG’s Dream Studios and its adjoining overflows.

With a clear departure from the conventional shoot-day schedule, the grand finale had started mid-day with a red carpet cum cocktail albeit for the VIPs including members of the media.

Earlier in the day, Nigerian international superstar, Asa, had gone up stage for her rehearsals amid tight security which forbade any manner of recording, whether motion or still. She completed the rehearsal cycle that had begun five days earlier featuring the top 12 contestants and the celebrity judges, the trio of Dede Mabiaku, Draey ‘Art’ Alade and Yinka Davies.

Ugochi Pedro, executive director, Optima Media Group (OMG), Nigerian Idol licence holders got the show underway with a deserved welcome address that succinctly captured the essence of the evening: an evening of wholesome entertainment.

The top 12 contestants, including the winner and runners-up took time in turn to perform various Nigerian hit songs of the 80s such as the legendary Fela Kuti’s timeless song, ‘Lady’, Mike Okri’s ‘Omoge, ‘Under Pressure’ by Ras Kimono, Majek Fashek’s ‘Send Down The Rain’, Blakky’s ‘Rosy’ and ‘Wait for Me’, a duet by the legendary Onyeka Onwenu and King Sunny Ade. The judges were not left out as they took turn to perform various numbers.

Stand-up comedian, Acapella was in his elements as he kept the audience reeling with laughter from his rich vein of rib-cracking jokes.

As the show wore on, the audience were itching to know whom the winner was.

There were whispers, and a seeming divided opinion over who deservedly should be crowned the season 5 idol.

All that was however put to rest when Show anchor, Illrhymz, dressed in bespoke white tuxedo suit with a black pant to match, called up the stage the two finalists, Dolu and K-Peace.

They were joined by officials of Etisalat and Executive Director of OMG, Ugochi Pedro. Both had proved worthy contenders for the top prize, but K-Peace eventually emerged the preferred choice of the voting public to become the fifth Nigerian Idol winner.

Earlier, Nigerian International music sensation, Asa, had serenaded the audience to the sound of some hit songs from her works.

Speaking shortly after emerging the winner, an elated K-Peace expressed his appreciation to the Nigerian public that ‘saw something’ in him and by him throughout the life of the competition.

His words, “It was a difficult journey because of the array of talents that participated in the competition. They were so good that it could have gone any person’s way. But I am happy that I am the winner today, and I want to thank the Nigerian public who saw something in me and gave me their votes.”

K-Peace now joins the list of winners of the leading TV reality show which include Yeka Onka, Mercy Chinwo, Moses Adigwe and Evelyn Zibili (Evelyn).

With the win, K-Peace was rewarded with N7.5 million cash top prize, a brand new Hyundai SUV, a recording deal worth N7.5 million with Universal Music label and some high-end devices.

Nigerian Idol focuses on discovering Nigerian youths with talent in music and giving them a unique platform to take shots at stardom. Season 5 was sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria, Payporte, Cool Fm, Tantalizers, Cadbury Nigeria, Zaron, Dabur Toothpaste, So-Klin, ORS and Ellis Suites.