Optima Media Group and sponsor Etisalat Communications have formally unveiled Season 5 of the music TV reality show Nigerian Idol. At the unveiling Wednesday night in Lagos, South-West, Nigeria, the organisers said this season is an improvement from the previous seasons aimed at not only giving the programme’s fans quality viewing but also discovering untapped musical acts.

Speaking at the event, Enitan Denloye, Director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat, said the mission of the episode is to get a problem of choice because the season will reveal a huge value of creativity. He stated that part of the expectations would be to see young musical talent that will bring about the value of creativity into music.

“Nigerian Idol is one of the platforms we find very credible that we use to connect the youth and that is why the Season 5 is tomorrow music star developer. We believe you must either stand out or fall out,” he said.

On her part, Ugochi Pedro, Executive Director of Optima Media Group (OMG), Nigerian Idol franchise owners, noted that the reality show has established its mark as a leading talent hunt platform that is providing needed opportunities for budding music stars to be discovered and nurtured for stardom.

“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 see these discovered talents become the real stars they are designed to be. We are taking this commitment to a new level this season. Nigerians can expect many exciting moments ahead,” she said.

Mrs. Pedro enjoined young Nigerians with promising career in music to take advantage of the Nigerian Idol platform to showcase themselves on a global stage while creating a career path for themselves.

The organisers said that to distinguish the season from the past, there will be a new set, a new Executive Director and a new Director.

One visible change is the return of multitalented entertainer and pioneer judge Yinka Davies, Afrobeat maestro Dede Mabiaku and R ’n’ B crooner Darey Art Alade.

The audition train kicked off January 10 in Benin City, Edo State. This will be followed by Port Harcourt this weekend, on January 17, Abuja on January 24, Ibadan on January 31 and Lagos on February 7 and 8.

The first episode for Season 5 is expected to air in March. The eventual winner goes home with N7.5 million cash reward, a brand new car, a recording deal worth N7.5 million and some high-end devices.

Nigerian Idol Season 5 is expected to feature enthralling performances which were the hallmarks of past winners among whom are Yeka Onka, Mercy Chinwo, Moses Adigwe and Zibili Evelyn who goes by the stage name Evelle.

Notable Nigerian performers at the unveiling included hip hop artistes Olamide, Dammy Krane, YQ, Cynthia Morgan, Kiss Daniel, Run Town and PRE.

•Photo shows Evelle, the Nigerian Idol Season 4 winner (left), with OMG and Etisalat officials at the Season 5 unveiling . . . Wednesday night in Lagos.

Update news