6,000 youths line-up for Etisalat’s Nigerian Idol

Over 6,000 Nigerian youths participated in the just concluded Nigerian Idol 2010 being sponsored by Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) operator, Etisalat Nigeria.

Disclosing this exclusively in a chat with ITRealms Online last weekend at the Lagos audition centre at Ogba-Ikeja, Lagos, the chief commercial officer (CCO), Etisalat Nigeria, Mr. Wael Ammar said that they were not disappointed with the number of participants, which is an indication of the kind of enormous talents disposal to Nigerians.

“We have about 6,000 so far that registered for the audition nationwide,” he told ITRealms Online.

Mr. Ammar who recalled that in September, Etisalat had launched the Nigerian Idol during a press conference in Lagos and its intension to sponsor this year’s Nigerian Idol.

“We have started since the last month with the auditioning in Calabar, Enugu and Abuja and now in Lagos. We introduced the Nigerian Idol to help in discovering the talents hidden in Nigerians, especially the youths,” he said.

Stressing that the number of youths who lined up till the end of the street for this auditioning in Lagos, is an indication of its success, are the run-up activities to the main selection of who would be the Nigerian Idol.

“This has been the experience since this started in Lagos last Friday,” he declared.
I think it is a great turnout and great success for Etisalat’s Nigerian Idol
Affirming that the youthful crowd is the level of acceptance of Etisalat as brand in the country and particularly the youths, Mr. Ammar noted that Nigerian youth are already motivated.

“I think what I have seen in this country is that Nigerians are already motivated but they just need a platform to prove themselves and now doing that is what we are doing through Etisalat’s sponsored Nigerian Idol,” he said.

This, he said, offers an opportunity to Nigerian youths to prove themselves and for the world to discover their talents.

“Basically as we say in Etisalat, we give you the voice to your dreams through the Etisalat’s sponsorship of the Nigerian Idol,” he enthused.

Further, he explained that the main countdown, would start once they are done with the auditioning which ended last weekend in Lagos.

“Once we are done with the auditioning, that would be when it could be aired or broadcasted to the entire world basically in November,” he said.

Ammar equally enjoined subscribers on the network to remain steadfast so as to be actively involved in choosing who emerges as the Nigerian Idol eventually by ensuring that they vote and watch the performances on selected broadcast stations nationwide.

“… Follow up as the countdown begins and vote for their favourite candidates to emerge as the Nigerian Idol,” he advised.

ITRealms Online recalls that Etisalat Nigeria, had on September 21, this year proclaimed its sponsorship of Nigerian Idol at a star-studded event in Sheraton Hotel & Towers, Ikeja, Lagos. The reality show, tagged ‘Giving Voice to Your Dreams,’ which promises to change the face of Nigerian entertainment industry.

Ammar had noted then that “From the onset we have assured our consumers that we intend not only to be their preferred telecoms operator but also their partner for life. Our desire is to enable them achieve their dreams and aspirations. The sponsorship of Nigerian Idol is one of the many ways we choose to empower the youth of our nation.”

He emphasized that through this, young Nigerians could give a voice to their dreams, adding that it 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 to name a few; 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,” he said.

Equally speaking, Project Manager, Nigerian Idol, Ms. Chichi Nwoko expressed happiness over the partnership.

“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. We have no doubt that this concept will be warmly embraced by all Nigerians, and become a much anticipated annual event,” Nwoko asserted.

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