Etisalat Begins Hunt for Future Star with Abuja Audition of Nigerian Idol 3

Season three of the exciting reality TV music show Nigerian Idol sponsored by Etisalat, is finally here. Many aspiring singers have been setting their sights on this show as they come out to show what they’ve got to Nigeria in the hopes of winning the title of Nigeria’s favourite singer as well as the opportunity to become a star.  The first leg of the auditions started in Abuja with different people showing their talent and Etisalat, the nation’s most innovative telecommunications service provider was there to support them.

 

The surprise of the show was the appearance of Afrobeat Icon Femi Kuti as a judge on the show, replacing His Royal Punkness Charlie Boy from last season. Check out the interview with Femi as he shared his thoughts on the show and his expectations from the participants. 

The audition which held at Rock View Hotel, Wuse 2, Abuja saw over 2,000 contestants drawn from from Abuja and neighbouring cities in North Central Nigeria like, Jos, Kaduna, Makurdi, among others jostle for a chance to sing before the judges for this season, including Jeffrey Daniels, Yinka Davies, and Femi Kuti.

Head, Events & Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Ms. Modupe Thani said she was impressed at the turn out of people at this season’s audition in Abuja, saying that this was a great increase from last year’s auditions. “What we witnessed during day one of the audition was really fantastic. Nigeria’s blessed with abundant talent that needs to be expressed and that is what we are doing here; giving Nigerians a platform to showcase their musical talents through the biggest music show.” she said, but expressed confidence that the next audition in Port Harcourt will surpass the attendance in Abuja.

“At Etisalat, we believe in the future of the Nigerian music industry, and that is why we are grooming this generation now to produce the voice of tomorrow. We are in the business of impacting positively on the lives of Nigerian youths. We support a number of youth-oriented programmes that add value, making them be all they can be, and Nigerian Idol is one of such ways,” she said.

The next auditions will hold in the garden city of Port Harcourt on the 20th of October at the Presidential Hotel, from where the audition train will move to, Concorde Hotel, Owerri on the 27th of October. Benin residents and environs will also be part of the show as auditions will hold at the Excalibur Hotel on the 3rd of November and the last phase of the audition will be in Lagos on the 10th November at Bamako Studios.

Total prize for season three winner is a thrilling twenty million Naira which will be a 7.5 million Naira cash, 7.5 million naira record contract and brand new SUV, while the runner up will be presented with 1.5 million naira and a saloon car which will be presented by Etisalat.

The show will be broadcast on STV, NTA network and AIT come December 16th, 2012.