Port Harcourt Hosts Etisalat Sponsored Nigerian Idol 4 Auditions

Nigerian Idol 4 Auditions judges: Nneka Egbuna, Dare Art Alade, and Nigerian
afrobeat-highlife musician, Dede Mabiaku of the West African Idol fame

Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State was agog recently when the search for the next set of super music talents arrived at the Garden City for the auditions of the Nigerian Idol Season 4, proudly sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria.

Despite the heavy traffic in the city early in the day, talented youths who apparently have been preparing for the day trooped in as early as 7am into the venue in large numbers. Within a twinkle of an eye, the Presidential Hotel venue, in the GRA area of the city was filled to the brim with participants some from neighbouring states, seeking the opportunity to perform in front of the judges and gain a chance to enroll in the show when it commences in Lagos, in March, 2014.

Speaking during the audition, one of the judges, Dare Art Alade expressed happiness with the progress the show has recorded in previous seasons. He further disclosed that Nigerian Idol is again looking for young talents that can use the Etisalat sponsored platform to jump-start their musical careers and hopefully become superstars.

Other judges of the Nigerian Idol season 4 are Nigerian born German singer, songwriter and MOBO Award Best African Act, Nneka Egbuna and Nigerian afrobeat/highlife musician, Dede Mabiaku of the West African Idol fame.

One of the contestants who received a golden ticket from the judges after her performance, Chidinma Okpara, said she is overwhelmed and short of words to describe how she feels. In her words, “It never occurred to me that I could get a golden ticket to the competition. I only hopped to do my song and get three yeses from the judges. I was surprised when the judges said I that gave them a fantastic performance and handed me a golden ticket which automatically takes me straight to Lagos to compete with other shortlisted candidates.”

Reiterating Etisalat’s commitment to the show, Head, Youth Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Elvis Daniel, said the goal of Nigerian Idol is not just about the monetary rewards, but about building capacity in the contestants through music lessons that they receive during the show, exposure to highly-rated musicians and the extraordinary ‘high-powered spirit’ of Etisalat.

“More than just a talent competition, Etisalat-sponsored Nigerian Idol allows viewers a unique opportunity to follow day by day, the behind-the-scene progress of the contestants in their quest for fame. The contestants will also be given the opportunity to meet and perform alongside their favourite stars who will be conducting exclusive master-classes and sharing their wisdom and tips for success.” Daniel said.

BrandArena repoted last month that the audition train kicked off from the ancient city of Benin at the Excalibur Hotel on January 25th to Port-Harcourt at the Presidential Hotel on February 1st, will move to Monty Suites in Calabar on February 8th, while Makurdi will play host on February 15th at Smileview Hotel Extension. The final stage of the auditions will hold in Lagos at Dream Studios, Omole on the 22nd and 23rd of February.

BrandArena can also reveal that the show will air on select cable and terrestrial television stations starting March 1st, 2014.