Broadcasting
Zadok, Progress Emerge Top 2 Nigerian Idol Finalists
The last girl standing in the competition, Banty, bade farewell to the Nigerian Idol Season 7 competition on Sunday night as she scored the least votes. Her exit paved way for Zadok and Progress to emerge Top 2 Nigerian Idol finalists.
Although she is out of the competition, the Warri born singer can look forward to a studio session with D’banj, as the Kokomaster said.
Before the night’s competition started, the host, IK Osakioduwa, shared that this season received over 175 million votes with 34 million recorded for the new week.
Back like they never left, ex-Nigerian Idol Season 7 contestants opened the night of thrilling performances with a medley of songs and were joined shortly by the top three finalists. Among the songs they performed were Fela’s Shakara and Wizkid’s Ojuelegba.
For the night of performances, the top two finalists, Progress and Zadok performed three rounds of songs which included their favourite song, the judges’ favourite, and a final one with the 121 Selah choir.
Progress’s first performance of the night was Sam Cooke’s The Change Is Gonna Come, to which he received a standing ovation from the audience and judges. Zadok turned up the atmosphere with his performance of Michael Bolton’s When A Man Loves A Woman.
Progress again opened the next set of performances with Wizkid’s Joy, and his rich vocals shone through the rendition.
Zadok performed another Michael Bolton song chosen by Simi and did justice to the infamous Soul Provider. For his colourful performance, he received a flower from a female audience member.
For the final round, Progres and Zadok went head to head with their performances with the 121 Selah choir. For Progress, he performed Jon Ogah’s Uncle Suru. In reaction to his performance, the judges applauded him and commented on his growth since he came on the show.
Zadok closed out the show with Timi Dakolo’s Wish Me Well, and he proved why he deserved to be one of the finalists.
The pen-ultimate live show had a star-studded audience with attendees like God Friended Me star Brandon Michael Hall; The Real Housewives of Johannesburg star, Tarina Patel; Bob Hart Abishola star and Episode director, Bayo Akinfemi; and the CEO of MIPAD, Kamil Olufowobi.
The Nigerian Idol Season 7 grand finale airs next week. Don’t forget to vote for your top contestant, as the power to determine the winner is solely in the hands of the viewers. Voting is open now and will close at 9 pm on Friday, 20 May 2022. Viewers can vote via the Africa Magic website, mobile site, and MyDStv and MyGOtv apps.
Nigerian Idol season 7 is proudly sponsored by Bigi Drinks and Binance Africa.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
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