Broadcasting
Timi Dakolo, Orlando Julius, Other Grace Nigerian Idol Top 12 Unveiling
The popular appeal of Nigeria’s leading TV Music Show, Nigerian Idol was further highlighted at the weekend during the unveiling of the top 12 finalists with the presence of key figures in the entertainment industry such as Afro-Pop legend, Orlando Julius, Idol first winner and soul vocalist, Timi Dakolo and Dancehall sensation, Kiss Daniel.
There was no doubt the presence of the trio would offer huge inspiration to the young and aspiring top 12 music talents as they enter the crucial phase of the show given their the enviable marks they have made in the industry.
Timi Dakolo, renowned soul vocalist and winner of the maiden edition of the Idol Show in 2007 was the most involved of the three as he held sessions of interactions with different clusters of the Top 12 contestants inside Studio B.
Kiss Daniel, on the other hand, was a glimpse of stardom as he mounted the stage to entertain guests with the hit songs ‘Woju’ and ‘Shoye’ to the delight of the audience, who did a sing-along with him.
The trio are among a long list of music stars that have openly identified with the Show, top among whom are Tuface, Olamide, Run Town, Dammy Krane, Cynthia Morgan, Kiss Daniel, YQ and P.R.E.
In a related development, Nigerian Idol Host, Illrhmz, real name Olowu Bardia Adebola, has called on the Top 12 finalists to show real hunger for their passion if they must make a success of their hatching music career and avoid the pitfalls that have been the bane of many in their mould.
According to the sleek-tongue Presenter, the on-going season has been full of “drama and twists” with a crop of contestants quite different from those in previous editions.
His words, “This crop of contestants is different from any other we have ever seen on this show. They all realised that when it comes to the top 12, it is the final hurdle. You either make it or break, the whole of Africa I would say is watching the top 12, and from the producer to the whole crew, we are looking for that Idol because no matter how much money is pumped into you, if you don’t have that hunger to be successful after you win, it does not make sense. It is not just about winning the competition. People are looking for that true Nigerian Idol.”
Speaking further, Illrhmz challenged the contestants to take cues from the likes of Darey ‘Art’ Alade and Omawumi Megbele by aiming beyond the Show and channelling efforts towards creating unique music brands valuable to the industry.
He said. “Think about what you want to do beyond Idol. Why are you into music? What is your key passion? What kind of sound are you trying to create? There are loads of artistes out there. What is going to make you different? If you can identify that USP, that magic, then you can bring that on stage and you can groom it. People are watching the show. Win or Lose. You are already a star. Now, it is what you do with that exposure that you get. I want to see that artiste that will say people are going to know my name, I’m going to give them this sound that is missing in the industry, from the market and I am going to establish myself. That is what I am looking forward to.”
The popular On-Air Personality, while reflecting on the impact of the Show on the contestants in the last 16 weeks noted that the contestants have all gone through remarkable transformation.
“They are a bunch of Idols 12 who have transformed. We have seen how literally rough, untrained, unskilled, never-looking apart they were in the beginning, but all that has changed as the show wore on; now, they tend to sound better, look better, gain more confidence. . I just want to see what kind of Idol we would have this year. If you look at the crop in top 12, they are very different from all of the other years. We will see how tough the competition at this stage,” he said.
Meanwhile, franchise owners of Nigerian Idol TV Reality Show, Optima Media Group (OMG), last week unveiled the last 12 contestants in the on-going season 5 of the show. The unveiling which took place at the Dream Studios, Ojodu-Omole at the weekend was in association with Show sponsor, Etisalat Nigeria and partners, Payporte, Cool Fm, Tantalizers, Cadbury Nigeria, Zaron, Dabur Toothpaste, So-Klin, ORS and Ellis Suites.
Those unveiled include Ogunmoyero Modolowamu (Dolu), Oyinkepreye Deborah Toun (Preye), Janet Ebiwari Ayoka (Ayoka), Godson Goodluck (Classic Tunez), Ogunrombi Kunle (K-Peace), Esther Aritheshoma Monday (Sther), Adigwe Brenda Ada (Brenda), Ekeoma Victor Chibuzor (Prime), Paul Manuwa (P.Scholes), Okemiri Uloma Margaret (Uloma), Omodele Diana Fatoki (Modele) and Ese-Amadasun Imuetiyan (Nex2).
The top 12 most outstanding acts will be squaring up against one another for the N7.5 million top spot cash reward as well as other multi-million naira juicy offers chief among which include a recording deal with South Africa-based Universal Music label and a brand new SUV car. They had beaten 20 others to make the cut.
Broadcasting
What Adekunle Gold’s Support Means for ‘The Gathering on 100

Popular Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold has lent his support to the growing youth-driven movement behind The Gathering on 100, further amplifying conversations around what is fast becoming one of the most talked-about upcoming experiences among young Nigerians.

Adekunle Gold
Known for his music and his strong connection with youth culture and evolving creative expression, Adekunle Gold’s involvement signals a deeper alignment between the event and the kind of audience it is attracting, a generation that is bold, expressive, and constantly redefining what community looks like.
While details of his involvement remain understated, his visible support adds a new layer of support and cultural relevance to the movement. In a landscape where attention is currency, endorsements from artists of his stature often act as a signal, drawing more eyes, more curiosity, and ultimately, more participation, but beyond visibility, the significance lies in what it represents.
The new father has, over the years, built a reputation for embracing creativity in its many forms, from music to visual storytelling, fashion, and digital engagement. His brand has consistently resonated with young Nigerians navigating similar spaces of self-expression and identity.
From interactive experiences like live music sessions and open performance moments to fashion runways and content creation spaces, the event is designed to blur the lines between audience and participant. It invites attendees to move beyond observation and become part of the moment.
This is a concept that closely mirrors the kind of cultural shift Adekunle Gold has been part of, one where boundaries between creator and consumer continue to dissolve.
His support also reflects a broader trend within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where artists are increasingly engaging with youth-led initiatives that go beyond traditional performances. Rather than simply appearing on stage, they are aligning with movements that foster community, creativity, and shared experience.
For fans and attendees, this adds another dimension to what The Gathering on 100 represents.
As registrations increase and conversations expand across social platforms, the movement is gradually taking shape through the collective interest of those drawn to it.
Head to gathering.com to register.
Broadcasting
INEC Warns Broadcasters against Misinformation ahead of 2027 Polls

Prof. Joash Amupitan, chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged broadcast organisations in Nigeria to exercise greater responsibility in the dissemination of information as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Amupitan made the call on Wednesday, while addressing participants at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), where he highlighted the growing influence of the media in shaping electoral processes.
He noted that the information environment has become increasingly significant in modern elections, warning that the spread of false or misleading information through broadcast channels could undermine public confidence in the electoral system.
According to the INEC chairman, media organisations must ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly those relating to political broadcasting. Politics
He explained that the law requires equitable access to broadcast platforms for all registered political parties, stressing that fairness in media coverage is essential to maintaining a level playing field during elections.
“With 22 registered political parties, fairness in airtime allocation and coverage is a legal obligation,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chairman also cautioned broadcasters against airing content that contains abusive, inflammatory, or divisive language capable of inciting ethnic, religious, or sectional tensions.
Such broadcasts, he said, could threaten national unity and disrupt the electoral process if not properly managed.
Amupitan further reminded media organisations about the 24-hour cooling-off period mandated by law before election day, during which all political campaigns and advertisements must cease.
He explained that the measure is intended to provide voters with time to reflect on their choices without being influenced by last-minute campaign messaging.
While acknowledging the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression, Amupitan emphasised that the right must be exercised within the limits of the law.
He noted that the airwaves are a public resource and must therefore be used responsibly to ensure fairness, balance, and equal access for all political actors.
The INEC chairman also pointed to the collaborative roles of INEC and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in regulating political broadcasting, although he acknowledged that certain challenges persist.
These challenges, he said, include regulatory overlaps, gaps in enforcement, and the increasing convergence of traditional broadcast media with digital platforms, which has made monitoring political communication more complex.
Amupitan also expressed concern over perceived incumbency advantages in state-owned broadcast stations and the growing commercialisation of political airtime, warning that these practices could disadvantage smaller political parties. Politics
To address these concerns, he called for stronger collaboration between regulatory agencies, clearer guidelines on equal access to media platforms, and improved systems for fact-checking and verification.
He also advocated increased transparency in political advertising, including the disclosure of sponsorship and pricing structures.
Amupitan urged broadcasters to prioritise accuracy and professionalism in their operations, encouraging them to verify information before dissemination and play an active role in combating fake news.
He also called on the media to contribute to voter education and civic mobilisation, noting that public participation is vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.
Reaffirming the commission’s commitment to transparency, the INEC chairman advised media organisations to rely on official INEC communication channels for verified electoral information.
He added that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would depend not only on electoral logistics and technology but also on the integrity of the country’s information environment.
Broadcasting
Multichoice Bleeds Customers in South Africa, Loses 580,000 Subscribers

Rising cost of living, currency depreciation, and competition from streaming services have all conspired to see MultiChoice lose 589,000 South African subscribers in its latest financial year.

The decline is across premium, mid-market and mass segments of its operation.
After completing its acquisition of MultiChoice, Canal+ has moved to stabilise the business.
MultiChoice’s new leadership under David Mignot, CEO, hopes to “stop the bleeding and get back to growth”.
The new leadership has scrapped DStv’s annual price increase and decided to shut down Showmax, the in-house streaming platform that struggled to compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Canal+execs have described Showmax as unsuccessful, noting that the difficult transition to online streaming, combined with currency devaluation in Nigeria and power cuts, had hurt MultiChoice’s profitability.
MultiChoice ended 2025 with 14.4 million subscribers across Africa, down from 14.9 million a year earlier, while revenue declined 6 percent to 2.4 billion euros.
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