Broadcasting
Naija Sings 2 Port-Harcourt Finals Produces 4 Semi-Finalists
In what appeared like a twist, and a departure from two previous regional finals in Benin and Enugu, Naija Sings 2 Port-Harcourt top 10 regional finals on Sunday, July 25, produced four new semi-finalists.
The finalists are Boma Tolofari, Daniel Ebitonmor, El-David Esther Najite, and Tega Apochi. These four will join six other semi-finalists from Benin and Enugu regions plus others yet to emerge from Calabar, Kano, Abuja and Lagos regions to battle for a spot in the top 10 on September 13 in Lagos.
Tosin Martins, Naija Sings 2 resident judge, supported by Olusope Adamo, radio presenter, Cool FM, Port-Harcourt and reggae/dancehall act, General Pype, had a herculean task picking the regional semi-finalists from the top 10 who put up sterling performances in their bid for a slot to progress to the next stage of the M-Net’s music talent-hunt reality show.
Beaming with excitement, Martins announced to the pensive Port-Harcourt audience: “Heated! Waoh! This is probably the toughest. It’s a keen battle. For the first time, four contestants made it through to the semi-final in Lagos. They’ve got the extra. We got top six and had to do a lot to prune the number to four.” He added that dynamism, strength, passion and strong voice gave it to the Port-Harcourt top 4.
Olisa Adibua, Naija Sings 2 presenter, who also anchored the first season, at the end of the regional top 10 performances and shortly before calling on Tosin Martins and his fellow judges to name the semi-finalists, said: “The time of reckoning has arrived. It’s been a great day, a huge day of great singing by the contestants. The huge prize money of 100,000 US Dollars puts a lot of pressure on the contestants.”
Of the four semi-finalists, Boma was the first to mount the stage at the regional top 10. She did Beyonce’s ‘Listen’. Martins felt it was a difficult placement for her as the first contestant on stage. He adjudged her good, and said he loved her singing. For Pype, Boma’s was a nice performance. He believed she has vocal strength, wants her to take time off to evaluate herself so as to be able to achieve even more. For Olusope Adamo, who had been with Karl Raccah, Naija Sings 2 roving judge, from Friday, July 23 when the auditions started to select Port-Harcourt top 10 finalists, Boma’s singing was thrilling. “I enjoy you singing and carrying people along. Great performance!”
Daniel Ebitonmor sang “You raised me up”, which Martins and his fellow judges thought was good rendition. Martins told him: “I can’t ignore the strength you have vocally; the strength in your voice. I’ve heard something slightly better today. I wish you all the best.” The two other judges wished him well and promised to see him in Lagos.
El-David Esther Najite raised the stake with her beautiful rendition of Jennifer Hudson’s ‘One night only’ that held the audience and judges spellbound. For Martins, Najite might well be the strongest of the Port-Harcourt semi-finalists. “You’ve got strength vocally, and your diction is musically articulate. You were about the first from among the contestants so far to translate passion and theatrics to strong vocal delivery. You’ve got good control of your voice especially with your ability to move from low to high. Excellent!” Pype described her performance a perfect rendition while Adamo felt Najite convinced everyone she could sing.
Tarila, top 3 star of Naija Sings season one, who was in the audience, was confident Najite has made it to Lagos and the finals, where like himself in the first season, she will have a chance to battle for the ultimate prize and a recording contract with Storm 360, M-Net’s partners on the show.
Tega Apochi did Beyonce’s ‘Dangerous in love’ with which she thrilled the judges and the audience. Martins said: “I have not harped much on tone since the commencement of the auditions, girl your tone is one in a million. I absolutely loved your music.” Pype said hers was a nice rendition and a good job. Adamo, who described Tega as a ballerina because of her dress, said her performance was a great one. “Though not a danceable song, you kept everyone dancing.”
The audience judges at the Naija Sings 2 Port-Harcourt top 10 regional finals agreed with the judges on their semi-finalist choices, declaring the winners as “born champions” while General Pype closed the show with a nice performance of his hit track, ‘I am a born champion’. The audition crew moved from Port-Harcourt to Calabar for another regional top 10 finals on Wednesday, July 28.
Segun Fayose, head of Corporate Communications, MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “Naija Sings will be screened to DStv premium subscribers from Sunday, September 19 on M-Net West, Channel 102. It will be made available on AfricaMagic to subscribers on other bouquets shortly after its screening on M-Net. Naija Sings will also be available on M-Net HD”.
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.
Broadcasting
Davido, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Karl Toriola, Others To Be Honoured At The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards In Lagos
Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) is excited to announce the Lagos Diaspora Experience 2025, a week-long celebration of African art, culture, innovation, and connection, culminating in the End of the Year Awards & Celebration on Sunday, December 21st, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria.
The Most Influential People of African Descent Awards
This historic occasion marks the first time the world-famous Most Influential 100 Recognition & Awards Ceremony—traditionally held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)—will be hosted in Lagos, Nigeria.
The week will feature events such as Diaspora Day at the Fela Exhibition (Afrobeat Meets Diaspora), Cultural Heritage Day, and Business Leadership Luncheons, all culminating in the awards celebration.
The evening will honor the Best & Brightest of the Year, recognizing exceptional individuals and institutions whose work has advanced Global African Achievement and Black Excellence across business, government, media, culture, and technology.
Key Recognitions for 2025
– Governor of the Year & City of the Year: His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State, honored alongside Lagos as City of the Year for its global leadership in culture, innovation, tourism, and diaspora engagement.
– Her Excellency Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, will be honoured as Minister of the Year for her contribution to the creative economy’s role in nation branding and cultural diplomacy.
– Most Influential Woman of the Year: Olorì Atúwàtse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom
– Most Influential Man of the Year: Adewale Tinubu, Group Chief Executive, OANDO
– CEO of the Year: Karl Toriola, Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria; who will deliver a keynote address, recognized for his transformative leadership and impact on Nigeria’s telecommunications and digital economy.
Others include; Karl Toriola of MTN as CEO of the year, Uche Pedro of Bella Naija as Lifestyle Personality Of The Year, Ojy Okpe of Artise News as Most Influential News Anchor Of The Year, Stephanie Busari as Media Executive of the Year, Kayode Okikiolu as Pressman of the year, Davido as Artist of the year and several others.
In celebrating this year’s honorees, Michael Ehindero, Managing Director, Pernod Ricard Nigeria, owners of Martell Cognac, who emerged as Brand Of The Year expressed deep appreciation for the brand’s continued global recognition, saying: “It’s a great reward for the team who’s delivered Martell excellently in Nigeria over the years.
“We say thank you to the teams, we say thank you to our consumers and we say thank you to MIPAD.
“Martell has a lot of promising experiences in the years to come in Nigeria and with this we invite you over to Nigeria to experience Detty December”.
The ceremony will also celebrate the achievements of the Class of 2025 Honorees, alongside past Nigerian honorees who were unable to attend their year of recognition in New York.
“For the first time, we’re bringing our world-famous recognition platform home to celebrate excellence within the Global Africa Family — right here in Lagos,” said Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman of MIPAD. “This is more than an event; it’s a movement uniting the best of us — connecting, collaborating, and working together to change the world.”
Event Details
📍 Lagos, Nigeria
– Friday, Dec 19 – #DettyDec Diaspora Day at Fela Exhibition FREE
– Sunday, Dec 21 – End of Year Recognition & Award Ceremony STRICTLY BY INVITATION
🎟️ RSVP: https://rsvp.oakenevents.com/mipad
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