Broadcasting
Nigerian Idol 5 Ends In Style as K-Peace Carts Home Top Prize
After over five months of thrilling the Nigerian public with best of music performances from the country’s leading crop of budding talents, the curtains came down on the season five of the Nigerian Idol TV Reality Show at the weekend in a grand style.
The occasion also threw up a new winner of the Show, K-Peace real name Ogunrombi Olakunle who polled better vote counts than his closest challenger, Ogunmoyero Modoluwamu (Dolu).
It was always going to be an evening of unforgettable experience, excitement and fun for the guests, crew members and sponsors who had gathered inside the 500 capacity OMG’s Dream Studios and its adjoining overflows.
With a clear departure from the conventional shoot-day schedule, the grand finale had started mid-day with a red carpet cum cocktail albeit for the VIPs including members of the media.
Earlier in the day, Nigerian international superstar, Asa, had gone up stage for her rehearsals amid tight security which forbade any manner of recording, whether motion or still. She completed the rehearsal cycle that had begun five days earlier featuring the top 12 contestants and the celebrity judges, the trio of Dede Mabiaku, Draey ‘Art’ Alade and Yinka Davies.
Ugochi Pedro, executive director, Optima Media Group (OMG), Nigerian Idol licence holders got the show underway with a deserved welcome address that succinctly captured the essence of the evening: an evening of wholesome entertainment.
The top 12 contestants, including the winner and runners-up took time in turn to perform various Nigerian hit songs of the 80s such as the legendary Fela Kuti’s timeless song, ‘Lady’, Mike Okri’s ‘Omoge, ‘Under Pressure’ by Ras Kimono, Majek Fashek’s ‘Send Down The Rain’, Blakky’s ‘Rosy’ and ‘Wait for Me’, a duet by the legendary Onyeka Onwenu and King Sunny Ade. The judges were not left out as they took turn to perform various numbers.
Stand-up comedian, Acapella was in his elements as he kept the audience reeling with laughter from his rich vein of rib-cracking jokes.
As the show wore on, the audience were itching to know whom the winner was.
There were whispers, and a seeming divided opinion over who deservedly should be crowned the season 5 idol.
All that was however put to rest when Show anchor, Illrhymz, dressed in bespoke white tuxedo suit with a black pant to match, called up the stage the two finalists, Dolu and K-Peace.
They were joined by officials of Etisalat and Executive Director of OMG, Ugochi Pedro. Both had proved worthy contenders for the top prize, but K-Peace eventually emerged the preferred choice of the voting public to become the fifth Nigerian Idol winner.
Earlier, Nigerian International music sensation, Asa, had serenaded the audience to the sound of some hit songs from her works.
Speaking shortly after emerging the winner, an elated K-Peace expressed his appreciation to the Nigerian public that ‘saw something’ in him and by him throughout the life of the competition.
His words, “It was a difficult journey because of the array of talents that participated in the competition. They were so good that it could have gone any person’s way. But I am happy that I am the winner today, and I want to thank the Nigerian public who saw something in me and gave me their votes.”
K-Peace now joins the list of winners of the leading TV reality show which include Yeka Onka, Mercy Chinwo, Moses Adigwe and Evelyn Zibili (Evelyn).
With the win, K-Peace was rewarded with N7.5 million cash top prize, a brand new Hyundai SUV, a recording deal worth N7.5 million with Universal Music label and some high-end devices.
Nigerian Idol focuses on discovering Nigerian youths with talent in music and giving them a unique platform to take shots at stardom. Season 5 was sponsored by Etisalat Nigeria, Payporte, Cool Fm, Tantalizers, Cadbury Nigeria, Zaron, Dabur Toothpaste, So-Klin, ORS and Ellis Suites.
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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