Nigerian Idol, the nation’s biggest singing competition, is set to ignite screens across Nigeria as it kicks off the highly anticipated live shows for Season 8 on Sunday, May 28, 2023. This season promises to be an electrifying display of talent, extraordinary performances, and unparalleled entertainment.

After a series of intense auditions and captivating episodes, the judges have discovered the country’s most exceptional vocalists, now forming the highly coveted Top 10. These extraordinary talents have captivated the hearts of millions and are ready to showcase their skills on the grand stage.

Viewers can expect a thrilling rollercoaster of emotions as the Top 10 contestants unleash their vocal prowess and battle it out week after week. From spine-tingling ballads to explosive power anthems, each performance promises to be an unforgettable musical journey.

Renowned for its distinguished panel of judges, Nigerian Idol brings together expertise and industry knowledge. The judges’ panel for this season of the show comprises D’banj, Simi, and Obi Asika, who are music icons and industry trailblazers. Their constructive criticism and insightful feedback provide the contestants with invaluable guidance, helping them reach new heights in their artistic journey.

In addition to the remarkable performances and expert judging, Nigerian Idol promises premium entertainment that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. Spectacular stage designs, dazzling light displays, and heart-stopping production values will elevate the live shows to an entirely new level of spectacle.

To catch all the exhilarating performances, emotional moments, and edge-of-your-seat drama, tune in to Nigerian Idol on DStv Africa Magic Channels – Showcase, Urban, and Family by 7pm on Sunday, May 28, 2023.

The excitement reaches new heights with a dedicated Nigerian Idol pop-up channel (DStv ch. 199). Fans can enjoy exclusive “behind-the-stage” conversations and catch up on all the auditions.

Davido’s reputation as an “Omo baba Olowo” (son of a rich man) has never been in question but even the filthy rich have been known to enjoy a financial boost from time to time. The Afro-pop star revealed he received his big boost as a teenager when telecommunications giant, MTN came calling with a N20 million naira endorsement deal.

“I remember when MTN, a telecommunication company, came, and they were like they want to do endorsement, but then he (Dad) was like how much, and I said 20 million. I was like I’m 17. Nobody (had) seen that kind of money. Wow, this is from music, and it’s off like two songs, of course.”

Davido further explained that the deal came at the right time as it proved to be the incentive needed to convince his multi-billionaire father, Dr Adedeji Adeleke of the potential in the music business

“I’m like, ‘Daddy see, we can do this’. “He built me a studio and gave me some money to run my stuff and did my first album, and it came out really really successful.”

Davido was the face of MTN Pulse between 2012 and 2016 and during that time the pop star dropped hit songs like Damiduro, Skelewu, and Gobe to mention a few whilst picking up a number of awards along the way.

How MTN’s Endorsement Changed 17-year Davido’s Musical Career

Davido’s reputation as “Omo baba Olowo” (son of a rich man) has never been in question but even the wealthy have been known to enjoy a financial boost from time to time. The Afro-pop star revealed he received his big boost as a teenager when telecommunications giant, MTN Nigeria came calling with a N20 million naira endorsement deal.

“I remember when MTN, a telecommunication company, came, and they were like they want to do endorsement, but then he (Dad) was like how much, and I said 20 million. I was like I’m 17. Nobody (had) seen that kind of money. Wow, this is from music, and it’s off like two songs, of course.”

Davido further explained that the deal came at the right time as it proved to be the incentive needed to convince his multi-billionaire father, Dr Adedeji Adeleke of the potential in the music business.

“I’m like, ‘Daddy see, we can do this’. “He built me a studio and gave me some money to run my stuff and did my first album, and it came out really really successful.”

Davido was the face of MTN Pulse between 2012 and 2016 and during that time the pop star dropped hit songs like Aye, Skelewu, and Gobe to mention a few whilst picking up a number of awards along the way.

Davido has since risen to become one of Africa’s biggest musical export, selling out various venues across the world including the O2 Arena in London, performing at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, earning billions of streams across multiple platforms and collaborating with some of the world’s biggest artistes. He recently released his fourth studio album “Timeless” which peaked at number 2 on the World Album charts.

Media Rights Agenda (MRA) has called on the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to comply fully with the orders of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja which restrained it from imposing fines on radio and televisions stations.

MRA further said even if NBC planned to appeal against the judgment, “it should not continue to walk the path of lawlessness.”

In a statement issued in Lagos, MRA said its attention had been drawn to a statement credited to Mallam Balarabe Shehu llelah, NBC director-general, vowing that “The Commission will appeal against the judgement when it is found to be in conflict with previous judgements of the court, which empowers the Commission to regulate broadcasting in Nigeria (sic)”

Mr. Edetaen Ojo, MRA’s executive director, said in its statement that: “We recognize and respect the right of the NBC to appeal against the judgment of the Court, if it is dissatisfied with the decision, so long as it does not flout the orders of the court when those orders have not been set aside by an appellate court. Whatever the NBC’s view of the Court’s judgment may be, it cannot deny that there is a valid and subsisting order of a court of competent jurisdiction prohibiting it from imposing fines on radio and television stations. Should the Commission or its Director-General take it upon themselves to sit on appeal over the judgment of the Court and disobey the clear and unequivocal orders of the Court, we wish to reassure them that we would take immediate and vigorous action to maintain the integrity of the court and its orders.”

According to Mr. Ojo, “The NBC Director-General’s statement amounts to a feeble attempt to mislead the public. We do not dispute the power or authority of the NBC to regulate broadcasting in Nigeria and we have not challenged its right to do so. That was not the issue before the court. But this does not make the Commission a court of law and neither the National Broadcasting Commission Act, as amended, nor the Nigeria Broadcasting Code can be interpreted to confer judicial powers on the NBC to impose criminal sanctions on radio and television stations in flagrant violation of the Constitution, as Justice James Omotosho stated so eloquently in his judgment.”

He noted that besides being a correct interpretation of the provisions of the Constitution, the decision of Justice Omotosho is also consistent with international standards for the regulation of broadcast media as contained, for instance, in Principle 17(5) of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa, which states that: “The powers of regulatory bodies shall be administrative in nature and shall not seek to usurp the role of the courts.”

Mr. Ojo contended that the provisions of the Declaration are binding on Nigeria and its institutions, being an affirmation of the principles for anchoring the rights to freedom of expression and access to information in accordance with Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, an international human rights instrument to which Nigeria is a State Party, and which also forms part of Nigerian Law, having been domesticated in Nigeria by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act, Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

He said: “We appreciate that the NBC cannot be happy that we have shut down this major source of revenue for the Commission, but we urge it to tread the path of constitutionalism and the rule of law and obey the orders of a court of competent jurisdiction, established by the Constitution, especially if it expects individuals and entities subject to its regulatory authority to comply with its own lawful directives. The NBC will be courting anarchy should it decide to disregard the court’s orders.”