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Timi Dakolo, Orlando Julius, Other Grace Nigerian Idol Top 12 Unveiling

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Timi Dakolo inside OMG Dream Studios at the Nigerian Idol Top 12 Unveiling
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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.


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MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

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MTN Group has begun rolling out MTN One TV, a new entertainment proposition designed to make digital video content more accessible, relevant, and flexible for customers across African markets.

MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

Introduced in line with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, MTN One TV brings together local storytelling, live channels, international programming, and market-specific viewing options tailored to how customers across the continent access and pay for digital entertainment.

The proposition is designed to give customers greater choice in how they watch content, with viewing models that may vary by market and can include free-to-view content, advertising-funded experiences, pay-as-you-watch access, and subscription offerings.

Depending on local availability, customers may also be able to pay through airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally supported payment methods, helping to reduce common barriers to streaming access.

Beyond enhancing customer experiences, MTN One TV creates new opportunities for African creators, broadcasters, advertisers, and ecosystem partners by helping connect content to wider audiences through MTN’s scale across connectivity, payments, and digital services.

By bringing together a broad mix of content experiences under a single proposition, MTN aims to support greater content discovery, broader audience reach, and sustainable growth across Africa’s digital entertainment ecosystem.

Anchored in MTN’s strategic platforms of Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, MTN One TV forms part of the Group’s broader ambition to build digital experiences that create value for customers while enabling participation and growth across Africa’s digital economy.

“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN group chief commercial, strategy and transformation officer.

“Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies. This is aligned with our ambition to deliver digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”

MTN One TV is being introduced progressively across MTN markets through a phased rollout approach that reflects local market needs, existing services, and partnership opportunities.

Over time, MTN will bring together a combination of video capabilities, content partnerships, and customer experiences under the MTN One TV brand to create a more consistent and scalable entertainment proposition across its footprint.

Through MTN One TV, MTN continues to extend its role beyond connectivity by combining entertainment, payments, and digital services to deliver experiences tailored to the needs of African consumers.

The rollout supports MTN’s Ambition 2030 vision of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress while expanding access to digital entertainment across the continent.

 


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IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

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International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world for airline operations, citing high taxes, charges and operational costs that continue to weigh heavily on local carriers.

IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World's Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, disclosed this during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro.

Al-Awadhi said that although Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had been pursuing reforms aimed at improving the aviation sector, airlines operating in the country still faced enormous cost pressures.

According to him, the high-cost operating environment has continued to affect the profitability and competitiveness of Nigerian airlines, making it difficult for the industry to realise its full potential.

He noted that excessive taxes, regulatory charges and other operating expenses remained major obstacles to airline growth across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from a cost perspective.

Al-Awadhi urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States to adopt a proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges to ease the burden on airlines and passengers.

According to him, lowering taxes and charges would reduce airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and strengthen the competitiveness of carriers operating within West Africa.

He stressed that a more supportive policy environment was critical to unlocking the economic benefits of aviation, including increased trade, tourism and regional integration.

Industry stakeholders have consistently advocated lower taxes and regulatory fees, arguing that the current cost structure makes air travel less affordable and limits the growth of the sector.

IATA’s latest remarks add to calls for governments in West Africa to implement policies that will promote a more sustainable and competitive aviation industry across the region.


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NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

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The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has trained 50 women in Kano State on inverter and battery technologies through its She-Powers Energy Initiative.

NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

The three-day programme, held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano which ended yesterday, was designed to equip participants with practical renewable energy skills, promote women-led enterprises, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.

 The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader commitment to empowering women, creating economic opportunities, and expanding participation in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.

 Through targeted interventions such as the She-Powers Energy Initiative, NASENI continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to improve lives and drive sustainable development across the country.

Photos: Participants at the She-Powers Energy Initiative training organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) held at the the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano yesterday.


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