NGT SEASON 2 ROUNDS kick off in LAGOS

Emeka Ibemere

They came clutching their guitars, trumpets, mouth organ, pianos and dancing shoes including other musical instruments. They came in group of twos and threes, and as they queued up, they penned down their names in the register provided by the organizers and moved straight to different audition halls mapped out for the audition.

 The Venue of the audition, The Box Studio 3, Ikeja, Lagos State suddenly turned to a Mecca of sort for many young Nigerian budding talents, who throng the venue of the audition in their multitudes.

The talented ones gathered at the location, to exhibit their talents with hope of qualifying for the main competition- the Nigerian Reality Television Show.

That was how the Lagos State’s section of the audition of the Nigeria’s Got Talent Season 2, witnessed a massive turn out of array of talente

d teenagers and adults on Saturday October 26^th and Sunday 27^th as the audition train moved to the city.

It was the final phase of the audition in the Television Reality Show events which was sponsored by Airtel Nigeria.

Prior to the audition, the Lagos State participants to the audition had longed for it; for so long and they said that now that it has taken place that it came at the right time; as they described it, to be too commendable, outstanding and spectacular.

The audition of the NGT Season 2 kicked off on October 9, in Abuja and was conducted in other cities, such as Calabar, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Asaba.  Also, Benin and Ibadan had their own audition. Singing, dancing, acrobatic moves, stand-up comedy, drama, and magic performances were on display at the Lagos State audition.

Lagos State lived up to its nick-name: Center of Excellence; also proved that it’s a gathering centre for talents and creativity, as it paraded hundreds of boys and girls who dressed colourfully in their unique attires.

Most of them danced as a group and individually while some sang or played musical instruments such as mouth organ, guitar and piano. There were only few boys and girl who performed stand-up comedy and drama.

Speaking about his Artel’s involvement in the Reality Show, the Artel’s Director of Corporate Communications and CSR, Emeka Oparah said the company’s sponsorship of the franchise is in sync with its vision of providing credible platforms that could help people achieve their dreams.

 “Airtel is extremely delighted to remain the lead sponsor of the Nigeria’s Got Talent show now in Season Two. Artel’s association with this unique platform is hinged on our passion for celebrating and rewarding young, talented Nigerians. The Airtel brand is not just red, bold and jazzy but youthful, exciting, unique and a lot of fun”, he stated.
“As a telecommunications’ company, there are no limits to ensuring that we provide Nigerians with impactful services and veritable platforms for empowerment and wealth creation as well as entertainment and fun.”

The Managing Director, Rapid Blue Format, Rotimi Pedro, said, “It hasn’t being easy preparing for another season as all hands have been on deck to make it a blast. Gifted Nigerians, male and female of all ages with talent in acrobatics, magic display, fire eating, and others will have yet another chance to showcase their talent and a chance to walk away with the much coveted grand prize”, he also quipped.

“It’s always inspiring to see the enormous wealth of talent here in Nigeria and how such talent is nurtured to create the stars of tomorrow”.

According to Andre Blaze, the presenter of the Reality TV show, the turn-out of crowd in the Lagos State audition could not be compared to any other states or cities in the country. He said, “in terms of turn-out, variety in creativity and quality of talents Lagos State is massive. Tons of talents are here because this is the centre of excellence.”

He also noted that he was in other cities for the audition where many talents where many talented young boys and girls performed but Lagos State remained unique.

One of the awe-inspiring performances at the Lagos State audition was done by Fatai Akindele, a magician who ate fire, razor and broken bottles while he was performing. His acts took about ten minutes which was more than the allotted time. He could not finish all his performance as there was limited time.

Kids as young as 6 years old were also not left out in the search for the hottest talents in the country. According to some of the performers, they have been preparing for the Nigeria’s Got Talent for many months since the train would definitely held in Lagos. They said the platform is one of the opportunities they have to showcase their talents with the hope of being discovered.

The excitement and high expectations of the performers to qualify for the main competition could be seen as they energetically performed to win the ticket to the main Nigeria’s Got Talent Reality Television show.

Moses Raheem, a 16 year old singer and guitarist with the stage name, Troms said he heard about Nigeria’s Got Talent Season 2 which is sponsored by Airtel Nigeria, on the internet, saying he has been anticipating performing in the reality show.

 “I have been preparing for the Season 2 of the Nigeria’s Got Talent for about 6 months now. I believe my unique skill and voice will take me to the main competition, he stated”.

On her part, AjihBelibote, 14, said she hopes to qualify for the main competition and eventually win the grand prize. “I will be performing songs in the Nigeria’s Got Talent Season 2. With my unique voice, I hope to get to the main stage of the show.”

X-Tins, and dance group of 5 members, expressed their desires to perform on the stage at the main competition with the hope to win the grand prize. The Group leader, Henry Ajah said they have been together training for the NGT Season 2 since last year and they hope to get to the final.

 Other performers also expressed their appreciation to Airtel Nigeria, for the opportunity given to them and other Nigerian youths to exhibit their talents and be discovered through the Nigeria’s Got Talent show.

The maiden edition of the Nigeria’s Got Talent was sponsored by Airtel Nigeria and was won by 9 year-old, Amarachi Uyanne from Benin City. She performed as a dancer all through the competition. Ariel’s involvement in this unique platform was hinged on celebrating and rewarding young and talented Nigerians.