Airtel Pledges to Nurture Talents in Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria; December 24, 2012: Airtel Nigeria has restated its commitment to providing credible platforms that will enable more talented Nigerians climb to stardom and realize their full potentials.

Speaking at a post-event interactive session in honour of the first winner of Nigeria's Got Talent Show sponsored by Airtel Nigeria, the company's Chief Marketing Officer, Mr. Olu Akanmu who was represented by the Head of Marketing Communications, Eyitemi Taire said that through Nigeria's Got Talent and other platforms, “Airtel is committed to bringing out whatever talent is deposited in our youth for all to see and appreciate.”

The first edition of the Airtel-sponsored Nigeria's Got Talent show ended December 9 with eight-year old Amarachi Uyanne winning the N10m prize money. Amarachi thrilled the television audiences and judges with her skills as a dancer and violinist.

Airtel Nigeria said it held the forum to express its gratitude to the media and live audiences for their active participation in the six-month long Nigeria's Got Talent programme.

“At Airtel Nigeria, we consider it a great privilege to be a part of this amazing story of talent, physical athleticism and stage craftsmanship. Nigeria's Got Talent ushered in six months of laughter, joy and fun in our homes, offices and recreation centres,” Akanmu said.

After emerging winner on December 9, Amarachi returned to her base in Benin to complete her term examination. The primary five pupil has received double promotions in the past and hopes to be a medical doctor. Her post-winning tour took her to four media houses where she thrilled editors and staff who, on recognising her, trooped out to take photographs or ask questions.

“I want to thank Airtel Nigeria for providing the platform for me to showcase my talent to the world. I am equally grateful to Nigerians that voted for me. Without their votes, I would not have won. I am very excited,” Amarachi said.

Mrs. Emike Uyanne, Amarachi's mother, played a key role in the emergence of her daughter. She told the media gathering that when she discovered the talent in her daughter, she enrolled her in a Dance Academy to sharpen her talents. She also picked the forms for the Nigeria's Got Talent show and accompanied her daughter all the way through auditions in Benin and rehearsals at every stage of the contest.

Commenting further, Akanmu said: “At Airtel Nigeria, we have always been passionate about discovering and polishing talents. Our activity with the Airtel Rising Stars academy, which seeks to discover and polish football talents, is common knowledge. So also is our involvement with the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) which celebrates the best talents in the film industry on the continent.”