NAIJA SINGS 2: THREE NEW SEMI-FINALISTS EMERGE FROM ENUGU
Three new semi-finalists: Peace Nwokolo, Clever Desire and Amaka Okafor, have emerged from a successful top 10 regional finals in Enugu to represent the region in the M-Net's music talents-hunt reality show, Naija Sings Season Two.
Peace, Clever and Amaka will face Nneka James, Moses Adigwe and Ubido Daniel, who booked their passage earlier in Benin as well as other qualifiers that will emerge from the remaining regions in a semi-final contest on September 13 in Lagos for places in the top 10. The Top 10 finalists will then go into the competition proper for the ultimate prize of 100,000 US Dollars, a recording contract, and other benefits that may accrue from being on Naija Sings.
Tosin Martins, Naija Sings' resident judge, at the close of the Enugu regional finals, said: 'I am happy. I feel justified. Tonight, I saw promise, great potential. Enugu is splendid with talents, and no doubt, it's been a good a show.' Announcing the winners of the region, especially Peace Nwokolo, adjudged to be the best singer among the Enugu top 10, Martins declared: 'And God gave us Peace.'
Peace Nwokolo was exceptional. She sang with a very beautiful voice that captivated not only the judges but the audience as well. She sang Beyonce's 'Hisbrown eyes', for which she got great applause for her control, diction, great enunciation and excellent delivery of the lyrics.
Patrick Imohiosen, the DJ and Tobechukwu Ejim, a musician, the two other judges at the Enugu regional finals, agreeing with Martins, said Peace could be the one Naija Sings is looking for. 'Nice choice of music, which brought out the potential in you. Keep it up!' The audience judges said Peace had made them proud, and wanted her to sustain the tempo.
Desire won the heart of the judges and the audience with Lionel Richie's number, 'Angel.' Martins said he was a very clever singer. 'You are a very clever singer. You have your diction spot on.' He advised him to work on his vocal ability. For Imohiosen, Clever made a nice choice of music while Ejim scored him good and added that he was in control of the song, handled it perfectly and ended it nicely. Audience too lauded him and urged him to go ahead showcasing his talent to the world using Naija Sings' platform.
Okafor was the first of the Enugu top 10 to sing at the regional finals. She sang Rihanna's 'Unfaithful', which Martins felt was fair enough given the way she handled it. 'Being the first on stage tonight, I know it's difficult. But you made it through and I'm proud of you,' Martins said to her. Ejim loved her voice and said she's got everything Naija Sings is looking for: 'You have a good voice texture, you're beautiful, you have everything. Keep it up!' he commended.
Olisa Adibua, presenter of Naija Sings, announcing the Enugu top 3 said: 'This is just the start of the competition. It goes to the semi-finals, then to top 10, until we have crowned the last singer.'
The winners expressed their happiness, thanked the audience for the support given them and promised the region that they have progressed to the next stage of the show to make them proud.
Enugu regional finals was closed with a performance by Ejim, who sang 'I wan marry you', which was echoed by the audience. The audition crew is already in Port-Harcourt to select new regional winners on Sunday, July 25.
Segun Fayose, Head of Corporate Communications, MultiChoice Nigeria, said: 'Naija Sings will be screened to DStv premium subscribers from Sunday, September 19 on M-Net West, Channel 102. It will be made available on AfricaMagic to subscribers on other bouquets shortly after its screening on M-Net. Naija Sings will be available on M-Net HD.'