Bigger and better! Nigerian Idol launches Season II...announces Charles Oputa as new judge and Tiwa Savage, Ill Rymz as new hosts

After an electrifying first season that saw the crowning of the first ever
Nigerian Idol, Yeka Onka, the global music phenomenon returns to Nigeria
for a second season.

Season II of Nigerian Idol is produced by the Optima Media Group (OMG) and
Rapid Blue Format. It continues to enjoy the sponsorship of Etisalat, in
association with Sony and Pepsi. This year, they have partnered with Beat
FM and Air Nigeria which is the official airline of Nigerian Idol Season
II.

This was revealed at a media & VIP launch on 28 September 2011 at the
Oriental Hotel in Lagos.
The event also witnessed an electrifying performance of the hot new single
‘Follow U’ by Season 1 winner, Yeka Onka. The singer was produced by
Chocolate City’s Jesse Jags.

"Nigerian Idol will be an even more exciting television experience this
season," its executive producer, Rotimi Pedro, said. "The last three shows
of NI garnered more viewership, especially with the youth demographic,
than any other music reality show - proving the point of the power of the
Idol brand across the globe. We are committed to ensuring that the
standards from the past show - in terms of content, production and
interactivity are surpassed this time around. This is Idol - it's the real
deal."

The cycle of the show remains the same, spanning seven months, the
producers have confirmed. The season kicks off on October 7th with
auditions in four Nigerian cities - Abuja, Port Hacourt, Enugu and Lagos,
where auditions end in November. Nigerian Idol hopefuls simply have to go
to Nigerianidol.com in order to register.

"Based on audience feedback and to enhance the unique Idol experience this
season, we've made a few major changes," said Mr. Pedro. These exciting
new changes include, a new judge; musician, former music association
president and TV host, Charles Oputa, fondly known as Charly Boy.



The judges' line up however retains songstress Yinka Davies and
international choreographer and musician, Jeffrey Daniels who has returned
this season.


After hotly-contested auditions that featured the brightest across the
media and entertainment sectors, new hosts have also been announced and
they are rave-of-the-moment singer Tiwa Savage, and VeeJay Ill Rhymz.

"I am very excited to be a part of the successful Nigerian version of this
global franchise," Savage said. "I am lucky to have worked in the music
industry in America, writing for acts like Jennifer Hudson and to have
seen close up what the flagship American Idol has done for amazing talents
like her. I am incredibly thrilled to be part of that magical experience
in Nigeria and to be a witness to the creating of a new Nigerian
superstar."


There are only winners on Nigerian Idol this season as lead sponsor
Etisalat will give premium prizes not just to the winner, but also to the
runners-up and others from the Top Ten.

The winner of the show takes home whopping new prizes valued at $100, 000
which includes a management contract, the prize money and a recording
contract.
The first runner up gets N1.5 million, a Galaxy Tab, Blackberry
and iPod.

2nd runner up will receive N1million, a Galaxy Tab, a
Blackberry and an iPod.

Finalists from 4th to 10th place also receive
each, N100, 000, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod.

The show begins airing 4th December, until the winner is announced at a
grand gala on April 1st 2012.
Nigerian Idol is brought to you by Etisalat, in association with Pepsi and
Sony. It is also supported by partners, Air Nigeria and Beat FM.