Reality shows have flooded the Nigerian television world. These days, viewers are made to see several programmes that parade themselves as reality shows and some are left to ask, what are the motives behind these programmes?
In the past years, some of these reality television shows have stood the test of time, while others have faded out like air for one reason or the other.
It might be right to say it is high time some of these programmes that have flooded the silver screens are checked and questions about them raised.
One of such programmes Nigeriafilms.com on focus, is the ‘Nigerian Idol’, which has produced some winners who have not yet rubbed shoulders with the A-listers in the Nigerian music industry like Iyanya and Chidinma, products of another reality TV show, Project Fames West Africa.
It would be recalled that since Yeka Onka emerged as the debut winner of the Nigerian Idol in 2010, little or nothing has been heard about her.
Nigerian Idol is a franchised show, which takes the name of the country it is being held.
The Nigerian Idol is the second Idol franchise used in Nigeria. The first time, it was staged as ‘Idols West Africa’, which produced Timi Dakolo as winner and Omawumi Mgbele as runner-up. It is instructive to state that the duo have become big artistes in Nigeria.
Yeka., when announced winner of the competition, went away with about N7.5 million, a recording contract with Sony, a car and an all-expense paid trip to South Africa.
In 2010, she released a video titled ‘Help’ and later signed onto Don Lulu‘s ‘2 Flame Entertainment.’
Two years later, Mercy Chinwo was announced winner of Nigerian Idol Season 2.
The Season 3 of the show saw various spectacular performances and the programme won the hearts of many reality shows followers. Moses Obi-Adigwe, aka Teddy Bear, emerged the winner of the show and was given N7.5 million, an SUV and a music contract believed to worth N7.5 million.
The 2014 edition of the programme, sponsored by Etisalat, produced Evelyn ‘Evelle’ Zibili as winner and went away with N7.5 million, a brand new SUV and a recording deal with Universal Studios.
Looking at the winners of the Nigerian Idol since inception, it can be observed that none of them have released any hit song. This has made some people to ask several questions about the show.
Organisers of the reality programme may have started planning for the next edition, but one of the questions is, ‘when will Nigerian Idol produce a true music superstar?’ Nigerians would be happy to have a winner of the show becoming a superstar they are supposed to be.
