Nollywood actress Tonto Dikeh and other celebrities on Friday took part in the audition for the talent hunt show Unleash Your Talent 2017, with over 200 youths in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two days audition from Aug. 17 to Aug. 18, is to discover, develop and empower young Nigerian talents in singing, dancing and acting.
The “Unleash Your Talent 2017” show is an initiative of the African Children Talent Discovery Foundation (ACTDF), an NGO that empowers youths and the less privileged towards realising their potential.
Tonto Dikeh, who coordinated the team of judges for the audition, told NAN that the Abuja event was a part of a nation-wide audition holding simultaneously in eight zones across the country.
“This audition is for aspiring contestants here in Abuja, and it is as well taking place in Lagos, Ibadan, Nasarawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, Port Harcourt, Enugu and Ekiti.
“Entrance is free with the age limit of 18 to 35 years, and if you said you got talent then come and unleash it.
“This Unleash Your Talent 2017 initiative is line with the ACTDF objective to empower and engage Nigerian youths, so they can contribute their quota to nation building,” she said.
According to Dikeh, the audition team is looking for passionate and talented youths who are poised to come to the limelight in the entertainment industry.
She said that at the end of the audition, selected contestants from Abuja would then slug it with other zones until the final winner emerges.
She further said that the grand finale is scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt, Rivers on Sept. 1.
Some of the contestants who spoke with NAN said they were looking for platforms to develop and express their talents and the Unleash Your Talent 2017 was a timely opportunity.
Miss Belinda Ezeofor, a lawyer said she decided to pursue a career in acting because of her flair and passion for it.
“Acting has been my interest from childhood, even before I went to the university to study law. I therefore see this programme as an opportunity to fulfill my dream.
“I will put in my best in this audition to enable me make it to the final stage,” she expressed.
Tina and Rita Mathew, identical twins and graduates of Theatre Arts, commended the ACTDF for bringing the talent hunt audition to Abuja.
“It is our dreams to grow in the acting profession and become celebrities, and a platform such as this will bring out the best in us towards realising the dream,” Tina said.
The panel of judges at the Abuja audition has seasoned actors, filmmakers and showbiz managers including Chinwe Eboh, El Deino and Olubunmi Fagbuyiro, a talent and brand management consultant.
Other members of the team are movie director Marx Adden and the Chief Whip of the Abuja chapter of the Actors Guild of Nigeria Oluwafemi Iwajomo.
NAN reports that organisers of the event had earlier said that each winner in dancing, singing and acting, respectively at the grand finale will get contracts worth one million naira and other cash prizes.
They will also be slated to join the ACTDF leadership on a trip to New York for the UN Summit holding later in September.
While the first and second runners up of the respective categories will also be rewarded with juicy contracts and cash prizes to enable them thrive as young artistes. (NAN)
JOSH/GY