Entertainment
Victory Gbakara Wins Nigerian Idol 8, Claims ₦35M Cash Prize
The winner of the eighth season of Nigerian Idol, the nation’s most popular singing competition, has been named as Victory Gbakara after eight weeks of intense battle.
Over 10,000 auditioners for the hotly fought program were down to 29 finalists, who were then narrowed down to the top 10 candidates, before it debuted on DStv and GOtv on April 23.
The winner recently took home the coveted grand prize, which included 35 million dollars in cash, a new SUV, a Bigi refrigerator and a year’s supply of Bigi soft drink, an expense-paid trip from Tecno, a record deal with a reputable label that will include a video shoot, a year’s supply of WAW detergent, and a fully installed DStv Explora with a one-year Premium subscription.
When the program returns in 2021, Victory Gbakara will become a member of the exclusive group of victors that have emerged. Victory will now be regarded as a talented alumnus alongside Kingdom Kroseide, who won the championship in 2021, and Progress Chukwuyem, who brought home the prize only last year.
Victory Gbakara has always been a star, and one could sense his potential even at the audition stage, one of the judges named Obi-Asika noted in reference to Victory’s performances during the entire season. We, the judges, are pleased with how he developed during the contest and won the tournament.
According to John Ugbe, CEO of MultiChoice West Africa, “Nigerian Idol has developed into a formidable platform for investing in the Nigerian entertainment sector and has turned into a vehicle for aspirant outstanding singers who may build a name for themselves. We must carefully consider the industry’s trajectory and how young Nigerians will contribute to that future because it is predicted to reach $14.82 billion by 2025.
“Nigeria is filled with creative talent and music that can change the world, and we are happy to play a part in helping thousands of people all throughout the country realize their dreams. We have a stake in achieving much more.
Three judges – music executive Obi Asika, singer-songwriter Simi, and award-winning musician D’banj – were present for the 2023 edition, which was presented by well-known media personality IK Osakioduwa. Young, up-and-coming artists in Nigeria have used Nigerian Idol as a launching pad for their musical careers ever since it began in 2011.
Nigerian Idol has evolved from being merely an entertaining program to a key indicator of trends within the African music industry as well as a strategic investment in the industry, providing a platform for up-and-coming artists to reach an audience, tap into fame, and eventually achieve commercial success.
Victory expressed his gratitude to the show’s producers and audience, despite the fact that he was still in shock about his victory. I’m so ecstatic, he exclaimed. Guys, I’m just ecstatic. Without the love and support of my family, friends, and particularly my great fans, this trip would not have been possible and has been a life-changing experience.
Multichoice’s Head of material and West Africa Channels, Dr. Busola Tejumola, comments on the grand finale: “At Multichoice, we are extremely deliberate about what our material can achieve for our audience and the community at large.
Beyond just being entertaining, Nigerian Idol serves as a driver of economic development and a means of enhancing lives. We are proud to support Victory Gbakara on her path.
The Nigerian music business benefits commercially and via talent development as a result of Nigerian Idol. Music, a fast expanding segment of the entertainment industry, has improved public perception of Nigeria and given the country a positive image.
As more artists like Victory Gbakara continue to make excellent music that may draw listeners from across the world, it also makes a substantial contribution to the nation’s GDP and is anticipated to grow. Nigeria’s music income increased from 26 million US dollars in 2014 to 34 million US dollars in 2018, and by 2023, Statista projects that it will reach 44 million US dollars.
By offering employment to hundreds of production staff, stylists, makeup artists, and other musicians on the show, MultiChoice Nigeria, through Nigerian Idol and other music programs and channels, aids in the sector’s expansion.
The top 10 contestants, including the Grammy-winning singer Simi, the ballad king Johnny Drille, the star on the rise Fave, and the winner of Nigerian Idol season 7 Progress, all sang during the grand finale.
Tecno Mobile and Bigi Drinks sponsored Season 8 of Nigerian Idol.
Popular Nigerian music star, Simisola Bolatito Kosoko, popularly known as Simi, has welcomed her second child with her husband, singer Adekunle Kosoko, widely known as Adekunle Gold.
She shared the news on Instagram on Wednesday evening.
In her post, Simi revealed that the baby was born on March 10, 2026.
She posted maternity photos and addressed earlier rumours that she had given birth to twins in January, making it clear that this is her second child.
Simi referred to herself as “mommy of two,” while Adekunle Gold responded in the comments, calling himself “Daddy of two.”
She wrote, “+1. 3.10.26. God bless my little family. Mommyof2.”
The couple did not disclose the baby’s name or gender.
A woman who said she was drugged and sexually assaulted by veteran US entertainer Bill Cosby was awarded more than $19 million on Monday after a civil hearing in California.
Donna Motsinger said she was working as a waitress more than 50 years ago when the performer began to target her.
In the civil case decided in Santa Monica, the suit stated that the comedian had initially come into the restaurant where the now-84-year-old Motsinger worked.
According to court filings, one day, when he picked her up in his limousine, Cosby gave her a glass of wine and what she thought was aspirin.
She began slipping in and out of consciousness, and the next thing she knew, she was waking up at home, wearing only her underwear.
“She knew she had been drugged and raped by Bill Cosby,” the suit said.
Attorneys said Cosby, 88, did not remember any sexual contact with Motsinger, but that any that had occurred had been consensual.
The jury took three days to deliver its verdict, ordering Cosby to pay $19.3 million, a figure that could increase if they add punitive damages.
The case was heard in the same courthouse where a 2022 jury ordered Cosby to pay $500,000 in damages to Judy Huth after finding that he had molested her in 1975 when she was just 16 years old.
The man formerly known as “America’s Dad” was jailed in Pennsylvania for drugging and molesting a woman in a separate criminal case in 2018, but was freed in 2021 when his conviction was overturned on a technicality.
Cosby was a towering figure in late 20th-century American popular culture, including for his starring role in “The Cosby Show,” which ran from 1984 to 1992.
Dozens of women have accused Cosby of being a calculating, serial predator who plied victims with sedatives and alcohol before assaulting them over four decades.
AFP
Funke Akindele’s blockbuster film, which broke box office records in West Africa, will premiere on Netflix on April 3.
This follows a successful theatrical run that grossed over N2.7 billion, making it the highest-grossing Nollywood film of all time.
The film’s streaming debut marks Akindele’s return to Netflix since “Omo Ghetto: The Saga”, highlighting her consistent cinema-first approach and record-breaking annual December releases.
“Behind The Scenes” features an ensemble cast, including Scarlet Gomez, Uzor Arukwe, and Tobi Bakre, and explores themes of generosity, family, and personal responsibility.
Produced by Akindele and Wendy Uwadiae Imasuen, the film’s success extends beyond Nigeria, with notable performances in the UK, Ireland, North America, and Canada.
It became the first Nollywood film to cross the N2 billion mark and achieved N512 million within its first 12 days.
The film’s distributor, Filmone, announced its Netflix premiere, stating, “From shattering box office records to streaming in YOUR HOME and on the go! The record-breaking title, Behind The Scenes, is coming to you on NETFLIX.
“After shattering records with over 2.7 billion at the Box Office, Behind The Scenes will be available for streaming from April 3rd. Watch Behind The Scenes on Netflix from April 3rd”.
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