
By Olu Victor
It was not all singing and dancing for Nigerian Idol Season 4 contestants, as a day out with Pepsi provided them opportunity for a variety of tasks and entertainment. Out of the usual daily rehearsals and klieg lights, onto a sunny day in Lagos with Pepsi, the official beverage of the Music TV reality show, the contestants were quite excited to take on various tasks.
The Pepsi Day Out with Nigerian Idol contestants started quite early with a gym session at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island. While still at the gym, they were surprised by a visit from Eminado crooner and Pepsi music ambassador, Tiwa Savage, who invited them to a live radio presentation and interview at Cool FM. Tiwa would later interact with them and give them tips on how to succeed in their music careers.
At a studio in Victoria Island, the Nigerian Idol contestants were given the task of writing an advertisement copy and recording a 15 seconds television commercial. It was a challenging task which stretched their imagination and brought out more creativity in them.
Highpoint of the day was the dinner at Johnny Rocket restaurant, which was a mixture of fun and suspense as the contestants waited for the announcement of the winner of the Television Commercial (TVC) challenge. Tiwa announced Anthony Akpan (Antwon) as the winner and Paul Enoma (Xolani) as the first runner-up to a thunderous applause by all who were present.
Head of Marketing, Seven-Up Bottling Company, Mr. Norden Thurston presented cash prizes of N50,000 to the two winners. He expressed delight at the enormous talents exhibited by the contestants. “I am quite confident that hopefully Nigeria will have another Tiwa Savage from these six contestants”, Mr. Thurston said.
According to him: “While Pepsi associates with established stars in Music like Pepsi Global ambassador Beyonce, and at home in Nigeria, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid and Lynxxx, Pepsi is involved in Nigerian Idol to create a platform for young Nigerians to voice their dreams. Hopefully spending the day with Tiwa will inspire these talented contestants to follow their dreams, and be a key step to success in the music industry”.
Tiwa encouraged the contestants to have confidence in themselves as it is the major tool required to get goals accomplished. According to her, “every individual is endowed with greatness, which can only be realised through boldness and self confidence”. She advised them to stay focused and be humble in their career.
Anthony Akpan (Antwon), winner of the TVC task, expressed his happiness for winning the cash prize; “Pepsi has given me a new life right from the audition stage to this crucial stage of the competition. I have seen their good work and I am truly excited”.
For Odugbemi Idowu Sarah (EYE-D), another contestant, “today is truly a great day; to have a superstar like Tiwa Savage around us, and to be given the opportunity to perform for her. Wow, this is a real boost to my music career”.
The grand finale of Nigerian Idol Season 4 will take place on June 7, 2014, where two final contestants will battle for the star prize