By Omon-Julius Onabu
A new platform for talent discovery exclusively targeting young people, called “Made in Delta Talent Search” is set to boost the state’s diverse empowerment endeavours and equally spice up the entertainment industry in Nigeria.
The platform is designed not only to discover talents in the area of comedy, movie and music but to as well develop, expose and promote them on the larger stage, the organisers told newsmen in Asaba, the state capital.
Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa on Talent Development, Ogusbaba Akpobome Ogude, who unveiled the talent discovery platform to media practitioners, also explained why it was a unique venture.
Flanked by the governor’s Special Adviser on New Media, Gwam Veronica and Head of Innovation, Talent Development of the platform, Kingsley Kings, Ogusbaba however said that participation in the audition was open to all Nigerians.
The ace comedian disclosed that his office was in partnership with veterans and legends in the entertainment industry including Richard Mofe Damijo popularly known as RMD, Alibaba, Omawumi and others to ensure that only the best emerges.
Winners at the end of the search would not receive monetary reward but a contract worth N5m (five million), in addition to wardrobe allowance and strategic exposure to the global community, he further said.
Ogusbaba, who desribed the talent discovery project as “the new crude’ which would thrive on even if the oil dries up, said, “This is another initiative of the governor, to give youths another opportunity to showcase what they have.
“In talent development, we believe that talent is the ‘new crude’ because someday oil will dry and talent will keep striving.
“We don’t just say it but we have been able to prove it that talent is the new crude because the movie, music and comedy industries are worth billions of dollars.
“The comedy industry could singularly start from Warri with the likes of ‘Ali Baba’, Kome and ‘I-Go-Die’.
“We have been able to produce great comedians who we now see as role models, talent accessors who can help the next generation.
“We don’t want the generation of the greats in the industry to fade away and then to have difficulty in discovering new ones to bridge the gap.
“That is precisely why we believe this is the right time. As the world is facing COVID-19, the new normal should be discovering new talents”.
