As the quest for gainful employment toughens everyday with the unleashing of many graduates from universities and high institutions across the country, many youths are now finding succour in entertainment, especially reality TV shows and the music industry.
The reality of the situation is obvious as thousands of youths from across the country besiege Protea Hotel Leadway, Maryland, Lagos for the audition of Big Brother Africa Season 8.
The four-day audition witnessed over 3,000 youths comprising university graduates, undergraduates, serving youth corps members, self-employed, lots from the entertainment world and even some Nigerians abroad using all the tact they could muscle to convince the judges at the audition to select them under the Nigerian ticket for the reality TV show due to commence in less than three months.
The auditioning, limited to just one centre this year, unlike last year’s which held in both Abuja and Lagos, a few would-be contestants flew into Lagos, while many came by road just to try their hands on a game that is reputed for changing the lives of its contestants.
Helen Effiong, a lawyer who flew in from Calabar, came for the audition to follow her passion. Though a lawyer, the 24-year old revealed that she had always desired an affair with showbiz and modeling. If she successfully passes through the auditions to the final stage of representing Nigeria, she hopes use the BBA Season 8 platform to float her modeling outfit.
But Demola Oyemade, popularly known as ‘Saga’, said he is hopeful of making it to the Big Brother House in South Africa where he avowed to use all tact and wit to win the $300,000 and the fame that follows it. “What I need is the money to set up a fishery and pig farm because I studied animal science in the university. I will employ people, also do lots of charity as my own way of showing gratitude to the BBA platform that favoured me,” he noted.
Uche Onuma, a university graduate from Abia State, paid his way to the Lagos to participate in the audition because he insisted that he has something the judges are looking for. When asked what that could be, the 23-year-old who grew up in Port Harcourt said his sense of humour, authenticity and skillfulness at almost everything are qualities that can survive 91 days in Big Brother House in South Africa. “Just watch out for Uche, he will make Nigeria proud,” his assured.
As many of these participants expressed high expectations and braved the Lagos baking sun to try their luck for the fame and fortune that trail participation in Africa’s biggest television reality show, Biola Alabi, managing director, M-Net Africa, said they held the open auditions to allow individuals who were unable to enter few weeks ago a chance to impress the selection team.
In its eighth season, BBA, produced by Endemol SA, is open to persons over the age of 21, who are citizens of one of the participating countries and have a valid passport or will be able to obtain one by the end of March.
The participating countries are Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
On May 26, new housemates representing each of these countries will be announced at a glittering opening ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The winner of this year will take home $300,000 after spending 91 days in the Big Brother House.
OBINNA EMELIKE
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