BY JULIET EKWENUGO
Kaduna
Organisers of the Idoma Centenary Plus Celebration have unveiled the Idoma Talent Hunt (ITH), a youth empowerment initiative designed to discover, nurture and promote talented young people of Idoma extraction, with a brand new car and cash prizes worth N4 million up for grabs.
The initiative, one of the legacy programmes of the centenary celebration themed, ‘From Idoma Division to Benue South Senatorial Zone: Honouring Our Century, Forging Our Future’, will feature auditions in Abuja, Lagos and Otukpo before a grand finale scheduled for December 26, 2026.
In a joint statement signed by the director general of the Idoma Centenary Plus Celebration, Arc. Ene Ijegwa Adaji, and chairman of the Youths and Innovation Committee, Engr. Emmanuel Adakole Otene, the organisers described the talent hunt as a strategic investment in the future of the Idoma nation and a platform to identify, develop and showcase exceptional young talents.
According to the statement, the audition tour will begin in Abuja on July 10 and 11 at Merit House, No. 22 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, before moving to Lagos on August 8 and 9.
” The final audition phase will hold in Otukpo on August 21 and 22, while venues for the Lagos and Otukpo auditions will be announced later”.
Contestants selected from the three audition centres will compete at the grand finale, where the overall winner will receive a brand new car, a professional management deal and collaboration opportunities to launch a career in the creative industry.
The first runner-up will receive ₦2.5 million, while the second runner-up will go home with N1.5 million.
The organisers said the competition is open to talented youths with skills in music, dance, drama, comedy, spoken word, instrumental performance and other creative disciplines.
They added that beyond the prizes, participants would have the opportunity to perform before industry professionals, producers, talent scouts and investors, providing exposure, mentorship, networking opportunities and career development support.
Describing the initiative as more than a talent competition, the organisers said it is aimed at uncovering hidden talents, promoting cultural identity and positioning Idoma youths to excel on national and international stages.
They urged talented sons and daughters of Idoma, both at home and in the Diaspora, to take advantage of the opportunity by participating in the auditions, while calling on parents, traditional rulers, schools, youth organisations and community leaders to encourage gifted young people to register.
The statement expressed confidence that the initiative would produce a new generation of ambassadors for the Idoma nation and contribute to the long-term vision of the Idoma Centenary Plus Celebration.
The organisers also disclosed that the Idoma Centenary Plus Celebration is being coordinated under the leadership of the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Yakubu Ochefu, with Chief Dr. Paul Edeh serving as secretary of the board.
