Lagos - Music TV channel MTV base and telecommunications giant MTN Nigeria Communications Limited are looking for Nigeria's first-ever MTV TV presenter.
The two companies are inviting talented young Nigerians who are adventurous and love music to take part in the upcoming MTV & MTN VJ Search auditions. There, the skill and ability of Nigerian youth will be put to the ultimate test, as we select one Xtracool babe or dude who will be transformed into Nigeria's hottest new music journalist & TV presenter (VJ). In just two months, the winner will be hosting his or her own TV show on MTV base and STV: MTV & MTN Naija Hits! It's the gig of a lifetime!
MTN and the MTV base cameras will roll their high-octane audition road show into Lagos, Abuja, Benin and Jos City during September 2007, searching for talented young individuals to become MTV base's first ever TV presenter or VJ (video jockey) from the region. Led by MTV base TV star and former VJ search winner Sizwe Dhlomo, the MTV base crew will be seeking out TV wannabes with the style, skill and sparkle to host their very own MTV base TV show and to join the elite band of MTV presenters (or VJs) around the world!
One finalist will be chosen in each city to go forward to the final round where viewers can get to know them more closely in a TV special on STV and MTV base (DStv Channel 88 and Hi TV). The four hopefuls will ultimately come together in a glittering grand finale event in Lagos to show off their skills in front of a live studio audience and compete for the final votes from viewers. The Nigerian VJ winner will be announced live on-air on STV and MTV base on 12 October 2007.
Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, MTV Networks Africa said that MTV is keen to encourage contestants from all walks of life: ‘It doesn't matter where you've come from or what you do now – what matters is where you're going to! This is a genuinely life-changing opportunity for real people to break into the entertainment business for the job of a lifetime. You don't need any previous TV experience: just guts, personality with a capital ‘P', a love of contemporary music, and the ability to talk compellingly about music to your peers. Shrinking violets need not apply: in just a few months' time our winner could be interviewing the biggest stars in Africa and across the world!'
According to Amina Oyagbola, MTN's spokesperson, 'The MTV & MTN Naija Hits project is one of MTN's ways of harnessing skills and building capacity among Nigerian youth to assist them to achieve whatever they want to accomplish in life.‘ She promised that the project would help to give focus and direction to young people who show a flair for music presentation on television.
MTV base star Sizwe Dhlomo – who won his own way to fame and fortune in 2005 - will act as MC during the auditions in conjunction with Nigerian celebrity hosts. Pumping up the volume and keeping the crowd entertained during the auditions with performances from top Nigerian acts, plus open mike sessions, MC battles and DJ spin-offs throughout the day.
The MTV & MTN VJ Search auditions are open to all Nigerian citizens between the ages of 18 and 25. No prior TV or presenting experience is required. All you need to take part is a sparkling personality and the ability to pick up a mic in front of the cameras and talk about what you love most – MUSIC!
Highlights, funny moments and musical performances from the auditions will feature on MTV base (DStv Channel 88 and Hi TV) and STV from 5 October onwards, with the four finalists battling it out on-air before the winner is announced on 12 October.
To find out more log onto http://www.mtnonline.com or http://www.mtvbase.com.
