Idols (West African TV series)

Last updated
Idols
Created by Simon Fuller
StarringDede Mabiaku
Abrewa Nana
Dan Foster
Country of originNigeria
Production
Running timeVaries
Original release
Network M-Net
Release2007 (2007)
Finalists
(With home country and dates of elimination)
Timi Dakolo Winner
Omawumi Megbele May 27
Temitayo GeorgeMay 21
Eric Arubayi †May 14
Jerrilyn MulbahMay 7
Jodie OdieteApril 30
Mercy NwankoApril 23
Uche UmeApril 16
Joan EkpaiApril 9
Omodele FatokiApril 2

Idols West Africa is the West African version of the Idol series franchise. Based in Nigeria, it is a talent contest to find a recording artiste, and aired on M-Net in 2007. Like the Pan-Arab entry to the series, the show incorporated countries throughout the West African region.

Contents

Season 1

The show is presented in English, hosted by Mike Majic. The three judges are: Nigerian Dede Mabiaku, Ghanaian Abrewa Nana and American Dan Foster.

Themes

April 2: My Idol
April 9: Old School
April 16: Current Hits
April 23: 80s & 90s
April 30: African Songs
May 7: My Idols
May 14: Producer's Choice
May 21: Ultimate Wishlist
May 27: Grand Finale

Finals elimination chart

Stage:Semi FinalsFinals
Weeks:03/0403/1103/1803/2504/0204/0904/1604/2304/3005/0705/1405/2105/27
PlaceContestantResult
1 Timi Dakolo 2Winner
2 Omawumi Megbele 1Btm3Btm3Btm2Btm2Runner-up
3Temitayo George2Btm2Btm3Elim
4Eric Arubayi2Btm2Btm3Elim
5Jerrilyn Mulbah1Btm2Btm2Btm2Elim
6Jodie Odiete1Btm3Elim
7Mercy Nwankwo2Btm2Elim
8Uche UmeElimWCElim
9Joan Ekpai1Elim
10Omodele FatokiWCElim
Legend
FemaleMaleSafeSafe firstSafe secondWildcardEliminated

Criticism

Despite the title, the show was dubbed 'Nigerian Idol' by the public. [ citation needed ] Most of the finalists - bar Liberian Jerrilyn Mulbar - were Nigerian. Most of the auditions were held in Nigerian cities (Lagos, Calabar and Abuja). Only one West African city outside Nigeria - Accra - hosted them.

Dan Foster was criticized for not showing up at the Ghana auditions. Fellow judge Dede Mabiaku (popularly known as the Nigerian Simon Cowell) also came under fire for his attitude towards an auditionee who had arrived clad in white briefs in a bid to imitate his hero Fela Kuti. Viewers were shocked to hear Mabiaku call the auditionee a liar, and accuse him of being on "some wrong pills". Foster attempted to calm Mabiaku, who continued to yell insults at the auditionee before asking him to leave, without giving the other judges a chance to vote either "Yes" or "No" [1]

The winner of the series, Timi Dakolo, is yet to release his debut album with Sony BMG, as announced by the producers of the show. [2] [3]

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