Miss Health International Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organisation, is set to organise a reality TV talent show to harness the talents inherent in Persons With Disabilities (PWDs).
Mr Nick Bebiem, the executive producer, said this in a statement issued in Abuja.
Bebiem said the reality TV talent show is tagged: The Aid (Ability in Disability) talent hunt show’.
He said opportunities had always eluded young people with disabilities due to marginalisation they faced in the entertainment industry.
“Over the years in Nigeria, we have had series of reality shows which produced stars such as KCEE, Chidinma, Iyanya and many others. But the opportunity has always eluded young people with disabilities due to marginalisation they face in many forms in the entertainment industry. Their gifts/talents have not been harnessed, in order to harness more talents like Cohbams Asuquo, Crazy legs, Yinka Ayefele and Kenny Blind”.
According to him, it is pertinent that the association has a talent hunt specifically for PWDs.
“It will be a great sight to behold a young man with physical disability cracking ribs, or singing in a melodious voice or a blind dancing so well. A deaf who can act or sing popular songs with sign language of lyrics you know he have never heard. There are many talented PWDs waiting to take the world by storm, but their hopes and dreams are always dashed before they are even conceived. As a PWD and passionate about disability issues, I am elated that God is about to answer the pray of many of us. We have young PWDs with good talent in one art or other but have limited opportunity”.
Bebiem noted that PWDs were always faced with several challenges, ranging from inaccessibility of public buildings and rejections from some quarters.
He added that the first Nigerian Reality TV Show packaged exclusively for PWDs to harness their potential and talents in entertainment was a prayer answered.
“This talent hunt is historic as it will help to bring us to the limelight and build our self-esteem which we are lacking in our quest of becoming super stars. The aid talent hunt show will give us a sense of belonging, there is now an opportunity for us to show the world that we can become super stars”.
Bebiem said the aim of the show is to create a world of endless possibilities with the desire to empower them with skills necessary to be included in entertainment sector.
He said 50 PWDs would be groomed and trained in an in-house camping for 13 weeks to become amazing entertainers.
The contestants would include singers, dancers, comedians, artists, actors and poetics with disabilities.
A grand prize of N3.5 million awaits the winner of the reality TV show, alongside a record deal and other consolation prizes for the contestants.
The winner will also star in an upcoming movie.
The AID Talent Hunt was designed to discover, develop and promote talents inherent in PWDs.
The show aimed at boosting the self-esteem and independence of PWDs will ensure their full participation in the entertainment industry.
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