Posted by By TOSIN AJIRIRE on
A friend in need, they say, is a friend in deed. But for Timi Dakolo, new kid on the Idols block, his girl friend had dumped him at a time he needed her most. Recently, the 26 year-old Mass Communication student of the University of Port Harcourt had narrated to Blockbuster how he used to drink garri day and night in school.
A friend in need, they say, is a friend in deed. But for Timi Dakolo, new kid on the Idols block, his girl friend had dumped him at a time he needed her most. Recently, the 26 year-old Mass Communication student of the University of Port Harcourt had narrated to Blockbuster how he used to drink garri day and night in school.
According to him, he could boast of no other food than garri even up to the time he turned up for the Idols West Africa show. And of course, this was the time his girl friend chose to dump him.
"Bros, life has been so hard on me. I have no other food than garri. The garri I have drank as a student would fill a whole room," Timi had declared soberly.
Asked what he would do with the N1.3 million prize if he eventually emerged the winner of the reality show, Timi had said thus: "I came from a poor family.
I know what I am going through as a University student. If I win the money, I will spend the greater part of it on my family."
Now that he won, Timi is not reneging on his promise. He would surely take care of himself and family. But his grouse is with the girl that dumped him in times of need - who was not there to witness his rise to fame and fortune.
However, in the euphoria of his emerging the first winner of Idols West Africa last Saturday at the Planet One, Timi, in response to a poser from this reporter, had retorted: "My girl friend? I have not seen her for a long time. I don't know where she is. Its like I don't have a girl friend now."
As he stood with thousands of other hopefuls in an audition line earlier this year, Timi couldn't have imagined in his wildest dreams that just five months, a series of dazzling performances and one unforgettable moment later, he would become the first ever Idol.
For the past week, thousands of Idols fans, who have followed the show on DStv's M-Net and AfricaMagic channels, had kept texting and voting online for their favourite of the two remaining contestants Omawumi and Timi.
Nevertheless, as the presenter Mike Magic announced the winner that night, an approving roar went up from the crowd, and an overwhelmed Timi took his place in the spotlight. Applauded for his success by judges Dede Mabiaku, Abrewa Nana and Dan Foster including celebrity Ghanaian guest, Reggie Rockstone, Timi began to sing his new soon-to-be recorded single "I Love You" as fans cheered him on. His win had seen him triumph over fellow finalists Omawumi, who received 37 per cent of the votes, less than Timi's 63.
All the Top 10 contestants, confident and stylishly attired, later took to the stage to showcase their talents. A powerful group rendition of the hit "I Wanna Be The Only One" by Eternal provided a fun highlight to the event while also adding to the night's jam-packed line-up was a beautiful duet of Vanessa Williams' "You Are Everything" performed by contestants Jodie and Uche.
After the show, M-Net Director of Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa Joseph Hundah praised the winner and all the contestants, most especially the top ten.
"In every song, verse and lyric, week after week, you showed audiences across Africa that sometimes dreams can come true.
You lent a fresh rhythm to legendary vocals, you gave new life to well-known hits and you sang with the clear, commanding voice of a new generation even when paying tribute to generations before. We respect your work, admire your courage and wish you well. From our stage to other stages, our best wishes go with you as you head out to stand in other spotlights."
Hundah went on to thank the show's production teams Pan African Entertainment and Fremantle.
In addition, he thanked the show's headline sponsor Celtel and associate sponsor Ecobank, Sony/BMG Africa International, Dana Group Nigeria, Virgin Nigeria and Planet One while also paying special tribute to auditing firm Alexander Forbes for ensuring that the show's voting process was fair and accurate.
Timi walked away with a recording contract from SONY/BMG Africa International, a Kia Picanto from Dana Group Nigeria, 10, 000 Dollars from Ecobank and from Celtel, a 26 inch LCD TV, I-Pod and DStv system.