By Prince Osuagwu

The  MTN Project Fame Season II Academy has commenced with the admission of 15 exceptional contestants into the musical academy. The show began on Sunday at Ultima Studios, Omole, Lagos, with the unveiling of the 18 finalists shortlisted from the comprehensive auditions held across major West African cities.The Academy will be in session for 10 weeks.

From the 18 contestants, 12 were automatically admitted into the Academy based on their extraordinary performance at the various auditions. The remaining six were made to perform before a live audience and television viewers across West Africa following which three were judged fit for the Academy.

According to the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Mr Kola Oyeyemi, the Gala show marked the beginning of a turning point in the lives of “these youths who have come to see their lives transformed from that of everyday people with raw talents into superstars. This is a wonderful moment in the development of Nigerian music. MTN has chosen to identify with the aspirations of these youths and invest in their future because we believe in their talents. As we can see, some of them are still jittery, but by the time we are done with them, after ten weeks of intensive musical training and transformation, this same set of people will be set for fame and stardom, and you will find it difficult to believe they were the same people you saw today.”