It’s been a long time coming, the wheels of fortune docks it treasure chest in Akwa Ibom State, bringing with it a large contingent of novelty, incentives, and glamour for the state’s creative ecosystem. On December 9th 2018 the city of Uyo will be on lockdown for the NIGHT OF STARS, the first-ever creative demonstration of topnotch performances from 30 emerging artistes in Music, Dance, and Drama. It is set to be “the making” for Rising Stars and a spectacle of Superstars.
On the pedestal of Governor Udom Emmanuel’s laser-focus to industrialize the state, accelerate economic growth in double digits, and especially revitalize the entertainment ecosystem; the stimulus program- Akwa Ibom Talent Showcase- has incubated the ingenuity of emerging Performing Artistes, and presently the top 30 headliners have their noses on the grindstone, putting in valuable time to review, rework, and render the most thrilling live performances uncommon in our clime. It will be a display of thoroughly-bred productions, and celebrated Superstar Judges in 2Face, Kaffy, and Uche Jumbo, pulling in their substance to give the required thrust for rising stars in Akwa Ibom State to achieve greatness.
Let’s take a snapshot at the iconic guest judges.
2BABA
Arguably, Tuface Idibia is the biggest music superstar from Nigeria to the world. Since his emergence from Plantashun Boiz into a solo act, 2Baba has built a reputation as the most consistent hit-maker in Africa’s Afro Pop genre. Hit songs like “My African Queen”, “Mfana Ibagha”, “For Instance”, “Enter The Place”, “Ihe Neme”, “Implication”, and the very recent “Amaka” has endeared him to a generation of smitten fans around the world.
Beside his day job as a serial international award-winning composer and singer ( MTV Europe Music Award, World Music Award, Headies Awards (Hip-hop award), Channel O Music Video Awards, BET award, MTV Africa Music Awards, MOBO award, KORA award); 2Baba’s involvement in significant social projects (both home and abroad) has etched his reputation as one of the most influential Nigerian in the global music industry.
His presence as guest Judge in AKWA IBOM Talent Showcase grand finale- NIGHT OF STARS will undeniably rub-off on the resolve of the top 30 top emerging artistes to go above and beyond.
KAFFY
The awesome queen of dance is Nigeria’s top-of-the-pick choreographer, dance and fitness instructor extraordinaire. Through a whirlwind career sojourn into stardom, Kaffy’s achievement in the entertainment industry has put Nigerian music on the global map. Her breakthrough performance in 2006 at Nokia Silverbird Danceathon broke the Guinness World Record for the “The Longest Dance Party” in the world (55hours and 40minutes), an exploit that defined and endorsed a career statement for the thousands of professional dancers in the industry.
Through an illustrious career spanning over a decade, Kaffy’s contribution to the entertainment industry and the lives of young Nigerians who aspire to become professional dancers is no mean feat. Beyond the numerous hit music videos she has performed in and produced, she has served as judge, faculty, and instructor to hit talent showcase such as ‘Malta Guinness Street Dance Africa”, “MTN’s Project Fame West Africa”, “Dance with Peter”, “9ja Dance Burnout” and “Ijoda 9ja Dance Burnout.” Her honors from “The Headies (Hip Hop World Awards)”, “Beatz Awards”, “African Muzik Magazine Awards” and other recognitions speaks volume of the mileage she has added to the entertainment ecosystem.
Kaffy is bringing an eagle-eye view to the rumble that will unfold at the NIGHT OF STARS and her rank as judge will elevate the imagination of these rising stars from Akwa Ibom State.
UCHE JUMBO
The poster darling for the ‘woke’, brave, and delightful. Uche Jumbo is the queen of intensity, and she carries that energy into every movie project she features or produces. In almost two decade of acting and producing, some of her movies took the Nollywood space by storm. Flicks such as “Games Men Play”, “A Time To Love”, “Girls in the Hood”, and “The Celebrity”, “Damage”, “Nollywood Hustlers”, “Lies Men Tell”, “Holding Hope”, “Keep My Will”, “Darkest Night”, and “Kiss And Tell”, have left a lasting imprint in millions of screens around the world.
With a remarkably sought-after persona up her sleeves, Uche Jumbo’s appearance in 2012 star-studded reality show known as “Screen Divas” on Ebony Life TV, featuring alongside famous Nollywood actresses- Funke Akindele, Kate Henshaw, and Rita Dominic made her case as a role model for millennial. She is an ambassador for top corporate brands in Nigeria, and her work in pulling top entertainment talents into the ecosystem further validates her seat as guest Judge at the NIGHT OF STARS. She brings the icing on the cake, for the top 30 performing artistes and the fans.
The Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Culture and Tourism, the charismatic Nollywood Superstar Ini Edo is putting wind in the sail of the state’s creative ecosystem, She posits that Governor Udom Emmanuel is committed to investing in young people for the talented youth population to rise to the spirit of greatness (Dakkada). As captured in her statement during the Project’s Press Conference, “Governor Emmanuel is committed to continuously spinout breakthrough career opportunities to our ambitious and daring young men and women’’. “As a drop of water creates the tiniest of ripple in an ocean, this project will yield the resounding effect in the lives of all participants and in queue the economy of the state.”
The lineup for the NIGHT OF STARS is unrivaled, a night that will no doubt blend the shine of superstar judges and rising stars to open a season where the endeavors of the Talented, Brave, and Devoted are rewarded.
