Globacom and broadcast company MNET have signed a three-year sponsorship deal on Naija Sings, a musical reality TV show aimed at discovering, developing and rewarding Nigeria’s brightest, and boldest musical talents.

This was disclosed at an elaborate press conference held in Lagos on September 1. The event was preceded by a contract signing ceremony at the corporate headquarters of Globacom. The show will now be known as Glo Naija Sings, with Globacom as exclusive title sponsors.

Bode Opeseitan, Globacom’s Director of Special Promotions, signed on behalf of the telecoms giant while Mrs Biola Alabi, the Managing Director of Mnet signed for her organisation. The press conference on Wednesday was used to introduce the sponsorship to the media and the general public.

At stake every year is the sum of $100,000 (about N15 million) for the winner and a brand new SUV plus an assured future in the hall of fame and fortune.

Opeseitan disclosed that the company welcomed the opportunity to partner with MNET to provide an “enabling platform for youths to showcase their talents” and assured them that they can indeed rule in their different spheres of life if they exerted themselves vigorously and reached for the stars.

He added that Globacom’s “commitment to this project is borne out of a conviction that out there are raw talents and skills waiting to be discovered and motivated. That is why we are working with MNET on this project”.

In her remarks, Mnet’s Managing Director, Mrs Alabi said her organisation was delighted with the sponsorship of Naija Sings by Glo. “In creating this series last year, M-Net focused on celebrating Nigerian talent. In 2010, this vision continues – to discover incredible singers and give them the chance of a lifetime – to be heard across Nigeria and beyond its borders and to compete for a grand prize of USD 100 000. Our cameras have travelled through Lagos, Benin City, Enugu, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Kano and Abuja to find inspiring, entertaining contestants with amazing voices and to place them onstage and in the spotlight,” she noted.

In his speech, Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, Joseph Hundah, said his company, which manages the DStv brand in the country, was delighted about the sponsorship deal between Glo and M-Net.

“I will like to also congratulate Globacom for identifying with M-Net’s vision of developing local talents across all spheres of the entertainment industry in Nigeria and for coming on board as sponsors of one of the most exciting reality shows on the DStv platform – Naija Sings”

Mr. Hundah said that the Nigerian youths are set to benefit from this new partnership between two companies with profound passion for creating diverse platforms for youth’s empowerment. “I will also like to congratulate M-Net for this milestone achievement in partnering with another world class organization like Globacom which shares similar values and passion. This communality in philosophy can only yield positive developments for both brands. I am sure that this partnership will also impact positively on the youths of Nigeria.”