Friday, the 20th of May marked the official unveil of the fifth edition of the foremost annual grassroots talents exposition UNLEASH Your Talents.
The project which has recorded four successive editions primarily from Ikorodu division of Lagos State is a grassroots youth re-orientation programme designed for discovery of talents as well as to serve as platform for promotion of discovered budding talents in the entertainment sector of Lagos State.
Giving the opening speech at the epochal event, the Operations Leader of Fanafillit Integrated Concepts (organizers), Mr. Sola Adeleke stated that this year edition is posed to be a progressive turn around for the project which has recorded huge success over the years in touching lives of youths in Ikorodu division. He explained further in his words that “UNLEASH as a grassroots talent exposition is not just all about fanfare but the end-result of taking to the next level the discovered talents from the exposition, with the ultimate aim of keeping them on track towards the actualization of their vision and passion.”
Speaking at the Official flag off/Media briefing for this year edition, the Acting Coordinator, Princess Aderoju Ladega (Founder, Never Say Never Foundation) highlighted the rationale behind the consistency of Organizers in sustenance of the noble initiative. Aderoju in her words assured that this particular edition would not only be a major success in terms of participation but go a long way in meeting up with the needs and passion of youths who have the strong passion for making a difference in the entertainment sector of the Centre of Excellence and the nation by extension.
In attendance at the Official flag were notable personalities in Ikorodu division who includes Mayor Deen Sanwoola, {CEO, Something Else Recreation centre and DG, I care Foundation) who also represented I Care Foundation, a pet project of Hon. Babajimi Benson, the Federal House of Representative member representing Ikorodu division.
Speaking at the august occasion, Mayor Deen enjoined all well meaning personalities in Ikorodu division and Lagos State by extension to rally round the organizers of the noble initiative and ensure its sustenance. He further stated that the outcome of the fourth edition spurred the I Care Foundation to identify with the project, having realized that it’s a concept which has a goal of positively impacting on lives. He said further that, “we at I Care foundation are ready to ingest all that it requires to ensure that this edition is not only a success, but a significantly point of reference and template for other projects such as this.”
Also in attendance were Bashir Oluwakemi Hassan (CEO, Suave Records) who also represented Eroz Place and Rhoda Youth Centre who are the Official Chops Providers and Audio-visual Supports for the project respectively; the MD of NETBOSS Ltd, Mr. Femi Ogunbanke; Mr. Larry Ologbosere, CEO of Creative catwalk Academy; Mr. Olabode, CEO of Covenant Music Institute; and representatives of 226 Makeovers and Corsican Brothers.
The project Initiator, Mr. Olubode Oserinde while giving his thank you speech also assured that this year edition s posed to take the initiative a notch higher. This, according to him, explains the tagline of “…the movement edition.”
The initiator in his word stated that, “this edition is going to serve as a launch-pad for the coverage of entire Lagos State (from next edition). And that is why we have the identification of the Lagos State Ministry of Youths and Social Development whose Honorable Commissioner had assured us of her presence at the Grand finale holding in August.” Speaking further, he said, “To entrench further our vision and make it stronger, we have introduced a new scheme into the project called MIME- Mentors’ Inspirational Moments for Empowerment. MIME is a scheme that will see to winners and 1st runners-up of each segment of the project being adopted for mentorship by veterans in the industry. The veterans we had approached and who already assured us of their identification with the project and presence at the Grand finale includes, the King of Comedy, Ali Baba, Omo Oba Gbenga Adeyinka D 1st, Hilary Jackson, Lexy Mojo Eyes and a host of others.”
This year edition of the project is thrown open for interested youths between ages 15 to 30 to register.
Interested participants are to either REGISTER online www.unleashyourtalents.com.ng or SMS REG/Names/Category/Age/Address/ to 08028165620 or 08126656206 E.g. REG/John Abdul/Dance/16/14, Kareem Street, Ori-Okuta Agric Ikorodu to 08028165620 or 08126656206. Applicants would receive confirmation of their registration code with audition details via SMS within 24-hours of registration.
Auditions are t hold at four major locations within Ikorodu division namely, D’Jos Hotel, Ijede; Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat; Something Else, Ikorodu; and Youths Centre, Igbogbo. The outcome of the auditions would see to selection of five (5) Most Outstanding Talents each in Music, Dance, Comedy and Modelling for the next stage which is UNLEASH Orientation camp.
UNLEASH Season V which promises to enjoy the massive support of the nation’s leading telecommunication Giant, Airtel Nigeria, is also geared to enjoy the support and identification of other private and government establishments such as Intercontinental Distillers, PZ Cussons, SLOT Nigeria, I Care Foundation, Legendary Gold Ltd, G & M Dry Cleaners, Onward Movement, Glorious Opportunity, Globatech World Computers, Laspotech and Corsican Brothers.
Official partners for UYT Season V include:
Eroz Place (Official Chops Partners); Beeth Events (Official Catering Partners), Nikimore Ltd (Official Decorations Partners); 226 Makeovers (Official Makeover Partners); Five Star Beauty Parlor (Official Hair Partners); Owambe Group (Official Clothing Partners); Dicxon Apparels (Official Branding Partners); NETBOSS Services (Official IT Partners); D’Jos Hotel (Official Hotel Partners); Covenant Music Institutes (Official Music Directors); Rhoda Youth Centre (Official Audio-visual Partners); Kingscourt Events Centre (Official Events Hall Partners); DJ Tonyz Da Blastmaster (Official DJ) and UPTOWN Beauty World.
