Nigerian-born Chidinma Ekile, who recently emerged winner of this year’s edition of the MTN Project Fame West Africa musical contest, which ended amid applause and ovation in Lagos, over the weekend, is still savouring the joy of her victory.

She’s also relishing her new status as the newest celebrity/star in the music industry with all the attendant pecks, razzmatazz and media blitz.

Petite Chidinma, 21, the first female to clinch the overall prize since the highly-applauded annual TV reality show began in 2008, has now joined the duo of Iyanya Mbuk and Mike Anyasodo, both past winners, on the exclusive honours list.

The emerging talent was announced winner of the 10-week long competition during the final show, which was well-attended.

She beat the other contenders, Kesse, Eyo, Yetunde, Tolu and Ochuko by pulling the highest votes from viewers across West Africa. Chidinma was rewarded with the ultimate prize of N2.5 million, a Toyota RAV 4 and a one-year recording contract

Kesse emerged the first runner-up, winning N1.5 million and a Toyota Corolla, Eyo, the second runner-up, smiled home with N1 million and a Toyota Yaris, while Yetunde the third runner-up got N1 million.
Presenting the prizes to the contestants, Mr. Wale Goodluck Corporate Service
Executive, MTN Nigeria, congratulated the contestants for emerging winners of the show and advised them to make the best of the opportunity provided them by MTN.

“MTN Nigeria is committed to creating opportunities for Nigerians and the Project
Fame West Africa is just another platform for such opportunities. As another set of young individuals have been empowered, we advise them to make good use of this wonderful opportunities and grow to become global stars”, he said.

Chidinma whose excitement knew no bounds after being declared the winner of the show, expressed delight for being declared the eventual winner of a prize thousands of youths had sought after, saying that winning the show was the greatest thing that had happened to her.

Chidinma was however full of thanks to MTN Nigeria, sponsor of the show, for giving her the platform to achieve her dreams of being a music star.

“I am so grateful to God almighty and to MTN Nigeria for providing me this platform. This is the best moment of my life and a turning point too. All thanks to MTN for providing this turning point,” she gushed.
The MTN Project Fame Academy started with an Opening Gala on July 18, with 18 talented contestants selected from various regional auditions across West Africa.

Having been admitted into the academy, they were camped for 10 weeks and groomed in the various aspects of music, stage craft and other requirements for a professional music career.
The closing show featured various exciting performances, including popular musical artiste, Dr. Sid, as well as renditions of self-composed songs by all the Project Fame finalists, to the delight of the large studio audience.