By Joshua Olomu

Organisers of the Abuja Actors Audition Show (AAAS) have put N1 million at stake for the grand finale of the talent hunt show in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Mr Favour Johnson, Managing Director, One Voice Africa TV disclosed this on Thursday at a news conference in Abuja.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the AAAS is designed to  empower unprivileged and talented youths in realising their acting  ambition.

The audition for the two-month-show is slated to commence on April 1 and the grand finale holds on June 30, with the winner clinching the N1 million grand prize.

Johnson said the initiative was conceived to give budding talents opportunity to be mentored and launched into limelight as actors.

“Over the years,  a lot of talents, especially upcoming actors have been left undiscovered, and that is why we are providing this platform.

“Every  passionate young talent is  eligible to be part of this  monologue acting competition,  and then at the end of the day we get the winner.

“The  Abuja actors audition show is a remarkable monologue, a casting and discovery programme designed to identify annually the best new and young actors resident in Nigeria.

“This  maiden  edition is sponsored by Hotel De Alommah , venue for the show, and every week two winners will emerge   who  will qualify for the grand finale that  will take place before a cheering  audience.

“Then on Sunday evening June 30, the winner  will be announced  before a live broadcast to millions of viewers across the world.

“Our vision is to present acting talent platform that helps discover, celebrate and empower the most gifted cinematic characters and theatre practitioners for the steady growth of the Nigerian movie industry,” he said.

In his remarks, Mr Uche Okereke, Managing Director of Hotel De Alommah, lauded the initiative, adding that it was an opportunity to lift teeming Nigerian youths from the streets.

“I must commend the actors and other stakeholders who have conceived this initiative as a platform to discover and develop our talented youths.

“It is a laudable initiative and we have decided to offer our space and support as part of our Corporate Social Responsibility for Nigerians.

” There is no doubt that the film industry has created opportunities and contributed to youth employment in Nigeria, preventing them from crimes and providing income to their households,” he said.

Earlier, Emeka Rollas, President of AGN, said the show was a veritable tool to meaningfully engage young Nigerians and prevent them from indulging in unlawful activities.

Rollas, who was represented by his Special Assistant and veteran actor, Steve Eboh, said that seasoned thespians would be available to mentor the youngsters during the audition period.

“I want to appreciate and congratulate the Abuja Actors Audition Show , because when we started as young actors there was  nothing like academy, talent hunt  and other mentoring platforms.

“As I speak now, the entertainment industry, particularly the acting industry, has the highest number of employment space and on daily basis removing youths out of crime.

“Apart from the grand prize winner, we will ensure that the best five contestants get acting roles in film production projects,” he said.

NAN reports that One Voice Africa TV in collaboration with Actors Guild of Nigeria(AGN) and Hotel De Alommah are organisers of the show.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Deji Abdulwahab