Thread: The Niger Delta Peace Idol, reality TV show comes to town - by Chico Ejiro

... winner goes home with N2000,000m says Chico Ejiro


The man Chico Ejiro needs no introduction; at least not in this part of the world. With several decades of experience in movie production, a profession that has won him numerous rave reviews and accolades at both local and international movie events, he has again decided to venture into another aspect of entertainment. Having had a successful outing with the maiden edition of his tourism-based reality TV show- Hidden Paradise, the renowned movie producer is teaming up with other notable practitioners in the industry to put up what he refers to as “the reality TV show aptly tagged; The Niger Delta Peace Idol. In this chat, Ejiro, also popularly called Mr Perfect explains the immense benefits capable of accruing from this ambitious project, which according to him, possesses the might also to expose the huge and fascinating eco-tourist potentials of the entire Niger Delta region. Excerpts:

We learnt you have been out of town; was it in connection with your new project?
Let me quickly correct an impression here. The project you have been hearing about is not my project per se. It is an initiative of a group of movie practitioners of Niger Delta origin. I happen to be the co-ordinator of the group and my outfit, Grand Touch Pictures is producing the show. In response to your question; I and some other officials of the group were on a physical assessment tour of some states in the Niger Delta region and it’s in connection with the project quite all right.

Who is this group you are talking about?
The group is known as The Niger Delta Entertainers for Peace [NIDEP]. As I have said earlier, I am the co-ordinator while the chief scribe is Damijo Efe Young. Its membership is drawn from tested and renowned movie practitioners of Niger Delta origin. Other members include: Rosemary Ingbi, Peter Bunor, Obi Osotule, Sunny McDon, Rachael Oniga, Zeb Ejiro, Ruke Amata, Dennis Dino, Fred Amata. The group’s objective among other things is, to contribute to the restoration and sustenance of peace in the Niger Delta region. It is an open secret that youth restiveness is the major - if not the only - bane of the Niger Delta region of the nation. The reason for the restiveness is another open secret and both the affected state governments as well as the Federal Government have being doing their best to see to it that the grievances of the Niger Delta youths are addressed and a lasting solution found to the ugly happenings in the region. Being concerned Nigerians, and most importantly, being indigenes of the Niger Delta region who have being affected directly by the shortcomings on the side of the Federal Government in terms of infrastructures, as well as the actions of the youths in the region, we have resolved to come from the rear seat which we have always occupied to the front seat to make our own ‘‘little’’ contribution towards returning the Niger Delta region to its peaceful status.

How does the group hope to achieve this?
We have several activities lined up and they have been strategically designed towards achieving our set objectives. These activities have been broken down into phases. Before now, we have been holding seminars and organizing workshops for the youths. Last year we were in Warri where we had several seminars and workshops and at the end of all these, we did a movie titled: Royal Engagement. In the movie, we accommodated more than two thousand youths and they were not just happy at the end of the day, they were fulfilled because they had the opportunity of fulfilling their dreams of being actors and actresses. That was the phase one. This time around, we are kicking off with the second phase and we are starting with a reality TV show aptly called: The Niger Delta Peace Idol.

What is it all about?
The Niger Delta Peace Idol as the name implies, is a reality TV show with its major focus on youths’ empowerment and self-reliance through the use of entertainment, culture and tourism. Though the show is meant mainly for the youths, its benefits - which are numerous - will also touch those who are not youths as there are plans to use the medium to showcase the rich cultural as well as entertainment and tourism potentials of the region as alternative means of wealth and job creations than the over-dependence on the oil sector in that region.

Why a reality TV show?Having carefully brain stormed on the need for peace in the region, we also felt there was need to revamp tourism in the region. It is like a two-edged sword. We want peace to be restored and sustained but what happens in the area after peace is restored? What could be used to sustain the peace? These are some of the questions that made the group to come up with a reality TV show that will not only preach peace but also point out a very viable source of income that is being neglected in the region. The Niger Delta Peace Idol is aimed at using entertainment for the exposition of the rich cultural and tourist potentials of the Niger Delta region, with a view to empowering the youths to become self reliant, thereby creating an atmosphere devoid of restiveness and crisis.

Since you already have a tourism-based reality TV show - Hidden Paradise, what is the need for a new one?Does it mean that you can not achieve the same aims with Hidden Paradise?
Hidden Paradise is a reality TV show created by Chico Ejiro and its participation is opened to all Nigerian and foreign youths living in the country. This is not so with the Niger Delta Peace Idol. Participation in the latter is opened to youths of Niger Delta origin only and those who have lived in the region for a period of time. This particular one is specifically designed for Niger Delta and for the people of the region unlike Hidden Paradise that allows for national and international participation.

What is the concept?
It consists of 15 contestants from different ethnic backgrounds drawn from all the states in the region cohabiting for 31 days with some days spent in a mansion and others spent traversing some tourist sites in the region. We are of the opinion that the solution to the problem of youth’s restiveness in the Niger Delta region does not require an entirely political approach. Hence we are of the conviction that without being politicians or members of the present day government, we could contribute meaningfully, not just to the restoration of peace in the region, but also to making it a lasting one, while we are also bringing to the fore, the huge potentials that the region can boast of in terms of culture and tourism. At the end of the day, one winner will emerge as the Peace Idol and takes home 2000,000 Million Naira cash amongst several other gifts.

Who are your Sponsors?
As we speak now, we do not have any kind of support or sponsorship from any quarter except the broadcast collaboration we have from Delta Broadcasting Service Warri. The G.M. Mr. Willy Sowho has been so supportive.

What does the sponsor stand to gain in the end?
Everyone in Nigeria; not just only those in Niger Delta have a lot to benefit if peace is restored to the region. Companies in the region will be so relieved because security will be restored. Businesses activities that have been paralyzed will bounce back to life. Aside from these, the various states and even local governments have so much to benefit from the exposition the show will give to the various tourist sites in their areas. There is no doubt that if revamped, tourism in the region will not only make the Niger Delta region a force to be reckoned with in that sector, it will also boost foreign exchange revenue for all the states of the region and others who invest in it.