As he stood with thousands of other hopefuls in an audition line earlier this year, 26-year-old student Timi couldn’t have imagined in his wildest dreams that just five months, a series of dazzling performances and one unforgettable moment later, he’d be named the winner of M-NET’s first-ever IDOLS WEST AFRICA!

But that’s exactly what happened during the spectacular IDOLS WEST AFRICA FINALE at Planet One in Lagos on May 26, in a program screened on M-Net on Sunday May 27.

For the past week, thousands of IDOLS WEST AFRICA fans, who have followed the show on DStv channels M-Net and AfricaMagic, kept texting and voting online for their favourite of the show’s two remaining contestants Omawumi and Timi. Now the audience votes have been counted, and they’ve spoken definitively…with the most audience votes received (63%), the winner of the glittering reality series is Timi!

As the emotional announcement was made by series presenter Mike Majic, an approving roar went up from the crowd attending the Final, and an overwhelmed Timi took his place in the spotlight, this time as the latest winner of popular reality series franchise that has captivated the world.

Applauded for his success by series judges Dede Mabiaku, Abrewa Nana and Dan Foster and celebrity Ghanaian guest Reggie Rockstone, a clearly delighted Timi headed onstage to sing his new soon-to-be recorded single I Love You as fans cheered him on.

His win saw him triumph over fellow Final TOP TWO competitor Omawumi (who received 37% of the vote), and shared the stage with Timi on the big night along with other TOP TEN contestants Eric, Jerrilyn, Joan, Jodie, Mercy, Omodele, Temitayo and Uche.

All the TOP TEN contestants, confident and stylishly attired, took to the stage one last time to showcase their phenomenal talent. A powerful group rendition of the hit I Wanna Be The Only One by Eternal provided a fun highlight to the event while also adding to the night’s jam-packed line-up was a beautiful duet of Vanessa Williams’ You Are Everything performed by contestants Jodie and Uche.

After the show, M-Net Director of Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa Joseph Hundah praised the winner and all the contestants on IDOLS WEST AFRICA, especially the TOP TEN.

“In every song, verse and lyric, week after week, you showed audiences across Africa that sometimes dreams can come true. You lent a fresh rhythm to legendary vocals, you gave new life to well-known hits and you sang with the clear, commanding voice of a new generation even when paying tribute to generations before. We respect your work, admire your courage and wish you well. From our stage to other stages, our best wishes go with you as you head out to stand in other spotlights.”

Hundah went on to thank the show’s production teams Pan African Entertainment and Fremantle who were responsible for producing IDOLS WEST AFRICA for M-Net.

In addition he thanked the show’s headline sponsor Celtel and associate sponsor Ecobank, Sony/BMG Africa International, Dana Group Nigeria, Virgin Nigeria and Planet One while also paying special tribute to auditing firm Alexander Forbes for ensuring that the show’s voting process was fair and accurate. For Timi that voting process and his win has given him a unique platform from which to launch a music career.

He walks away with a recording contract from SONY/BMG AFRICA International, a Kia Picanto from Dana Group Nigeria, USD 10 000 from Ecobank and an ultimate viewing prize from Celtel (includes a 26 inch LCD TV, I-Pod and DStv system).

Meanwhile it wasn’t just Timi who triumphed during the IDOLS WEST AFRICA Finale.
Mr Chinedu Okehie of Port Harcourt, Nigeria won the US$ 10 000 viewers cash prize for voting!

Now with IDOLS WEST AFRICA successfully completed, M-Net turns its attention to other upcoming programming. DStv audiences can look out for the new Nigerian soap opera TINSEL on M-Net later this year, as well as the new M-Net Nigerian game show DEAL OR NO DEAL. Plus returning to M-Net screens this year is BIG BROTHER AFRICA 2.

So it’s not just Timi who wins…M-Net audiences will keep winning in 2007 with so much more engaging programming!