Etisalat Nigeria was last week announced as sponsor of the first-of-its-kind reality model show in Africa, Africa’s Next Top Model as the premiere of season one started on Sunday, November 10th, 2013. The show will be aired on Africa Magic Entertainment Channel 151 on DSTV at 18:00 WAT (19:00 CAT/20:00 EAT).
Africa’s Next Top Model is a television franchise format of America’s Next Top Model, created by American Supermodel, Tyra Banks, and will be hosted by international supermodel, Oluchi. Set in Cape Town, South Africa, the show features 12 girls from different parts of Africa competing for a chance to win the grand prize of a 1-year modeling contract with New York-based modeling agency, DNA, a product endorsement deal and a cash prize of $50,000.
Director, Brands and Communication at Etisalat Nigeria, Enitan Denloye while speaking on the company’s participation in the show said it was a delight for Etisalat to be a part of a competition that promotes African beauty on an international platform. “The Africa’s Next Top Model reality search competition is uniquely different, in that it beams its searchlight on eight countries in Africa, giving an opportunity to a lot of young African supermodel hopefuls. We believe that this competition will discover and groom these girls that will enable them compete with their international counterparts,” he said.
On Etisalat’s role in the competition and general proposition to the youth market, Thani said that the company is keeping true to its commitment of nurturing and celebrating talents. “At Etisalat we are distinguished by our innovative and unique approach to our business. We believe that our growth in the last five years is a testament to this. We will continually delight our customers with our world class standard products and services as well as our support of laudable initiatives such as the ANTM,” he said.
The show features Aamito (Uganda), Cheandre (South Africa), Joyce (Nigeria), Marwa (Tunisia), Michaela (Angola), Michelle (South Africa), Omowunmi (Nigeria), Opeyemi (Nigeria), Rhulani (South Africa), Roselyn (Ghana), Safira (Mozambique) and Steffi (Kenya) as they strive to prove they have what it takes to make it in the world of modeling.