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Faces of the eligible candidates admitted into MTN project fame season 8 academy
One of the most talked about reality show, MTN project fame season 8 is here again. For some weeks now, auditions have been on and the judges in their professionalism in music have finally chosen those that are eligible to be admitted in the academy.
We hereby bring you their names and their profiles :
MTN PROJECT FAME 8.0 CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
1 
Adanoritsewo Gold Tosanwumi is a Sociology graduate of Delta State University.
She started singing in secondary school. Being the youngest of 7 girls, her sisters have been her greatest critics, pushing her to be the best.
Ada admires and looks up to Christina Aguilera. She likes writing, sleeping and talking, and dislikes pretence.
As a raw talent, she looks forward to the Academy where she will be groomed into a tangible product.
Her aspirations are to win Project Fame and live an impactful life.
2 
Emmanuel Amos Anderson: Anderson is 21 years old and currently studying International Relations at IRGIB Africa University, Cotonou. Although, he is not a very outgoing person, he likes travelling and meeting new people. He particularly likes music that is deeply rooted in arts and his favourite artistes are Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith.
An experience that has hugely affected him is the demise of his sister about a year ago. It took a while to absorb the loss. He realized then the true meaning of; ‘You only live once’, and has since made a vow to do the best he can with all he has been gifted.
Anderson says his mission in the competition is to expand on his abilities, and his strategy to win is to absorb all he will be taught.
He considers his ability to tolerate people to be a major character strength.
3 
Funmilayo Comfort Arewa: 24 year old Arewa is a Lagos State University alumnus. Like many of her counterparts, the prospect of being on a platform as huge as Project Fame excites her.
The love for music has allowed her to draw inspiration from a number of artistes over the years, including include Brandy, John Legend and Alicia Keys.
Arewa says her mission in life is to change lives because she is passionate about helping people.
Her mission in the competition is to win and she believes this is achievable by having a teachable spirit.
She looks forward to working with Ms. Ige and Uncle Ben; professionals who are capable of moulding her into the extraordinary superstar she aspires to become.
4 
Sharing the stage with Lauryn Hill as a backup singer is one of the most amazing things that has happened to 20 year old Ghanaian singer – Stephen Sackitey Okletey Biko
The cool, calm and collected student of the University of Ghana, is super excited to be in Nigeria for the first time at the instance of Project Fame competition.
Biko believes the Faculty and Judges’ assessments are mostly right and he looks forward to having them groom him into a world class music product.
Asides music, he loves to play basketball and share fun times with his mother; whom he loves dearly. The unique thing about his family is their love for music. Being family oriented, he would miss his family and friends while in the Academy.
Humility sets Biko apart from others. He detests people taking advantage of him. He intends to make the best use of his stay in the Academy and emerge as the winner.
5 
Chike Osebuka Ezekpeazu: The 22-year old music enthusiast is a graduate of Computer Engineering from Covenant University, Ogun state, Nigeria.
He is from a family of six, has four amazing brothers who are equally interested in music. Safe to say music runs in the family.
Chike thinks himself an extrovert. His hobbies include cycling, going to the beach, playing video games and football. These are of course what he would miss the most while in the Academy. He will also miss his friends, siblings, favourite aunt – Uzo and babysitting his cousins.
While in the Academy, Chike hopes to learn, come out a better person and ultimately win the competition.
On his dreams and aspirations, Chike will do his best to support upcoming talents who intend to do meaningful songs in the future.
His favourite artistes are Timi Dakolo and John Legend.
6 
Deborah Ohiri: Talk about being resolute, Deborah is an embodiment of persistence and commitment. After two unsuccessful attempts to get into the Academy, she is back again this year.
Deborah has had her fair share of life challenges as an orphan. She lost her mother 15 years ago, and father, 6 years ago. She had to drop out of Yaba College of Technology, where she was studying Science & Laboratory Technology to take care of her ailing father. She is presently an undergraduate of Environmental & Resources Management at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
She is a very industrious young woman who has her hands in a couple of trades, among which is Ankara crafts. She is also a theatre artist.
Deborah’s music journey has seen some sparks – the trip she took to Germany for a music tour, representing Nigeria, and her work with A-list artistes like Orlando Julius and Omawumi represent some of them.
She cites Waje, Miriam Makeba, Angelique Kidjo, and Whitney Houston as her influences in music.
She intends to garner as much experience as possible in the competition and strongly believes that with the help of the Faculty and Judges, she will become a better person, and a better musician who will be a trend setter in the music industry.
7 
Deinde Okubajo studied Business Management at the University of Leicester.
He is 27 years old and from a family of two (him and his mum), Deinde started singing in J.S.S 1 when he ran into a chapel in a bid to escape punishment. He was then made to join the choir and voila!
His hobbies include playing American football, swimming, partying, and going to the beach. He loves beautiful women, but detests body odour and mosquitoes.
One of his commendable life achievements was his ability to embark on a weight loss journey, as he used to weigh about 135KG. Deinde just had to face it to maintain a healthy self esteem and positive outlook to life, which he of course now enjoys.
He’s got great admiration for John Legend, 2Face, and Bob Marley. He particularly loves to sing Reggae as this brings his vocal dexterity to the fore. In life, he wants to be one of the greatest artistes there is, and become a household name. He intends to sing his heart out while in the competition and make it to the finals at least.
Deinde is an outgoing, versatile and accommodating person, but gets easily ticked off when he feels he is being taken advantage of.
In his words, “While in the Academy, I might be caught flirting but not fighting and I will definitely miss my dog and clubbing with friends”.
8 
Meet Jeffrey Ufedo Akor, another 18 year old that made it to the Academy. He is a Sound Engineering graduate from the SAE Institute, Cape Town.
As the last child, he grew up listening to his siblings’ sonorous voices, and began his own musical journey at the age of 5.
At age 13, he took part in a competition with his brother, and although they didn’t win, he learnt a lot and wants to consolidate on that in the Academy.
His musical influencers are Chris Brown, Lawrence Flowers, and Kim Burell. He believes the opportunity to work with Uncle Ben and Tee-Y Mix will unveil the talent in him.
Jeff’s vocal texture stands him out in the crowd and his amazing ability to learn and understudy people is another major strength.
As a reserved young man who loves his space, he spends his leisure time playing football or recording/mixing beats for songs.
“Be attentive, watch and learn” are his watchwords and strategy to win this season’s competition.
9 
Meet 18 year-old Jennifer Chioma Amadi. She lives in Lagos, is single and seeking admission into the university.
She started singing at a very tender age, with her highpoint being the day she sang in church and got the congregation moved to tears with her ministration.
She loves to sing, read books and gist with friends. Jennifer draws music inspiration from Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
She believes the Judges and Faculty are doing a great job in grooming contestants and looks forward to meeting Bibie Brew, Uncle Ben and Mummy J.
Like the other contestants, she also desires to win Project Fame season 8, and ultimately touch lives with her music.
Her strategy for winning is to put God first and give every performance her best.
She is going to miss everything in the outside world, but being in the Academy is a better cause and she’s prepared to maximize that.
10 
Joy Chukwuma: Joy’s whimsical sense of humour is definitely hard to miss.
The 22 year old graduate of Public Administration from Madonna University is currently a Youth corps member in Rivers state where she auditioned for the competition.
Music excites her, and she has a number of memorable moments to count in her music journey so far; some of which are the day she got the best vocalist award in her University, and also the day she represented her platoon at the NYSC camp. She was able to face a huge crowd and got positive feedback, this experience not only delighted her, it also helped strengthen her resistance to stage fright.
Joy is excited about being in the competition, having waited so long to complete her tertiary education; which was her dad’s wish.
She will miss friends and family – especially her two sisters Rose and Fidel. Her goal is to win, and winning it she must!
Joy’s major influences in the music industry are TuBaba, Rihanna, and Beyonce.
11 
Amma Korantema Kumi: 26 year old Kumi has a BSc in Entomology and Wild Life from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.
As expected, her number one hobby is everything that is related to music. Asides singing, she is an ardent reader, likes to style hair and watch movies.
Unlike many who would not admit it, Kumi says she is a foodie! Food excites her, it makes her happy, and when she is feeling down, food can perform the miracle of brightening her mood.
One of her most memorable experience as a singer was the day she performed at a South African festival where all the delegates joined her, and were moved to tears as she sang.
Another event, which happened to be the anchor of her decision to pursue music, was when she was advised to take music serious after she was made to sing at a job interview.
For Kumi, her strength and uniqueness lie in the ability to perform a song well and also emote.
Making it into the Academy, she will miss her boyfriend and the freedom to do anything.
12 
Olanma Pearl Awa-Agwu is a 21 year old graduate of Foreign Languages from the University of Nigeria, NSUKKA. She is from Ohafia, Abia state, Nigeria. She is born into a close-knit family of eight – dad, mum, five siblings (her twin inclusive). They share a strong friendship bond. She is closest to her twin because; “they are sisters by chance but best friends by choice”.
Pearl and her twin sister – Ruby, wowed the regional Judges at the Port Harcourt audition. She loves to sing, dance, and write.
The young lady has got a dynamic and radical personality; she can be quiet and reserved, or very lively and outgoing. Pearl currently works for an online media company. She gets really excited by new experiences and beautiful memories while her major pet peeves are lies and wrong accusation.
Being part of her Christian fellowship choir back in University jumpstarted her music interest.
She looks forward to the vigorous Academy trainings that will polish her singing skills and help get rid of stage fright. Her strategy for winning Project Fame will be to stick with the saying; “when the going gets tough, the tough get going”.
13 
The Nigerian born Ghanaian Richie Tay started playing the guitar even before he started singing. He plays the guitar with certain unique dexterity and passion. Richie is 24 years old and lives in Accra.
He enjoys playing basket ball, swimming, and making friends.
For him, his first stage performance ever is a day to always remember, as this launched him into the world of music.
He sees the competition as a forum for equally talented singers, and he’s excited to explore the Academy. As a simple minded person, he has just one aim in life; to become a great musician.
14 
Tejiri Odjighoro: The quintessential beauty and brain; Tejiri is a first class Electrical Electronics Engineering graduate of Afe Babalola University.
She is from a unique family of 7; mostly professionals – Lawyer, Medical Doctor, Engineer etc who all love to sing.
Apart from music, Tejiri is also a passionate make up artist, and hopes to have her own make up line in the near future.
She started singing at 7, a result of listening to Westlife over a long period of time.
She looks up to musicians like Rihanna and Beyonce because she believes they are the definition of beauty, grace, and talent.
Tejiri says she is romantic, loves dogs, flowers, chocolates, and walking on the beach with someone special in her life. She does not belong to the ‘single & searching’ category.
A single experience that made her realize that life is too short to leave one’s passion unattended is the accident she had last year, in which she was the lone survivor. Hence, her mission in life is to live without fear, know her limit, exceed it, and make the best of her life.
Journalists for Good Governance Shines Searchlight on Local Government Administration
…Calls for Accountability in Nigeria’s Grassroots Governance
LAGOS, Nigeria — A civil society coalition known as Journalists for Good Governance(JGG) has intensified public debate on transparency and accountability within Nigeria’s local government system, urging media professionals, civil society actors, and citizens to hold grassroots leaders accountable.
Speaking an event in Lagos recently, the acting chairman of the society, Comrade Bunmi Obarotimi said that despite reforms such as the Supreme Court’s 2024 ruling granting financial autonomy to all 774 Local Government Areas (LGAs), systemic challenges continues to hinder effective service delivery and responsible stewardship of public funds.
“Local governments are the closest tier of government to the people — yet too often they remain the least transparent. Without civic oversight and vibrant media, promises of autonomy ring hollow.” the acting chairman said.
The Journalist for Good Governance emphasised crucial roles that journalists can play in uncovering discrepancies in council spending, flagging poor service delivery, and educating citizens on their rights. Their call comes amid wider efforts by media and civic organisations to bridge accountability gaps. The civil society initiatives had previously launched monitoring campaigns to track local government expenditures and have been quietly advocating for transparency in how public money is deployed.
The leaders of the Journalists for Good Governance (JGG) highlighted the importance of physical assessment and citizens engagement on projects to boost people’s confidence, urging local councils to adopt open data platforms and proactive information dissemination in compliance with the Freedom of Information Act. Experts say the majority of LGAs currently lack operational websites or digital portals, further limiting public scrutiny.
The Journalists for Good Governance initiative aligns with sustained advocacy by civil society groups and governance experts calling for a collective approach to strengthening democratic accountability, and has decided to engage in critical and holistic assessments of how Local Governments is being run and the impact and quality of projects they embark-on and to address deficits in transparency and public trust.
Meanwhile, some state governments have signalled support for improved community engagement. In Lagos State, authorities reiterated a commitment to enhancing community media platforms as vehicles for civic participation and accountability at the grassroots level.
The renewed spotlight on local government administration has reignited public debate over fiscal responsibility and priorities. Controversies such as the widely criticised Adamawa council chairmen’s wives trip to Istanbul — which drew public outrage for perceived misuse of public funds — underscore why watchdog groups say stronger oversight mechanisms are urgently needed at the grassroots.
Citizens and activists have welcomed the journalists’ initiative, calling for sustained media engagement that goes beyond headlines to influence policy and accountability reform.
The civic rights advocates note that real change will require robust legal frameworks, a free press, and empowered communities equipped to demand transparency at every level of governance.
As Journalists for Good Governance mobilises its members, the coming months are likely to see heightened media attention on grassroots administration — from council budgets and service delivery to the enforcement of public information laws and digital transparency initiatives.
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ANOTHER PROPHECY FULFILLMENT BY PROPHET KINGSLEY AITAFO OVER THE EXIT OF DR. KENOLY, ANNOUNCING FEBRUARY’S OPEN PROPHETIC REVIVAL
ANOTHER PROPHECY FULFILLMENT BY PROPHET KINGSLEY AITAFO OVER THE EXIT OF DR. KENOLY, ANNOUNCING FEBRUARY’S OPEN PROPHETIC REVIVAL
– Another Prophecy Fulfillment by Prophet Kingsley Aitafo Following the Passing of Ron Kenoly Ahead of February Open Prophetic Revival
– Prophet Kingsley Aitafo Records Another Prophecy Fulfillment as February Open Prophetic Revival Is Announced
In the released prophecies for 2026, renowned Nigerian cleric, Prophet Kingsley Aitafo, shared a series of revelations touching on Nigeria’s economy, global events, political transitions, natural disasters, religious transformations, and the future of world leaders.
During a special prophetic session, the prophet stated that he foresaw the departure of two world-renowned musicians in 2026 and urged the Nigerian people and the global community to pray for them.
He urged Nigerians and everyone around the globe to pray for the musicians, among other prophecies, and already gave insight concerning them.
On February 3, 2026, American gospel singer, songwriter, and worship leader Ron Kenoly passed away at the age of 81. Widely known as the “Professor of Praise,” Kenoly was celebrated for anthems such as “Majesty” and “Lift Him Up,” which have significantly influenced modern congregational worship around the world.
He was recognized as a pioneer of the contemporary praise and worship movement, leading Scripture-based worship services that became widely adopted in churches across different nations and cultures.
The development has been described by followers of Prophet Kingsley Aitafo as a confirmation of the prophecy earlier declared in the year.
Meanwhile, Prophet Kingsley Aitafo, leader and shepherd in charge of Oneness in Christ, in conjunction with CCC Living Grace Tabernacle, invites everyone to its February Open Revival. It is a prophetic service determined to change lives through miracles, healings, signs, and wonders.
It is not an ordinary service; it is another time for a divine encounter where your faith is strengthened, prayers are answered, and breakthroughs and favour are about to rain. With its theme — Jesus Christ is the same forever — the revival is promised to release the power of Jesus Christ like never before. It is a period of shift and divine encounter.
This revival service is said to hold on the 25th of February, 2026, from 5pm – 8pm at 20, Showole Street, Ewupe, Singer Sango, Ogun State.
It is a season where God is ready to reveal Himself like never before. Members of the public are invited to attend.
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE COMMENDS STATE-FEDERAL COLLABORATION IN ZAMFARA
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative (GCGMSI) has commended the Zamfara State Government for its decisive contribution to security operations through the donation of newly acquired armoured personnel carriers (APCs), surveillance drones, and other critical operational equipment to troops and security agencies in the state.
This commendation was contained in a statement signed by the Convener of the GCGMSI, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, and made available to the press.
The equipment was formally commissioned on Wednesday, February 18, by the Grand Patron of the GCGMSI and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR (rtd.), in a ceremony at the Government House, Gusau. The event was attended by senior military officers, heads of security agencies, and top officials of the Zamfara State Government.
The GCGMSI, in its statement, hailed the donation as a “transformative and timely intervention” that aligns perfectly with its core objective of advocating for and supporting tangible measures that enhance the operational capacity and welfare of Nigeria’s security forces. The Initiative praised Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration for moving beyond rhetoric to actionable, material support, describing the move as a “blueprint for state-level collaboration in national security.”
“The provision of these assets by the Zamfara State Government is a testament to visionary leadership and a profound commitment to the peace and stability of its people,” the GCGMSI statement read. “It represents the exact kind of synergistic partnership between state and federal authorities that the GCGMSI champions. This initiative will significantly close operational gaps, boost the confidence of our gallant troops, and send a strong message to criminal elements.”
Speaking at the commissioning, General Musa emphasized that sustained collaboration is indispensable in confronting the nation’s evolving security challenges. He specifically commended Governor Lawal for his proactive support.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has demonstrated exemplary leadership and an unwavering dedication to the security of Zamfara State,” the Defence Minister stated. “The provision of these armoured vehicles, surveillance drones, and other operational equipment will undoubtedly boost the morale and operational effectiveness of our troops and other security agencies on the ground. This is a commendable effort that should be emulated by others.”
The newly commissioned assets, which include multiple APCs and advanced surveillance drones, are expected to dramatically enhance the mobility, protection, intelligence-gathering, and rapid response capabilities of security forces, particularly in the state’s remote and difficult terrains where anti-banditry operations are ongoing.
In his remarks, Governor Lawal reiterated his administration’s steadfast commitment to being a reliable partner in the security architecture. He urged security agencies to deploy the new resources responsibly and effectively to safeguard lives and property.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Defence, reaffirmed its commitment to continuing and deepening such partnerships with state governments across the nation to strengthen coordination and resource allocation in the collective fight against insecurity.
The GCGMSI concluded its statement by urging other state governments to take a cue from Zamfara’s “bold and pragmatic” approach, affirming that such concrete support is vital for achieving lasting peace and security across Nigeria.
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