“The Labour Room”, Nigeria’s first reality TV show geared towards national development, has premiered in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 37 youths, christened as “Governors”, selected from every state of the federation, were unveiled as contestants for the show at the International Conference Centre on on Sunday night.
Mr Isaac Balami, the National Coordinator of Nigeria Rebirth Foundation, organisers of the event, said the initiative was to provide a platform where youths could contribute towards building a better Nigeria.
“These selected Governors representing each state of the federation and the FCT, males and females, Muslims and Christians, will be housed in a mansion, in an undisclosed location for 60 days.
“They will, during the period, analyse and x-ray the myriad issues bedeviling the Nigerian state to articulate workable, sustainable, solution-driven recommendations for reform.
“The program is designed to promote unity in our diversity, as issues to be addressed include conflict resolution, leadership, unity, economy and international perception, among others,”he said.
Balami added that during the 60-day period, past head of states, technocrats, leaders and captains of industries will visit the contestants to share idea with them.
He explained that the initiative would, among other benefits, stimulate many young entrepreneurs, create thousands of direct and indirect jobs and complement government’s effort towards promoting national unity and peace.
He noted that ‘Governors’ will be evicted or retained as the show progresses, based on decisions of independent panel of judges, support from their home states and votes from television and online audiences.
“The members of the public will be allowed to vote for the contestants of their choice, and at the end of the 60 days, four winners will emerge.
“The four of them will then be empowered with N200 million capital to set up a local-content-driven company towards contributing to national economic development,” he explained.
He added that the show was designed to be entertaining as well, and it would be aired on DSTV, STARTIMES, NTA and other television stations,with more than 200 million viewers across the globe. (NAN)