Idoma Centenary Plus Unveils Talent Hunt for Young Stars

As part of activities marking the Idoma Centenary Plus Celebrations, organisers have launched the Idoma Talent Hunt (ITH), a major youth-focused initiative aimed at discovering and nurturing exceptional talent across Idoma land and the Diaspora.

The competition, which will feature auditions in Abuja, Lagos and Otukpo, is expected to attract hundreds of young participants in music, dance, comedy, acting, spoken word, instrumental performance and other creative disciplines.

According to the programme schedule released by the organisers, auditions will begin in Abuja on July 10 and 11, before moving to Lagos on July 24 and 25. The final round of auditions will hold in Otukpo on August 14 and 15, while the grand finale is scheduled for December 26, 2026.

Organisers said the talent hunt is designed to identify promising young talent, provide mentorship opportunities and create a platform for participants to showcase their abilities before industry professionals, investors and the wider public.

The Talent Hunt forms part of a broader youth empowerment programme under the Idoma Centenary Plus Celebrations, which also includes a three-day Youth Convention, an Economic and Innovation Summit, and the Idoma Centenary Plus Hackathon 2026.

The Youth Convention will hold from August 8 to 10 and is expected to bring together young professionals, entrepreneurs, students, innovators and community leaders for discussions on leadership, economic development and the future of the Idoma nation.

A key component of the programme is the Economic and Innovation Summit, where participants will engage experts on entrepreneurship, technology, investment opportunities and youth development.

Also lined up is the Idoma Centenary Plus Hackathon, themed “Innovating for the Future of Idoma Nation,” which is expected to attract between 200 and 250 innovators from the nine Idoma-speaking local government areas and the Diaspora.

Chairman of the Youths and Innovation Committee, Engr. Otene Godwin Emmanuel, said the programmes were designed to empower young people, promote creativity and innovation, and prepare a new generation of leaders capable of driving economic transformation in Idoma land.

Similarly, Chairman of the Idoma Centenary Lecture Committee, anchoring the Hackathon, Engr Adokwu Oche David, described the initiative as a strategic investment in the future of the Idoma nation, noting that the Centenary Celebration is not only about commemorating the past but also about building opportunities for future generations.

Organisers expressed confidence that the Talent Hunt, Youth Convention and Hackathon would provide lasting opportunities for young people while positioning Idoma land as a centre for creativity, entrepreneurship and innovation.