Meet 10 reality TV shows stars from Benue

It is a known fact that Benue State is the Talent Base of the Nation, having churned out popular stars in the creative industries.

 The state, which boasts of a number of A-List entertainers and athletes, from Ray Oche to Bongos Ikwue, 2face Idibia to Daniel Amokachi, Ogenyi Onazi to Francisca Ordega; the list is endless.

Lately, Kiddwaya, former BBNaija housemate entered the Benue State Entertainment Hall of Fame.

Unknown to many, Kiddie, who was given a royal reception,  and appointment recently is not the first Benue native to have participated in a reality show.

Today, IDOMA VOICE takes a look at some past winners and participants of reality TV shows from Benue.

Monica Ogah

Monica Ene Ogah is the first person from Northern Nigeria to have won the MTN Project Fame West Africa.

Monica won the 2011 and fourth edition of the show, flooring 16 other contestants, which included Yvonne Denobis, Ruth Ohama, Ethel Eshun and others.

Sources said Monica made spirited efforts to be recognized by then Benue State Government after her victory but all efforts hit brick walls.

 

Geoffrey Oji

Geoffrey Oji won the seventh edition of the defunct Project Fame West Africa, the second person from Benue to have achieved that feat after Monica Ogah.

He won the competition after years of consistently auditioning for the show.

 

Immaculate Patience Edache

Immaculate is talent personified. At the 2013 edition of the reality show, Project Fame, it took only Olawale Ojo to stop her from winning the grand prize.

Before her admission into the Project Fame Academy, Immaculate had also featured on two reality shows – Nigerian Idol and Peak Talent Show and came close to winning one.

 

Bitto Bryan Arumun

Bitto was a contestant in the 2018 edition of the Big Brother Naija reality TV show.

The 28-year-old was among the second set of people to be evicted in 2018 edition tagged “Double Wahala.”

Following his eviction, he was not given any welcome party or celebrated by his people.

Bitto is a graduate of the University of Calabar in Cross River State. He holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.), in Geology and Earth Science. Bitto is the former Mr. Malabo Republic. He won the crown in 2014.

 

Chris Ade

Chris is a talented gospel music minister who caught the attention of music buffs following his brilliant outing in the Project Fame West Africa, Season 5, emerging 4th runner up in the grand finale.

He was arguably the strongest vocalist in the music reality show and undoubtedly the judges and academy’s favourite.

 

Paul Chris

Ogbadibo-born Paul Chris Aba was one of the finalists in the now rested Star Quest in 2012.

He was a member of the Soul Rhythm Band, which emerged second runner-up in the competition.

He’s from Orokam and graduated from the Benue State University, Makurdi.

He’s a talented and amazing singer, instrumentalist and songwriter.

 

Naomi Oboyi

Unknown to many, talented singer, writer and PR expert, Naomi Oboyi, famously known as Naomi De Diva, was among the finalists in the 2012 edition of the now defunct Star Quest.

Oboyi was part of Soul Rhythm band, adjudged as the most creative group, which came third in the competition.

The talented singer-cum-OAP has a couple of songs to her credit. Her debut album, Beautified by Grace hit music shelves in 2019.

Joseph Udeh

Joseph, famously known as MC Smart was one of the contestants in the 2014 edition of Next Movie Star. The young man was fans’ favourite in the show.

Although he lost to Ghana’s Ron Solomon Maxwell, he was regarded as the most lively and creative contestant in the house that season.

The former Benue State University student has carved a niche for himself in the broadcast sub-sector of the media industry.

Jon Ogah

Jon Ogah with the real name John Onjefu Ogah won the first ever edition of GLO Naija Sing.

Ogah scored the deal of his career, shooting to superstardom afterwards, and even appearing as a fake housemate on then reality show ‘Big Brother Naija.’

Last year, he collaborated with music couple, Adekunle Gold and Simi on the track ‘Uncle Suru.’

Terseer Waya

Terseer Waye, also known as Kiddwaya is a young Nigerian entrepreneur and son of popular Benue State-born billionaire Terry Waya.

He is currently the rave of the moment in the state following his outing in the just-concluded Big Brother Naija reality TV show tagged Lockdown.

He didn’t make it to the final stage of the edition but was given a royal homecoming reception by the state government and people of Benue State.

The state government even rewarded him with cash and appointed him an ambassador of one of its agencies.

This action has triggered a statewide debate with many raising eyebrows on why other past reality TV shows winners and participants were not celebrated.

The question still remains unanswered.

Ichemeta Ochoga

Making the 11th person on the list today is beautiful Ichemeta Ochoga, who was the first evictee from the Big Brother Nigeria reality show, 2006 edition. She was youngest contestant at the time.

Ichemeta Ochoche nee Ichemeta Ochoga.
Now married, Ichemeta is currently based in Markurdi, Benue State where she practices as a teacher and preacher of the gospel.