*Gets scholarship, youth ambassador
By Eugene Onyeji
Indeed, great things (and, of course, great men) come in small packages. Diminutive Kingdom, winner of the recently concluded Nigerian Idol Season Six, aptly typifies this.
Kingdom was granted educational scholarship up to Masters degree level when he visited the Governor of Bayelsa State on Friday, July 16.
Governor Douye Diri made the pronouncement when he received Kingdom and his team in Government House, Yenagoa. He was also appointed Youth Ambassador in the state.
Kingdom, Francis, Akunna, Comfort, and Faith Jason were the top five contestants from the 11 who made it to the live show from the audition stages.
The competition evolved from the final 5 to the last 2 contestants – Kingdom and Francis – who battled it out last Sunday in a keenly contested affair that saw Kingdom emerge the eventual winner.
Kingdom walked away with a recording deal of a six track EP, free music video shoots for three of the songs, and over 50 million Naira worth of prizes, N30m cash and a brand new SUV.
Kingdom’s win further emphasised his musical talent, which he displayed from the auditions to the live shows, where he constantly wowed the judges with his flawless performances. Kingdom did just enough at the finale to edge out Francis who has equally been a standout contestant all season.
Diri in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Alabrah, advised youths of the state to put in their best in whatever they do in order to be successful in life.
His words: “In appreciation of the honour you have brought to the state, I hereby announce that you are on the scholarship of the Bayelsa State Government. As you finish your first degree and if you proceed for a Master degree, the scholarship would also cover your programme.
“You are also appointed as an ambassador of the youths of Bayelsa State. “Let me use this opportunity to call on youths of Bayelsa State to see Mr. Timi Kingdom Kroseide as a role model; as one who out of hard work and the grace of God has brought honour to the state. I am sure that putting yourselves in legitimate careers, you would bring honour not only to yourselves but also to your state and country.”
While appreciating Kingdom for the honour done to the state, Diri advised him to strike a balance between his academics and his career, adding that with proper education and the grace of God, he would excel in his chosen career even outside the shores of Nigeria. He also advised Kingdom to continue to use his music to glorify God in order to move to greater heights.
