3rd February, 2019
Jennifer Okundia
During the just concluded BBNaija 2019 reality show auditions which took place in the federation from 1st-2nd of February, intending houmates did not return without drama and mixed feelings.
Amidst the crowd in the audition centres which include: Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Ibadan, Benin and Warri, Lagos experienced large turn out. some came as early as 4am on Friday to secure a good spot while some others had been at the venue since Thursday midnight.
February 2nd 2019 which was the day 2 of the event saw the contestants being put in two locations as D’podium couldn’t contain everyone. The Aromire, Adeniyi Jones location in Lagos however did not go as expected by some of the participants PM News spoke to.
At the Dover Royal 2nd location, One lady identified as Akiishi Christiana says she was auditioned but didn’t come out successful. she disclosed that the judge who interviewed her made her feel like Nigerians do not know what they are doing. Akiishi revealed that she got her questions right and when there was nothing left to hold her back, the female judge told her she was not bold enough during the process because according to Christiana, she shed a tear and that showed she was weak. she further implored the organisers to apply a better approach next year.
Usman Mohammed another participant said the space is too small and a bigger location should be used next time and the audition was supposed to kick off at 7am but it began by 7pm and that action was really inhumane coming from Big Brother Naija.
Another BBNaija hopeful – Olayisoye Adepoju who seemed really eager to share his experiences so far said he will try again in 2019 after being rejected. He also stated that there are criterias that the judges are looking out for and once a person does not fit into that, they let the person off the hook.
Tama Nisa, a lady who also auditioned after waiting for what seemed like forever, explained that the process was overwhelming but she is hopeful still.
We can report that the last day of the audition was partly filled with complaints as so many people were not allowed into the event centre by the security officials who were practically rude to some intending participants. PMNews was also not allowed to interview anyone. People kept on coming but they had started to deny people access into D’podium location before 2pm on Friday.
While some persons could only recount their bitter sweet experience, a guy proposed to his bae during the exercise and she said yes.
Pictures: Ayodele Efunla