‘Why we run talent projects for kids’

Engr. Noah Dallaji is the President and Founder, African Children Talent Discovery Foundation. In this interview, the promoter of talent hunt projects, talks about the ‘2017 Unleash Your Talent’, its impact on African youths, and more. Excerpts:  Weekend Magazine: What is ‘ACTDF Unleash Your Talent 2017’ set to achieve? Noah Dallaji: It’s a programme aimed […]

Engr. Noah Dallaji is the President and Founder, African Children Talent Discovery Foundation. In this interview, the promoter of talent hunt projects, talks about the ‘2017 Unleash Your Talent’, its impact on African youths, and more. Excerpts: 

Weekend Magazine: What is ‘ACTDF Unleash Your Talent 2017’ set to achieve?

Noah Dallaji: It’s a programme aimed at developing and discovering talents. The primary objective is to showcase talents of young people. We are trying to see how we can integrate and incorporate them into the mainstream society for the purpose of nation building.

WM: At the maiden launch of the project, you spoke about the US, which means this initiative has an international dimension to it. Can you elaborate on that?

Dallaji: First, ACTDF is a non-profit international organisation registered with a seal at the United Nations. We have been organizing a lot of things with the UN. We have held a project in Brazil in 2012, this year we are also involved in organizing a side event at the UN General Assembly. It is actually the primary target, but we have to organize lots of programmes such as the Unleash Your Talent 2017, so that when we get to the US we have something to show in where we have projected our own people.

For example, in African Children Talent Discovery Foundation we are limiting ourselves to Nigeria. It could have been in one state, but this time around about nine states are involved from which one winner will emerge. Immediately after this we are embarking on another project that will extend to other African countries. It will be in the areas of leadership, sports and entertainment. There will also be a reality show to cap it up.  

The idea behind all these is to make sure that each of these young people are being taught the rudiments of positivity in life, as well as given hope because of the challenges we face collectively as a country. We are contributing our own quota to humanity.

WM: How many youths are going to be considered in terms of international exposure?

Dallaji: We have a winner from each of the categories, three winners from singing, acting and dance categories. Each of these winners will follow us to the United States just for exposure. Each of them will have a contract with regard to their field and they will have someone who will be there to sign them up.

WM: The grand finale of this event took place in Port Harcourt yesterday, what is the extent of involvement of the Rivers State government in this project?

Dallaji: This is a non-governmental organization. We chose Rivers State, not because they are helping or supporting us, but because we have auditioned there. Next time it could be Jigawa State or any other state. So far, nobody apart from individuals, have been supporting us. No government has stepped in. I believe that as the host, they will at some point see where they can help us.

WM: What prizes await the winners?

Dallaji: Winners will win a contract of one million naira for one year for all the three categories and some supporting cash prizes.

WM: Did they have to pay to contest?

Dallaji: Nobody paid a dime. In fact, it is our responsibility to transport them from their various destinations, to accommodate and feed them. We make sure that they are there and that they come back safely. Everything is taken care of by the NGO.

WM: So what challenges were peculiar to this particular project?

Dallaji: In a big project like this, you will always expect challenges, especially when it involves money. A lot of things happened. You may have a budget for some particular things and later discover that you need some other things to add up. It is part of the sacrifice anyway and you cannot take away some of these challenges. We had challenges but we have been able to conquer them.

WM You said that immediately after this, you are planning a reality show. Is it going to be connected to the United Nations General Assembly as well? 

Dallaji: Part of our objectives is to create a platform for young people. Our next project is something that has not been seen before because we intend to have at least forty-five housemates in different places. Fifteen persons for each category like sports, leadership and others. Each of these will stand a chance to win N30 million. For the leadership category, the winner gets a leadership scholarship into Harvard University. We intend to bring dignitaries like former Presidents of specific countries to come and visit them for mentorship.