Ripples Circles Over Nigerias Got Talent 8-year-old Winner's Prize Money

She spoke like a little charming girl with tall dreams. Her speech moved many to tears, as little Amarach Uyanne promised to use part of her N10 million prize money to assist orphanage homes, and the rest, to achieve her dream of becoming a Medical Doctor.

Date was December 9, 2012, but 10 months down the line, it appears her prize money is still in transit. The pupil of Primary 5 from Delta State, was declared winner of last years mix-genre reality show; Nigerias Got Talent sponsored by telecommunication company, Airtel.
And perhaps, each passing day, she would look at the picture of the dummy cheque, the smiles on everybodys face as they cheered her to victory, asking her mum when the actual money will get to them.

That cannot be true, said Obinna Anichie, General Manager Brand Assets, & Marketing Properties at Marketing Director Bharti Airtel International, apparently taken aback when confronted with the claim. Looking ruffled, Anichie stuttered: thats not true he repeated the statement, shaking his head in disbelief. He said he has been in Nairobi for awhile, and only just got back to Nigeria. Quickly, he summoned the Managing Director of Rapid Blue Format, Rotimi Pedro.

Pedro debunked the claim, stating that the girl received her money less than 28 days after the competition. She has been paid her money. The tradition is that we present the dummy to the winner on state and within 28 days, they are paid. Amarachi got her money less than 28 days after the grand finale. She was meant to be here today, but it would be irresponsible of anyone to pull her out of school. She performed at the Airtel Rising Stars event about two weeks back. Pedro said to The Nation at the formal unveiling of Season 2 of the show. Corroborating his position, Adaora Mbelu, Project Manager for the show, posited that Amarachi, was truly paid.

The controversy on whether or not Amarachi has been paid her prize money arose, when a family source to the dancer claimed that the show organisers are yet to redeem their pledge.