By Julius Nsikak
When Akwa Ibom State created its entertainment industry, it was hailed as a gateway for young talents to shine. But years later, the silence surrounding the struggles of creatives like Christian Victor Eshiet, a visually impaired singer from Eket, exposes a troubling gap between promise and performance.
In an exclusive conversation with Explicit News Magazine, Christian shared how he has been battling against the odds, fighting to stay in a national talent competition without any form of institutional support. His story raises a haunting question: what exactly is the entertainment industry doing for those it was created to empower?
At 25, Christian Victor from Afaha Atai in Eket Local Government Area has a voice that defies his darkness. He lost his sight at the age of five, but his vision for music remained intact. Recently admitted into the University of Uyo, his passion for singing began at a tender age.
“I always wanted to express myself through music,” he told Explicit News. “I believe my music is not just to entertain but to heal the soul and bring back hope.”
His journey into music took a defining turn in 2022 when he met MC Jimmy D Young, who discovered him at the Special Education Centre where he was schooling. “He took me as a brother and friend,” Christian said, “and has been assisting me in my journey into entertainment till date.”
Today, Christian is a contestant at the De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt (DTH), one of Nigeria’s most competitive national talent platforms. For him, the experience has been nothing short of transformational.
“This is the first time I’ve received professional training in music,” he said with excitement. “The coaches are professionals, and no one makes me feel bad because of my impairment. I am carried along and respected. DTH is truly a place to be.”
But behind the applause and stage lights lies a harsh reality. Christian’s biggest challenge is not the competition itself , it’s survival.
“I don’t see anything as a big challenge because God has given us grace to overcome,” he said. “But the real struggle is financial.”
Contestants are expected to handle costumes, props, logistics, and weekly votes through a paid app subscription. For someone living without steady financial support, this has been an uphill task.
“At times, we can’t get the costumes or props we need to enhance our performance,” he lamented. “My friend and I even used our rent money to increase our voting strength. Our rent expired that same week.”
Although the organisers of DTH provide feeding and accommodation, the financial burden of staying competitive rests squarely on the contestants. In a country where disability often translates to exclusion, Christian’s experience underscores how difficult it is for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to thrive in creative industries without structured support.
When asked about support from individuals or government officials, Christian’s tone softened.
“So far, the support hasn’t been much,” he admitted. “But I appreciate people like Bishop Daniel Jack, Hon. Usenobong Akpabio, Utang Akwa Ibom, Progress Effiong, Asanolly TV, Emnywise, Nuella, and Hon. Emmanuel Eyo. They have supported us, especially in the area of votes.”
Despite these gestures, institutional backing has been non-existent.
“Utang Akwa Ibom reached out and supported me,” he said. “But as for government officials, I’ll say no. Maybe they don’t even know I’m here. I’m from Eket, and I know my chairman is entertainment-friendly — he organises Christmas events every year. I believe if he were aware of my involvement here, he would support me.”
This raises a pressing advocacy question: how can Akwa Ibom’s creative industry claim to be inclusive when talents like Christian are left to struggle silently?
Christian believes the solution lies in deliberate action.
“The government and entertainment stakeholders must be intentional about creative talent,” he said. “They should see it beyond the shores of Akwa Ibom State.”
His plea extends to both the government and the people:
“We need visibility. Helping to promote us, downloading the DTH app to vote, supporting us financially to get costumes and props , all these go a long way.”
Despite the challenges, his optimism remains unbroken.
“If I can succeed without sight, then nothing can stop me in life,” he said with quiet conviction.
Christian’s journey is more than a story of one young man’s resilience, it is a mirror reflecting the structural neglect in Akwa Ibom’s entertainment ecosystem. While the state prides itself on being a cultural hub, there remains little evidence of inclusive policies or dedicated programmes for creatives with disabilities.
For a state that once envisioned its entertainment sector as a beacon of youth empowerment, the struggles of Christian and others like him demand a re-evaluation. Talent alone cannot thrive without access, visibility, and institutional support.
Christian’s story is a reminder that inclusion is not charity, it is justice. And until the entertainment industry in Akwa Ibom becomes truly inclusive, its stage lights will continue to shine unevenly, leaving some of its brightest stars like Christian Victor in the shadows.
Meanwhile, Christian Victor continues to compete in the ongoing De9jaSpirit Talent Hunt. Supporters can vote for him by downloading the DTH App and subscribing. His resilience stands as a testament to what inclusion can achieve when society chooses to see beyond disability.
