Eric, the only contestant from the Abuja auditions to make it into the Top 10, says he feels good having exited Idols West Africa at the Top 4 level, believing that God has an ultimate plan for him.

He reveals that he felt indifferent prior to the Results Show and that none of the four contestants felt confident to the point of being above leaving on Monday 14 May, when his name was called out.

Despite leaving, Eric says he loved his last two performances. With a sunny smile he says he has come to realise that the show transcends singing alone and is much more about voting.

The two performances he gave during the competition that he enjoyed the most were ‘Angel’ by Robbie Williams and ‘I Will Make Love to You’ by Boys II Men.

He disagrees with the idea that his looks were the key to his success on the show as said by his detractors, or ‘the haters’ as his fans dubbed them, “They just hate me. They say na only fine, I fine that I couldn’t sing. Though there are others who think otherwise. I can’t change my looks. That’s just me. I’m not going to apologise for anything.”

The ‘Fine Boy’ notes: “It’s about the total package and not about one thing alone. As per the good looks, I can’t see myself. It’s the people who see me well.”

Taking us away from the subject, Eric jokingly says he has added weight since being in the Idols competition – not just physically but also more fans, more friends and more phone calls (his phone doesn’t stop ringing with well wishers during the interview).

The ultimate lesson he learned from the show is to have more confidence in himself and be friendlier. He has also learned to master the art of singing on stage.

His plans for the future are to do: “Anything that will promote me; make me happy and smile and anything that will sell me locally and internationally.”