IN most societies of the world, celebrations and great feasting always follow great achievements. And so on the 2nd of November, 2013 the stage was set, the drums rolled out and the canons ready to boom. From far and near, people came; kings, queens, royalties and families and friends, gaily-attired, they gathered to celebrate their own.
The venue was Akwa Ibom State-owned prestigious Le Meridian Hotel and Golf Resort. The ambiance was resplendent, fit only for royal ceremonies. Cameras clicked as dignitary after dignitary, entertainment personalities, captains of industries stepped on the red carpet. The buffet had impressive display of assorted delicacies and more than enough chilled bottles and cans of the ultimate beer.
The occasion was the victorious return of the twelve warriors who had spent 28 days in the jungle of Usaka where they battled and conquered the rough terrain and harsh weather elements in search of the 10th Symbol. It also doubled as the grand finale of the 10th anniversary of Nigeria’s longest running realty TV show, The Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS). 29-year-old graduate of Electronics Engineering and Arochukwu (in Abia State)-born Dennis Okike had returned with the 10th Symbol while 21-year-old fragile-looking Ifunanya Onike stood beside him as the last woman standing; great feats which call for celebrations fit only for kings.
Gradually, the hall filled to its capacity as guest after guest graciously made their way to their seats and settled for what turned out to be an evening of pure fun and fanfare. In attendance were the host governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio; his deputy, Dame Valerie Ebi and some members of his cabinet. Dr Raymond Dokpesi, Chairman DAAR Communications, Nicolaas Vervelde, Managing Director, Walter Drenth, Marketing Director, Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviserand Emmanuel Agu, Marketing Manager, Gulder, Legend and Life – all of Nigerian Breweries Plc were also in attendance. The august event was compered by versatile ace Nollywood actor, Chidi Mokeme, the anchor man for the search in the jungle; and he did justice to it.
In his opening remark, Vervelde restated the aim and objective behind the GUS concept. “As part of the company’s commitment to youth development, Gulder launched the Gulder Ultimate Search with the objective of engaging the youths and provide them with opportunities to demonstrate their intellect, strengths, ambitions, courage and success in a TV show,” Vervelde offered. He subsequently took guests through the captivating journey of the Gulder Ultimate Search beginning from the first season held in Snake Island Lagos and concluded that Season 10 has turned out to be the best so far.
The occasion also gave guests the opportunity to relive the story behind the 10th Symbol and how some warriors fell at different stages during the search. The 10th Symbol, an African mystical marking on a gold plate, was missing for nine years. But last year while the warriors searched for the Gate Keepers fortune in Usaka, the Council of Elders discovered trails that eventually led to the 10th Symbol. And to go in search of the 10th Symbol, 12 best warriors were selected from over 47, 000 individuals who sought to be part of the search. The 12 warriors were divided into the Spear Tribe and Sword Tribe, and guided by the Gate Keepers, the tribes battled against each other. Eight victorious warriors then formed the Hammer Tribe, the tribe that moved on to search and find the Sceptre. The warrior who returned with the 10th Symbol is the tenth Ultimate Hero.
Over the years, the GUS has become a darling TV programme for countless TV viewers across Nigeria and indeed Africa who have loyally followed the show from the outset. “It is in view of this that we decided to reward the teeming fans of GUS through the Fans’ Edition. The winner of the Fans’ Edition would drive home a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero SUV,” Vervelde offered again. Kalu Kalu Nwalugwe, an undergraduate of Industrial Mathematics, won this prize and was celebrated alongside the jungle warriors.
On hand from CFAO Motors, official automobile partners for GUS 10, was Melvin Chandelle, General Manager. Chandelle who commended the courage and bravery of the 12 warriors noted that Nigerian Breweries and CFAO Motors have come a long way in partnerships. According to him, the GUS Season 10 provided CFAO the much needed opportunity to showcase some of their new products to millions of Nigerians.
Worthy of note for the GUS Season 10 was the ease with which contestants were moved into and movement of the crew members within the rough and rugged terrain of Usaka jungle, said to not have seen four wheels of a vehicle. These were made possible by the defiant 4 X 4 Mitsubishi L200 trucks from CFAO Motors. Chandelle ended by imploring Nigerians to drink nothing but Gulder and drive nothing but CFAO motors.
On his part, Gov. Akpabio thanked Nigerian Breweries Plc for staging a second consecutive edition of GUS in Usaka. He likened the treasure search in GUS to Nigeria’s search for peace and prosperity.
He further described Nigerian Breweries Plc. as an epitome of good corporate citizenship for coming up with and sustaining the reality TV show. He described it as a youth development initiative. The governor urged other corporate entities to borrow a leaf from the NB Plc. as government alone cannot do it all.
Gov. Akpabio noted: “I urge corporate entities that benefit from doing business in Nigeria to emulate Nigerian Breweries and give back to society in meaningful ways.”
He congratulated the contestants and Dennis in particular for his resilience in finding the treasure and advised him to remain a role model for younger ones.
In the GUS, every warrior is a winner and this was once again demonstrated when the Ultimate Hero 10 and his fellow warriors were revealed to the public. One after the other, in their order of eviction, the warriors made their ways to the stage beginning with Emma Etido, the very first victim of eviction. For her effort, Emma got N1.1million. She was followed by Peter Ijeh who got N1.2million for participating. Mary Adeboye was the third warrior to lose her place in the quest and for her effort she got N1.3million reward. Next was Halima Sheidu, and for her effort she was rewarded with N1.4million. Anthony Brosu and Martha Adeboye left the jungle the same day for performing woefully at a task, yet for their effort each of them went home with N1.5million. Tracy Chapele was to follow and got N1.6million for her effort. Ever-smiling Olukunle Salako got evicted for his abysmal performance at a puzzle task, notwithstanding, he was rewarded with N1.7million. Just when everyone thought Ndudi Nzube, aka Bobby, had stepped up his game, he lost out just before the final search, placing third position with N1.8million to show for it.
Contrary to wide expectations, Edmund Umeabuani, aka the good Doctor, failed to pick up the grand prize, coming second with Ifunanya Onike who expectedly emerged the last girl standing. For their efforts Edmund and Ifunanya were each rewarded with N2.5million while Ifunanya got an additional N1million for her last girl standing position.
As a way of encouraging the warriors, Governor Akpabio added N.5million to each warrior’s prize money
The epoch of the event was the crowning of the latest Ultimate Hero, Dennis Okike, and on ground to initiate him into the order of Heroes were Ezugo Ezeagwu, Ultimate Man 1, Lucan Chamberlin, Ultimate Man 2, Dominc Mudabai, Ultimate Man 4 and Pascal Eromosele, Ultimate Man 9 who transferred the crown to Dennis.
It was celebration galore afterwards as African rapper No 1 crooner, MI Abaga, took the stage and got everybody dancing.
Reacting to his victory, Dennis could only attribute it all to the grace of God in his life. “I couldn’t have done it all by my strength, it was all by the grace of God in my life. While we were in the water searching, anybody could have found the sceptre,” he explained. On what he plans to do with the money, Dennis said there are many things he could do with the money but maintained he has not yet decided which one it would be.
The organisers promised more and a better show next year.
