After weeks of auditions, trainings, rehearsals and camping, 23 brilliant youths with awesome abilities in the different arts ranging from Music, Dance, Comedy and Modelling finally converged as finalists on Sunday 2nd, August 2015 at the classy Kingscourt Events Centre Ikorodu to slug it out amongst themselves to determine the most outstanding talents to be unleashed.
The platform for the contest of talents was the Grand finale of Season IV of the much-talked about grassroots talents exposition: UNLEASH Your Talents.
It was indeed a show filled with intense emotion for the 23 outstanding talents selected from three audition centres spread across Ikorodu for 4 segments of arts namely, Music, Dance, Comedy, and Modeling as families and fans of different background formed the large audience that turned out at the event to encourage their loved ones.
From the red carpet section heralding the guests into the ambience of the hall which had the touch of class from the stables of Nikimore Decorations Ltd and powerful jamz from the official DJ for UNLEASH Your Talents, DJ Tonyz Da Blastmaster, that the event was a classy affair is to say the least.
Kicking off officially at exactly 12.45pm with powerful rendition of the National Anthem by the duo of Temilola Olatunji and Mabel Paul, the audience in attendance concluded that indeed the organizers of the annual talents hunts had gone ahead with better improvement as promised at the last edition.
The event had in attendance personalities like Engr. J. Ogbonna, former CEO, Egbin Thermal Station, as Father of the day; Mrs. Grace Dogubo, MD, Gravido Fashions, Mother of the day; Otunba Fatai Olukoga, Former SA of Education to Governor Fashola administration as Chairman of event; Hon. Ayodeji Joseph, Member, Fed. House of Reps, Apapa Federal Constituency, as Special Guest of Honour; Barr. S. O. K. Shillings, Immediate past Chairman, NBA Ikorodu Branch as Chief Host while the Guest Speaker, Hon. Babajimi Benson, Member, Fed. House of Reps, Ikorodu Federal Constituency was ably represented by the DG of his political organization, Mayor Deen Sanwoola, MD, Sometin Else Fun Centre.
The Judges for this year edition were Mike Odiaka of Legendary Gold; Ojo Martins, MD, Mannerism Communications & Proprietor, Nigerian Comedy Cub; Richy Young Manny of DR Contortionists; and delectable Yoruba Nollywood actor Sheyi Ashekun.
With the clement weather and serene conducive environment amidst tight security by men of the Nigerian Police force, the show was indubitable a memorable experience as past winners of previous editions like Teetee the Ebelebe crooner who also was the Guest Performing Artiste and Clownish dance act Arugbo respectively thrilled the guests with their exciting performances.
Treating the guests to varieties of consumables was Blessing Erivona owned Benign Beeths Concepts while the iconic Intercontinental Distillers Ltd was on standby with refreshing drinks like Veleta Wine and Action Bitters.
The event’s Special Guest of Honour, Honorable Ayodeji Joseph could not contain his admiration of the initiative while addressing the audience as he commended the effort of the organizers for such a noble concept. In his words, Hon. Ayodeji expressed optimism that “a noble initiative as this which aims at encouraging our youths to be productive and useful to themselves, their families, and the nation should be given all supports and encouragement in all fronts”. Speaking further, he encouraged the organizers not to give up in their drive towards excellence and “hope that you people will also consider it necessary to come and UNLEASH our talents at Apapa in no distant time”.
The project which is a brainchild of Fanafillit Integrated Concepts enjoyed the massive support of the leading telecommunication company Airtel Nigeria who supported the project with their product, “Airtel TRYBE” specially designed for the youth population.
Also supporting the project are brands like SLOT Systems Ltd, Intercontinental Distillers Ltd, Legendary Gold Ltd, G & M Laundry, GON Ltd, 226 Makeovers, Creative catwalk Academy, Uptown Beauty World (official Beauty Partners), Nikimore Decorations Ltd (official Decors Partners), Benign Beeths Concepts (official Catering Partners), Owambe Clothings (official Clothing Partners), Arabell Bizconnect (Official Liaison Partners), Shoots Perspectives (Official Audio-visual Partners), Stoja ICT (Official ICT Partners), Kingscourt Events (Official Facility Partners), D’Jos Hotel (Official Hotel Partners), Demal Associates, Befitting Haircut Company.
Media Supports for the event include Encomium Magazine, E24-7 Magazine, Sun Newspaper, Yes Int’l Magazine, Acada Xtra Magazine, The Impact Newspaper, Oriwu Sun Newspaper, Ikorodu News, Sahara Weekly Magazine, Waves Plus Magazine, Galaxy TV, Glide Global TV, Hottestgistsinnaija, Helen Events Blogs, MyEMag, Kinggsblog, Lagos Comedy News.
The event which was ably anchored by the duo of popular comedian MC Abulo and Kemi Arewa eventually saw to the following contestants emerging at the top positions:
MUSIC- Boluwatife Amogbe (1st), Damilola Emmanuel (2nd), Omofolarin Fadaini (3rd); DANCE- Adejoke Adeyemi (1st), Hannah Cletus (2nd) Sunday Ogbonna (3rd); COMEDY- Prosper Ogidi (1st), Ademosu Ayodeji (2nd), Igudia Gabriel (3rd); MODELLING- Ibukun Benson (1st), Mabel Paul (2nd), Omolola Adebayo (3rd). They all went home with variety of prizes ranging from techno and Malata Android phones, Umbrella and other freebies by SLOT Systems, Free 3-months ICT Training courses by Demal Associates, Make-up kits by Uptown Beauty World, Free 1-year sewing services by Owambe Clothings, Free 1-year haircut services by Befitting Haircut Company, and Complete attires by Gravido Fashions.