Twenty-four year old Chinedu Ubachukwu has emerged the
winner of this year’s edition of Gulder Ultimate Search. The Anambra
State indigene thus became the 11th winner of Africa’s first and longest
running reality TV show.
To attain the feat, he edged out 28-year old Emmanuel Afolabi and 29 year-old Nne Cosy Joe. After over three weeks sojourn in the jungle, only the three contestants
survived the harsh weather conditions and the arduous tasks they were
subjected to.
Incidentally, on the morning of the final search, both
Emmanuel and Cosy Joe gave Chinedu their lanterns. They told him “this
will light your path”, oblivious of the fact that that his light would
shine the brightest at the
end of the day. Both Emmanuel and Cosy talked
about reducing their load.
Their final task was to retrieve the great General’s War
helmet which according to folklore, had been hidden in the belly of the
Aguleri Forest of Anambra State.
Ironically, when the contestants commenced their journey
from Boat Landing, where they camped the previous night, Chinedu
appeared the weakest of them. He even stated that he was not 100 percent
fit; adding that if the final search for the helmet became a purely
physical task, it may be to his disadvantage.
Chinedu was the last to climb over a very high wall and
the remaining contestants insisted that he should be the first to cross
another rope ladder which was suspended between two trees because he
appeared weak.
As the search neared its end, Chinedu appeared to regain
his strength and the trio raced across a river which was at their
waist-level, towards their work stations situated at the belly of the
Aguleri forest. There they met an emissary of the Council of Elders who
adorned a red cloak. His duty was to grant them right of passage only
after correctly pieced together the tiles which they found during their
very long trek.
Cosy was the first to solve the riddle, followed by
Chinedu and then Emmanuel. They raced towards three canoes and paddled
away in different directions. Both Emmanuel and Cosy Joe appeared to
paddle their canoes aimlessly while Chinedu paddled towards a particular
direction. It turned out Chinedu rowed his canoe towards a clay pot
which was emitting fire.
At this point, Cosy Joe appeared frustrated and angrily
hit the water with his bare hands. He had no paddle. As Cosy paddled his
boat to shore and alighted on land, Emmanuel attempted to row his canoe
in Chinedu’s direction.
Chinedu raced on land and retrieved the great General’s
Helmet surrounded by three fire pots. Hence, he joins the Order of
Heroes as the 11th winner of Gulder Ultimate Search.
Chidi Mokeme, anchorman of the show, soon arrived on canoe
and congratulated Chinedu on his great feat. He said: “After 26
murderous days in the Aguleri jungle, after days and nights of pain and
sorrow; thinking about the unknown, nursing your wounds with sweat, with
blood, it is you Chinedu who made it here. It is you who has carved
your name in history. It is you who has earned the bragging rights. It
is you who has made it into the elite league of extra ordinary warriors.
By the powers conferred on me by the Council of Elders, I now pronounce
you Last Man Standing!”
Incidentally, when the relatives of the final four
contestants paid them a visit in the jungle two days earlier, it was
only Chinedu’s mother that urged him to return home as champion. Amidst
tears, Ubachukwu told her son “I know you will make me proud. Come home
with the crown.”
For his feat, Chinedu will be rewarded with N10 million
and a brand new SUV at a party fit only for royalty. Two other
contestants will also receive brand new vehicles. They are Samantha
Appi, who will drive home a brand new Ford Eco sport for emerging as the
Last Woman Standing and the winner of the Viewers’ Choice, who will go
home with a Ford Focus.
The contestants that were evicted earlier in the show
were: Otto Canon, Ikenna Emedike, Addoh Evi, Iroh Noella, Blessing
Eriata, Loretta Erijakpor, Sandra Nwagbagiro, Samantha Appi, Sharon
Robinson, Joshua Nwagboso and Iwuoha Ikenna.
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