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 more than three weeks in the jungle, only the three contestants survived the harsh weather
conditions and the arduous tasks they were
subjected to. 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 per
cent 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, the Anchor man, 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,
Mrs. Ubachukwu told her son “I know you will
make me proud. Come home with the crown.”
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 and they both decided to hand their lanterns to Chinedu.
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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: Paulonko