Before their journey
into the rugged and swampy terrain of Usaka to search for the 10th Symbol, the
12 contestants for this year’s Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS) had a little pamper
from the luxury side of their host-state.
A visit to the newly
constructed Akwa Ibom State Government House and a farewell from Governor
Godswill Akpabio (who received them) were all they needed for the strength to
dare the Usaka jungle.
“This is the first
time that GUS will be held in the same location for a second consecutive year.
This is an uncommon decision brought about by some of the logistics Akwa Ibom
put in place as an uncommon host. I am sure you will have an uncommon
experience this time around and you will also go home with uncommon memories of
Akwa Ibom State,” the governor assured.
The governor also
congratulated the contestants for being chosen out of the thousands of hopefuls
that applied to compete on the show, remarking “I learnt that over 42,000
Nigerians registered to participate in this year’s edition of GUS, but only 12
of you were chosen. That speaks a lot about your characters and personalities.
Even though only one winner will emerge, I will refer to all of you as
champions because it takes a lot to emerge from a crowd of over 42,000 people.
It is a game and the fact that you are here means all of you are champions.”
He pledged that the
state’s security apparatuses would be deployed to ensure a hitch-free GUS 10
experience, just like the previous edition.
Addressing some of
the contestants, he congratulated Mary and Martha Adeboye on being the first
set of identical twins to participate in GUS. He jocularly inquired if the
money would be shared between them if either of them emerges as the Ultimate
Champion. But neither of the twins was willing to share, and this elicited
laughter from the Akwa Ibom State council chambers.
He also subtly
charged Etido Ema Ebong, who is of Akwa Ibom, to strive to win the Ultimate
prize. “Can you imagine if I were to hand over the prize to you? But I wish all
12 of you the best.” Reiterating that he is a fan of the show, he stated that
the low moments of GUS are evictions.
Earlier, Edem Vindah,
the corporate media and brand PR manager of Nigerian Breweries, thanked the
governor for inviting the GUS 10 delegation to the 26th anniversary celebration
of the creation of Akwa Ibom State held a day earlier.
Vindah commented: “We
are honoured by your sterling leadership qualities which have led to uncommon
transformation in the state in the last six years. Exactly one year ago, Akwa
Ibom hosted Gulder Ultimate Search 9. We were here in 2012, to receive your
blessing. You hosted us to a sumptuous dinner; you gave us unprecedented
support in terms of logistics. You asked us to come back to Akwa Ibom State. We
are back at your request. This is the first time we are returning to a
particular location back to back.”
Vindah described GUS
as a youth empowerment programme created by the Gulder brand, saying that
hidden tourist sites had been made popular by the show, which is Nigeria’s
first 100 percent local content reality TV programme.
He also seized the
opportunity to intimate the governor about the Fans Edition of GUS, which
affords viewers opportunity to participate in the show from the comfort of
their homes, and winning the grand prize of brand new Mitsubishi Pajero 3.0L
GLX MT.
The Gulder delegate
was later treated to a sumptuous dinner by Ekaette Unoma Akpabio, wife of the
governor.
This year, GUS will
take place in Usaka forest, Obot Akara Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom
State.
The daily highlights
of the search will be broadcast on national terrestrial and satellite TV
stations from October 4 to October 31, 2013.
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