Despite losing his right leg in a car accident years ago, Nwanbu Nwanem has danced his way into the hearts of many especially in South East Nigeria. Performing at the Gofi Premium Lounge, venue of the Legend Extra Stout Taste and Tell in-bar activation in Awka, Anambra State recently, Nwanem entertained lovers of Legend who had gathered for the unique consumer reward activation. He hopped and leapt, turned and twisted as admirers and well-wishers in appreciation showered him with praises and cash.
Popularly known as Ikim-The Wounded Messiah, he performed alongside Pammy Udu Bunch, a local cultural troupe.
According to him, a devastating car accident severely affected his leg during his childhood days prompting an amputation. Born into poverty with no money for school fees, he said he took to dancing after receiving instructions in a dream.
“My parents did not have money to send me to school but after the accident, I saw myself dancing in a dream in a big way. From that day, I went into dancing. I have been to Kaduna, Lagos, Jos and even Ghana to dance and I thank God for that,” he said.
Nwanem, who held the audience spellbound as he swung swiftly from one end of the podium to the other, said since he started dancing several years ago, many have supported and encouraged him in various ways to turn what would have been a misfortune into a goldmine.
“I can’t remember exactly when I started but many people have supported me. Initially I thought my world had ended when the accident happened but I thank God that I decided to move forward and my life is better today,” he explained.
Aside the one-legged wonder, it was a big night for Unegbu Chigbo, a 24-year-old final year psychology student of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka who won for himself a generating set and Chinedu Okonkwo, a businessman and winner of a brand new LED Television. Also Ikemefuna Onwudijo, a civil servant and winner of a brand new refrigerator.
While participating in the ‘Taste and Tell’ competition, the three were able to correctly identify Legend Extra Stout from three unmarked glasses containing different stout drinks.
Emmanuel Agu, The Marketing Manager Lager and Stout-Nigerian Breweries Plc, who said that the event was organised to create fun and excitement for Legend consumers, explained that the brand “proudly carries the tag of being the Real Deal”.
