After two months of rigorous drills, tensions and excitements, Akeem Okiki from Osogbo in Osun State has emerged winner of the third edition of Goldberg Fuji T’o Bam music talent activation that had over ten thousand consumers in attendance at the Trans Amusement park in Ibadan, Oyo State. Okiki – whose stage crafts and renditions swept the judges off their feet. He now wears the crown “The WURA 1 of Fuji T’o Bam” which comes with a cash reward of N750, 000.
Saheed Ishola, from Ota, grabbed N350, 000 as the first runners up prize, Opeyemi Akanbi, Arole Currency from Ibadan went home with N250, 000 as the second runner up after their battle of wits where other contestants also tested their mettle.
The five contestants who took part in the finals were, Akeem Okiki, Ishola Saheed, Yusuf Kehinde ( Ejire Performer), Idris Aloma and Opeyemi Akanbi (Arole Currency). The night kicked-off with a rendition from the praise singer “Ewi”…singing the praise of Goldberg (The Befitting Beer). Afterwards the contestants took turns displaying their mastery of various Fuji theatrics to the admiration of the judges and the audience that thronged the venue of the event.
The high point of the event was the impressive performance by the International Fuji icons, Alhaji King Wasiu Ayinde, K1 and Alhaji Abass Akande Obesere aka PK1 who thrilled the fans with various hit songs to the admiration of the crowd who seem to want more from the two giants.
The night was also a gathering of the best of celebrities and respected Yoruba movie actors and comedians like Odunlade Adekola who acted as compere for the entire show; Sanyeri was a judge. Mr. Latin Bolaji Amusan and Kamilu Kompo, Adekola Tijani also made powerful appearances which gave the guests and fans the best brand experience. Antenna, the winner of the first edition of Fuji T’o Bam and other Ibadan based Fuji icons lent their full support to the event.
It would be recalled that Public Affairs Adviser Nigerian Breweries Plc, Kufre Ekanem had during the preliminary stages expressed great satisfaction over the huge turn-out of Fuji lovers and artistes. While explaining the rationale behind Goldberg’s Fuji T’o Bam initiative, he said, “Goldberg has delivered on its promises of staging the biggest Fuji Concerts you can ever think of. It was a night of pure and nothing but FAAJI UNLIMITED. This massive crowd confirms the relevance of the platform, and the need to continue to connect and share consumer’s interest in a more compelling way.”
He also added that It’s our believe that as the music activation continues, Fuji T’o Bam will continue to discover more Fuji talents that will fit into the shoes of icons like KWAM1, Pasuma, SaheedOsupa and others.”
In his own comments, Brand Manager Goldberg, Bassey Mfon, stated that the brand believes that Nigeria has so much talents as shown in the performances of the contestants. “We will as a brand, continue to connect with our consumers, understand them and deliver to them undiluted brand experience.” He further disclosed that Fuji T’o Bam will continue to get bigger and reach out to more people in more cities in the next edition.
Akeem Okiki, who was amazed by the accolades of the fans fair in celebrating his new found fame, expressed happiness for winning the coveted talent hunt crown. “I really feel very happy today” he said, “It has been God all along. The competition was very challenging because there were many good Fuji talents who participated from the audition through to the final stage. I am delighted to have emerged as “The Wura 1 of Fuji T’o Bam 2015”. I will continue to represent Goldberg as an ambassador at every level.”
He added that he will continue to work on his act as he prepares for the future which will be worth all the energy expended in participating in the competition.
Fuji T’o Bam is an indigenous music activation platform of Goldberg which has in the last two editions led to the discovery of budding Fuji talents.