25th September, 2013
As the 12 finalists that will scavenge the Usaka Forest of Akwa Ibom State for the Gulder Ultimate Search 10 hidden treasure were announced at the final selection party held on Friday, 20 September in Lagos, the highlight of the occasion was the announcement of Chidi Mokeme as the host of this year’s show.
Mokeme returned as the anchor man for last year after taking over from erstwhile presenter, Bob Manuel Udokwu. He will once again direct the affairs of the lucky dozen inside Usaka Forest, Obot Akara local government area of Akwa Ibom state.
The Nollywood actor disclosed that he was looking forward to a thrilling time in the jungle, but also advised the contestants “to gear up for the rigorous challenges that make up the upcoming adventure, for the jungle is no place for the weak-hearted.”
This year’s GUS lucky contestants, already on their way to the jungle, are Dr. Edmond Umebuani Chibuikem, Etido Ema Ebong, Okike Dennis, Chapele Tracy and Brosu Anthony.
Others are Ifunanya Onike Michelle, Sheidu Onozare Halima, Ijeh Peter Oseleka, Ezidi Bobby Nzube and Salako Oladimeji Olukunle.
And making up the list of 12 are Mary and Martha Adeboye. The Adeboye sisters are identical twins – the first set of twins to enter the Gulder Ultimate Search jungle in the reality TV’s 10-year history.
Several sets of both identical and non-identical twins had auditioned for Gulder Ultimate Search slots in the past, but either one or both of them had been dropped at the regional selection exercises.
Speaking on the selection of the final contestants, Mr. Kufre Ekanem, Corporate Affairs Adviser, Nigerian Breweries plc, who stood in for Mr. Nicolaas Vervelde, the company’s Managing Director and CEO, congratulated the 12 lucky contestants.
“Only the brave and most determined young men and women have been selected as part of the final 12 contestants. It is worthy of note that about 42,000 Nigerians registered for this year’s show. These 12 contestants will face a series of challenges individually and collectively as a team, all in search of the 10th Symbol, but only one will emerge as the ‘Ultimate Man’ to win N10 million and a Mitsubishi Pajero 3.0L GLS AT (full option) jeep, courtesy of CFAO Motors, the official automotive partner of Gulder Ultimate Search,” he said.
At the selection party, one of Nigeria’s most talented hip-hop artistes, Wande Coal, serenaded the audience with songs from his past and upcoming albums. Popular dance group, Dance Na The Main Thing, also added excitement as they thrilled the crowd to deft dance steps. The group took the crowd down memory lane, re-enacting winning moments from the past nine seasons of Gulder Ultimate Search.
The daily highlights of GUS will be broadcast on national terrestrial and satellite TV stations from 4 to 31 October.