■ Happiness Udodang wins maiden edition
BY OLAMIDE BABATUNDE
An exciting expository maiden edition of the first Nigerian television reality show with a mission to reawaken the interest and unleash the potentials of tourism abundant in the country has ended with Happiness Udodang emerging the ultimate winner.
Heroes: Back to the Roots reality show set out to house 37 contestants picked from all states, including the Federal Capital Territory, laden with culture-based task as they co-habited for 60 days.
The concept is the brain child of Chinyere Ogbukagu, Head, Havilah Timeless Production, based in Jos, Plateau State. In a bid to pick up the gradual loss and fizzling passion for the cultural heritage and values pertinent to Nigeria’s socio economic development and global outlook, especially among the youth, she deemed it fit to use the tube as the appropriate channel, working with Ifeanyi Onyeabor (Big Slim), an erstwhile Nollywood director.
Beyond showcasing the strength in diversity in culture, which Nigeria is blessed with, the show spotlighted various tourism potential yet to be harnessed in various states the cast and crew visited. Alhaji Hassan Aliu, tourism officer, Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Niger state, added that logistics were provided, and the house mates visited the first bridge in Niger state and other notable tourist sites.
The aim of the show is also to preserve the Nigerian languages from becoming extinct. While interacting with the media, Technical Director, Ifeanyi, said: “We want our youth to speak at least other Nigerian languages besides their own mother tongue. We also hope to take the show further across Africa, where we can imbibe other culture. Our culture is our strength and we must be able to preserve it.”
The 37 contestants traversed Kaduna and Plateau states before moving to the camp in Niger State, where they spent 60 days under close observation and performed all the various tasks expected of them.
Ultimate winner, Happiness Udodang, described her experience thus: “It has been awesome and great, and I thank God for making me a winner. This is the kind of show we need in Nigeria, because we have many things to project. Our Culture is our pride, identity and root. A man without culture is a man without his roots. I see people going to have their weddings outside Nigeria, a country with many beautiful places around. Some people also favour wearing western attires over our colourful Ankara fabric. These are things we need to watch, because it’s not helping us as a people. We need to realize who we are, speak one voice and brandish our diversity against intolerance and disunity.”
The end of the 2014 show culminated in an event of honour to recognize individuals and institutions that contributed to a better understanding of cultural legacies in Nigeria, with great emphasis on tolerance. Governor Babangida Aliyu came up as Best Supporting Governor, Cross River State as the cleanest, Niger State as the Most Culture Friendly State, while the Best Governor was Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom.
A nationwide audition for the second edition will begin in March, 2015. According to Chinyere, it is a show for everybody and a better way to preach unity and love.
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