It was a colourful ceremony last weekend at the Le’ Meridien Hotel, Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, when the winner of the popular television reality show, Gulder Ultimate Search Season 10, Dennis Okike was unveiled.
Anchored by the task master himself, Chidi Mokeme, the event which had the governor of the host state, Godswill Akpabio in attendance with members of his cabinet also witnessed the unveiling of winner of the One Day Ultimate Fans Edition in the person of Comrade Kalu Kalu. He smiled home with an SUV and a mouth watering cash prize. Number one African rapper, MI spiced up the event as he thrilled the audience with his electrifying performance.
However, elated Okike shares his experience while in the jungle, as well as what he intends to do with the N10 million prize money.
How do you feel as the winner of the 10th edition of Gulder Ultimate Search?
I have longed for this for three years. I worked very hard and I prayed to become the winner… It was not my own personal efforts, God has a hand in it, and without God, I would not get to where I am today.
While the search lasted, you suddenly became daring which was not part of you from the beginning?
My parents will always say when you are in a different environment, observe the people, and the environment very well. When I was in the jungle, I had to learn from people, and their mistakes, and not to make the same mistake. I learned from my own mistakes too. I kept pushing forward; I never allowed anything to distract me.
What was your most challenging task in the jungle?
It was the first individual task that we had. I had to go under the log. I don’t want to remember it again. It was very humiliating, but as God would have it, I was second to the last person in the task. It is just that whatever situation you find yourself in, if you think you are actually the last, you need to remain focus and be prayerful. It’s not how far, but how well!
How would you describe this year’s GUS?
Gulder Ultimate Search is a television reality show that takes place yearly. I have tried it for three years. Last year, I got to the final stage, but I was not picked. I kept on trying until I entered the jungle this year. GUS is different from other reality shows, you could see on TV how it is like. It is glaring for everyone to see. It is not artificial, it is original.
Now that you have won the show, what’s the next level for you?
It is God first. He will lead me to my next level. I have lots of ideas, just like every other young man out there. I have to allow God direct my path. Whatever He says I will take it up from there. N10 million is a lot of money, but it does not change anything. If one doesn’t plan well, one will just blow it up, but if you plan ahead of time and you let God take control, you will achieve great success.
When you found the Golden Scepter, what came to your mind?
The experience was out of this world. It was something every other contestant wanted to experience; God actually helped me to discover the Golden Scepter. There were instances I would have been evicted, but God made me to come out a winner. Finding the Golden Scepter was the climax of it all, and I realised God’s faithfulness in my life. God was actually with me all through. He actually proved that all my fasting and prayers are not in vain. Every effort I put in to get to the last stage actually came to pass. I give God the glory. It was not easy.
Who do you consider the most challenging person among the last four contestants?
The truth is, finding the Golden Scepter could have been anybody; I know Ifunanya has great ability and instinct just as I do, it could have been her. But the point is that it could be anybody.
The person I actually believe was going to find it is myself. I know myself to the extent that if I really want something, I don’t care what happens, I go ahead and do it. I told myself that if I didn’t find it, I will not forgive myself; each time I was searching, I kept on praying.
What is going to change about you now that you have N10 million and a new car?
Nothing will change about me, it is just that I am a new personality, money can change your personality. But I am still going to be the same me. Anybody can actually have the same opportunity, but it depends on what you make of it. You can get N10million and in the next six months you are nowhere, but the truth is that I already have plans for myself.
But by now you would have thought of what you want to do with the money?
The truth is that you don’t make choices in a hurry. I might decide to further my education as an engineer. But along the line, something might just come up. We have too much potential in this country. I will work and pray about it and let God decide for me. What He wants me to do that is what I will do.
What were the responses in your family when you won?
The joy in my family was out of this world. Tears of joy ran down my mom’s cheeks as well as my siblings. I am the only son and I know what will be going through their minds right now.
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