17th January, 2014
Saxophonist Korede Odukale and comedian, Laff Doctor kept alive their hope of going home with the N10 million grand prize after beating six other contestants to the two final tickets available from episode one of the semi-final stage in the on-going Season Two of the Nigeria’s Got Talent reality show sponsored by Airtel Nigeria.
Also inching closer to the prize money are David Adekoya, a 9-year old drummer boy from Ibadan and C.I. Squad, Asaba-based dance crew, both of who emerged ahead of six others in the second episode of the semi-finals conducted at the Bamako Close studio of Optima Media Group, OMG.
Thirteen-year-old Korede came tops of his group after amassing the highest number of votes from the viewing public. With only one slot remaining, eventual runner-up, Laff Doctor found himself faced with the prospect of losing out to the 3llers, a Port Harcourt-based dance crew that had surprisingly made the top three. The moment of nervousness for the comedian came to an end when judges Yibo, Kate and Dan voted in his favour ahead.
An elated Korede, who wants to be a civil engineer, spoke on his emergence after the show.
“I’m very excited, I’m happy; I don’t know what to say. I was nervous at first, but now I have got over it and I’m very excited. When I first entered for the competition, I knew I would come this far. I also knew God was on my side and that He would help me come this far, so I had this confidence,” said the SS1 student of International School, Lagos.
Also speaking after his qualification for the finals, David expressed surprise over his choice ahead of other equally good contestants. The primary six pupil of St. Anne’s Nursery and Primary School, Ibadan said: “I am surprised that I made it to the finals. I never thought I could make it. Now, I am not afraid anymore. I am going to the finals to win the N10 million”
The C.I. Squad beat singer, Omotolani to the finals ticket after being unanimous picked by the three NGT judges. It was however, a moment of disappointment for Omotolani, who broke down uncontrollably on stage and could not utter a word when show presenter, Andre Blaize offered her the mic for comments.
The Season two of the Bharti Airtel- sponsored “Got Talent’’ reality TV show commenced on 9 October with nation-wide auditions in select cities including Abuja, Port- Harcourt, Asaba, Calabar, Enugu, Benin, Ibadan and Lagos .The semi-finals opened on December 29 with the finals expected to hold on February 8, 2014.
—Seun Bisuga