*Gets N20m cash, brand new SUV, others
Odudu Ime Otu has emerged as the ultimate craftsman of this year’s the Gulder Ultimate Search (GUS) Season 12 after beating his fellow contestants, Damola Johnson, Damilola Odedina, and Tosin Emiola in the quest to find the Akolo chest.
The 22 year-old from Akwa Ibom State emerged victorious after enduring several challenges to prove he is worthy of retrieving the iron chest of the wise craftsman named Akolo.
For a lot of viewers who followed this season’s GUS, which was tagged Age of Craftsmanship, which saw 18 warriors (contestants) go into the jungle of Ijunka on October 16 in search of the hidden treasure, Odudu cut an unassuming figure at the beginning until the later part of the show.
He did not have the puzzle-solving skills of Damola or the tact of Damilola. In fact, he seemed to just always do enough not to be evicted while staying in the shadow. It wasn’t until he won the 14th task that many began to notice him.
Destined by God to find the treasure, Odudu got into the jungle on a stroke of luck as he was voted in as one of the wildcards during the commencement of the show.
NaijaTimes reported that more than 20,000 Nigerians applied for this season’s GUS regional selection process before those who made the long list were sent to the Sea School in Apapa Lagos. 20 names were shortlisted with 16 of them confirmed. Odudu was one of the last four and was only confirmed to join the rest on the unveiling day.
Upon arrival at the jungle the first day, the show host, Toke Makinwa, asked the wildcards to identify themselves and urged them to make the best use of that opportunity.
Odudu did just that as he blended into the game making sure to give his best. He was a member of Iroko clan which also had members like Damola, Yankari, Esitima, Tobechukwu and Gerald and they were considered the strongest clan in Amorokin (Amo-Iroko-Irin) camp.
It was difficult noticing Odudu as he seemed to have been overshadowed by seemingly better contestants like Gerald was tipped as a possible winner due to his performance in the early period of the show but was one of the first to be evicted.
He, however, held his own throughout the individual tasks, making sure his team stay in the game. He began to show why he was a worthy winner during the individual tasks.
It was like all the energy, strategy, and endurance in him were let out in full bloom. While it seemed other contestants were beginning to tire, Odudu appeared just beginning the game and he maintained this level of performance till the end.
In the final episode of the show broadcast on DSTV on December 26, 2021 – Boxing Day, Odudu emerged winner of the 12th edition of the Gulder Ultimate Search after finding the chest which contains the secret of the proverbial Akolo’s secret brew.
He went home with N50 million worth of prizes that included an SUV as well as a return ticket to Dubai. In addition to this, he has become a role model for young Nigerians on the importance of taking up an opportunity and making the best use of it.
The reality show reached its peak in its last week when four warriors – Odudu, Damola, Damilola and Chidinma (last woman standing) emerged the last contestants standing in search of the great Akolo’s chest.
Prior to that Racheal Omokhafe Bello who made it to the top five was evicted as 15th contestants. She was kicked out of the survival reality show after failing the day’s task tagged Splash, which came with a N100,000 cash reward for the last man or woman standing, which was incidentally won by Odudu.
Chidinma was sent packing from the show after coming last in the day’s task that was tagged ‘The Combination of Locks’, which was won by Damola. Her eviction comes after Racheal, Esitima Edem who found three boomerangs and was one of those who made it to the top seven.
This was after the exit of Solomon Yankari, Osasere Agbonile, Jennifer Okorie, and Tosin Emiola, who were evicted from the jungle in the previous weeks, and follows after the eviction of Tobechukwu Okoye and Opeyemi Ishmael on November 21 and 22 respectively.
Gulder Ultimate Search (also called GUS) is a Nigerian reality television series created and sponsored by Nigerian Breweries to promote the Gulder Lager Beer. The first season premiered in 2004.
