By Moses Nosike

Youth development has become very important in Nigeria today for job creation, self-reliance and to reduce unemployment. This was the motive behind the just concluded Ultimate Movie Star Reality TV Show Season I where many Nigerian youths across the country were gathered for training, grooming in a bid to equip and sharpen their career for their future.

At the final stage where winners emerged, contestants shared their experiences in a media chart with newsmen.

Winner of the contest, Icon Michelle Eyo aka Mitch in her tears of joy said, “Honestly, I have a mixed feeling right now. I’m happy at this moment because I never thought I was going to make it to this point. I want to thank God for the wonderful journey of bringing me far, and also for the ultimate star for his encouragement. He had always been encouraging me especially whenever we had direct sessions. More importantly, I want to say a very big thank you to my fans, family, friends and loved ones for supporting me and guiding me to this moment. And to my able camp director, he had always been a wonderful man since the very first day I came into the House, he never stopped encouraging me. I learnt a lot from him, the lectures we had, he is a wonderful person and also to the contestants in the House, they really helped a lot. They are great competitors, I’m very happy for winning N10m worth of deals and I’m expecting more”.

1st Runner-Up, Akuroma Favour Ibitamuno aka Hadiff Satari said, “I want to thank God Almighty for bringing me this far out of many Nigerians that applied for this contest. I also want to thank my family, friends for their sacrifice in voting for me. From what I have learnt from this competition, the next thing for me is to continue pushing my career, event hosting, taking my brand to the next level, continuing with my acting career”. Today, I must confess that what I have learnt here will help me push forward. And if I have another opportunity to participate in other TV Reality Shows I will be happy to participate in Big Brother Naija. That is my next target and vision, and I know one day I will go for the audition for it and become one of the housemates in BB Naija. I want to thank my camp director, he has been a source of inspiration to me when I joined the house. Initially I was timid and shy, but he was able to bring the giant inside me. And I know where I’m standing today when it comes to acting, producing even direction”.

The 2nd Runner-up, Ibiye Worika aka AIBEE, in her joyful expression said, “I’m here to give a big shout of thanks to my fans, family, and my lovers all over the world. Yes! I came top 3 in the Ultimate Movie Star Reality TV Show Season I out of 29 contestants. It was not easy. I want to say thank you to everybody who has supported me in this house all these three weeks of our staying here. It’s not an easy job but I’m so happy. I’m so excited today. I want to advise my friends and well-wishers not to give up on yourself, believe in yourself, your dream. Whatever you think you can become in life, have a focus and you definitely will achieve it. I know I’m not going to end here, the sky is not my limit, but it’s a stepping stone and starting point for me. I have so much faith that this opportunity is not going to end here because I have many dreams inside of me to showcase to the world as well. Talents that I have learnt here will not go underground.

To our director, Mr Victory, he is a wonderful person, amazing. He taught us quite a lot, and I’m going to utilise everything I have learnt here. I’m grateful to the management”.

Camp director, Ultimate Movie Star Reality TV Show Season I, Dr. Victory Emuejekarohwo said, “It was a wonderful competition, the experience was very awesome. There were 29 contestants in the House. This had been a great opportunity to meet with them also with different character, different attitudes. Fine it’s our mission here to make sure that we groom these people from all areas. Whenever you are coming from once you step into this mansion, there is that drilling that will make you go home being better, and I believe they must have learnt something better. I also tried to make sure that they understand what life outside there looks like. It has not been an easy journey but the people that stood for this top ten, they have learnt so much and I’m proud of them. We taught them about morals, acting, directing, production, management, script writing and other things they need to know.