The 29-year-old geology graduate of the
University of Port Harcourt and native of Udi,
Enugu State, was declared winner at the
grand finale of the show held at Dream
Studios, Bamako Street, Omole, Lagos. She
beat the two other finalists Ethel Eshun and
Vicky Gomoti in the last round of voting to
win Globacom’s N24 million cash prize and a
recording contract with Sony Music.
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B efore the announcement of the results, the
expectation of audience, judges and
contestants alike had built to a crescendo as
everybody waited anxiously to find out who
the first X Factor winner in Africa
would be.
The suspense was to last even longer as Glo
ambassador from Ghana, Efya, came on stage
for a wonderful performance that had the
audience applauding rapturously. After her
performance, X Factor host, Toolz, turned to
the judges and sought to know how they felt
about the night.
Reggie answered first, “I’m so excited that I
brought my wife with me so we can both be
excited together. It’s been a beautiful
journey; I can’t wait to see who will walk
away with the money.”
According to MI, “It’s been incredible. The
crew, my fellow judges and the contestants
have all been wonderful.”
Toolz asked Onyeka, “Who do you think will
be the winner tonight?”
Onyeka answered with a smile, “I was so
excited, I brought my Bible along with me. At
this stage, I think the last three contestants
have all won.”
Shortly afterwards, 2008 UK X Factor winner,
delectable Alexandra Burke, got the hall on
its feet with a resounding applause for a great
performance of her hit track, Halleluyah. She
was later joined on stage
by the three finalists, DJ Switch, Eshun and
Vicky as they all spectacularly chorused the
song together.
“Shake” and “Ada Ada” crooner, Flavour, came
onstage next to thrill guests with a
scintillating performance. He proved why he
was a crowd favourite as the audience rose to
their feet to dance along with him. After
Flavour’s performance, the contestants came
out to sing the songs they sang at the
audition stage.
Vicky led the performances, and she got a
standing ovation from the three judges. “How
did your daughter perform?” Toolz inquired
of Onyeka. “She has grown from a pupa to a
butterfly. She sang with confidence and inner
joy. I had goose pimples just listening to her.
I have no doubt that she’ll make it. May God
bless you.”
Reggie added, “You just proved to us that our
work has not been in vain,” while MI said,
“Wow, Vicky is just so amazing. You are
absolutely stunning. The way you’re radiating
joy; don’t keep it to yourself, please, share it
with the world.”
DJ Switch came up next, garbed in a tight
black trouser with black top to match. Her
entry engendered a boisterous response from
the crowd with her performance of Jay Z’s
“Forever Young,” which was heavily
spiced up with raps. In a mild drama, the
contestant switched over backwards,
precariously clutching the mic as she raps.
Her stagecraft even drew a wider applause
when she stepped down the stage to hug her
mother, while still singing without losing
concentration.
Reacting to her performance, MI said,
“Switch, people scream when you perform
because you inspire us all. When you came
for the audition, I felt you tried. I had
already made up my mind that you wouldn’t
make
it to my final three mentees, but you changed
my mind. Everybody here needs to know that
no matter what people say about you, it
doesn’t matter as long as you fight.” he
concluded. Reggie gushed, “DJ Switch, you are
inspirational; you excite me. My children love
you; everybody loves you!” As for Onyeka,
she opined, “Unlike the other judges, the
moment you stepped on stage, I knew you
had it.”
When asked why she should win the X Factor,
Switch simply said: “I work hard; I pray
hard.”
Eshun was the next to perform, and she
pulled out all the stops as she shimmered in
her green attire. “One of the best things on
this program is that I got to mentor Vicky and
Eshun. She is exquisite, beautiful, gorgeous
and talented. She walks onto the stage and
lights it up. You have something that is very
special. No matter what happens here,
youhave me permanently in your camp. You
will take the world by storm!” Onyeka
declared.
MI said, “You are a perfect example of what
this show is all about. You epitomises
everything X Factor stands for. You’ve been
one of my favourites.” Her Ghanaian
compatriot, Reggie, said, “My story with my
sister is different. We come from the same
place and people expect me to give her a
pass. It often seems as if I’m tough on you,
but look at where you stand now. You have
done well!”
On why she thinks she should win the
competition, Eshun said, “The potter in the
Bible goes around looking for clay to mold
them into the type of pots that he wants. X
Factor came looking for me; found me and I
am glad. These past weeks, I have gone
through moulding, and now, I’m ready.”
Then the climax! The contestants held hands
together as they anticipated the results that
would change the lives of one of them
forever.
As Toolz invited the representative from
Alexandra Forbes to the stage, she lingered a
bit, teasing the audience as she twirled the
green envelope containing the results in her
hands.
“The first winner of the Glo X Factor West
Africa is DJ Switch!” she announced as the
crowd erupted in jubilation.
“How do you feel?” Toolz asked Eshum. She
answered, “Fortunately, the Lord did what He
wanted to do, and I’m happy for that.”
Vicky said, “I want to thank Glo for this
platform, and I think DJ Switch deserved to
win.”
Thereafter, DJ Switch performed her single,
“Safe Landing” which is billed for release next
week.
The first runner-up was Eshun and she got
the sum of N1m for her efforts, while Vicky,
the second runner-up, also got N1m.
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