For God’s Children Who Have Talent

Praise Olorunsunyi, an undergraduate of the University of Lagos, last year’s winner of the God’s Children Got Talent (GCGT) sat on the high table with other valued organisers at the recent announcement of plans for the finale of the GCGT 2016.

She still looked like she was surprised at her elevation. Not to worry, Nkiru Olumide-Ojo one of the aces of the GCGT had a lot of nice things to say about her, not the least that Praise, a Brand Ambassador for GCGT would be one of the highlights at this year’s event with the release of her single.

On Monday, May 30 at the Eko Hotel and Suites Lagos, GCGT judges including Sarah Boulous, Founder of the Society for Performing Artistes of Nigeria (SPAN), Uti Nwachukwu, Dayo Benjamin-Laniyun, Wale Oni, Youth Maverick, Zuriel Oduwole and Jeremiah Gyang will draw their conclusions on who among the 10 contestants will succeed Praise. Their decisions will be moderated by votes from the audience to determine the winner of the N5 million star prize.

For the contestants, it has been a long and interesting journey from the last four months when the contest began with over 2,000 hopefuls who began the race. Unlike previous years, the 2016 contest was restricted to talents in the performing arts including music, skill on musical instruments, spoken word and dance.

Regina Jemide, one of the administrators of the GCGT, said it was decided that it would be unfair to put talents in visual arts up against those in the performing arts. She hinted that a separate contest may be in the works for talents in the visual arts.

Jemide also spoke on the possibility of lifting the existing restriction on the contest and opening it up for ‘all of God’s children’. The GCGT, which started from a humble beginning at the City of David (Apapa Family) parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, was later expanded to accommodate contestants from all RCCG parishes.

It now accommodates Christians from all denominations. The gospel talent hunt is focused on discovering, grooming and producing young talents and stars in various fields of artistic expressions across Nigeria, the United Kingdom, Europe and the United States of America (USA). Cobhams Asuquo will be the performing Guest artiste.