Egbe Alu Dundun has clinched the overall prize in the traditional drumming contest at the Ilorin edition of the Goldberg Excellency Tour on Sunday, February 26, 2017.
The winning band outshone four other finalists at the contest held at Forest Guest Inn, Old GRA, Ilorin and took home a cash prize of Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira. Ayanwale band came second and won One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira while Arowolo band took the third position and went home with One Hundred Thousand Naira. The fourth and fifth finalists, Egbe Omo Ayan and Ori Oye also got cash prizes of Fifty Thousand Naira each.
The event, aptly captioned ‘Ilorin Excellent Nite’, created a spectacle for residents and visitors who trooped to the venue to witness a display of creativity in traditional drumming by the five finalists who made it from the audition stage. Originality, stage craft, appearance and presentation were the criteria for selecting the winning groups who dazzled the crowd and judges during the contest.
While speaking at the prize presentation, band leader of Egbe Alu Dundun, Oladosu Babalola, expressed his delight that the Goldberg Excellency Tour stopped at Ilorin to promote local drumming talent which not only advances the culture of the Yoruba people, but also rewards talented youths in the community. “For most of us in this band, this is the first time we will be honored and rewarded with such a prize,’ he said.
Funso Ayeni, Senior Brand Manager, Regional Mainstream Brands, Nigerian Breweries Plc explained that the Excellency Tour will deepen the brand’s identification with the cultural values of the South West people. He congratulated the contestants and applauded their efforts for developing such unique skills and assured them of the brand’s support to always reward local talent. He added that the tour is scheduled for four other cities: Ado-Ekiti; Ikare Akoko; Ile Ife and Benin City.
Pop star, Adekunle Gold was on hand to thrill the excited crowd who could not have enough of his hit songs. His performance sent the crowd into a party mood before the DJ took over, hitting several climaxes as the night wore on.
The Goldberg Excellency Tour is coming on the heels of the unveiling of Goldberg Lager Beer as ‘Your Excellency’ in 2016, and it is in line with showcasing the brand and the unique credentials that position it in a class of its own, away from its peers in the market.
BIG STORY
Governor Abdulrazaq Commits To Hosting 2025 BON Awards, Makes History As First To Host Consecutive Editions [PHOTOS]
Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has announced his agreement to host the 2025 edition of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards in Ilorin, making him the first Governor in the event’s history to host it for two consecutive years. The Governor expressed his admiration for the 16th BON Awards, praising the event’s vibrant atmosphere and the engaging after-party that showcased the rich cultural and creative potential of Kwara State.
Held at the state-of-the-art Sugar Factory Film Studio in Ilorin, the BON Awards brought together top talents and stakeholders from Nigeria’s movie industry. Governor Abdulrazaq, who personally presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to Nollywood icon Kanayo O. Kanayo, commended the organizers for their professionalism and the remarkable success of the event.
“The BON Awards have shown the immense possibilities of Ilorin as a center for creativity and entertainment. I was thrilled by the energy, talent, and warmth that defined this year’s edition. The after-party further reinforced our vision of Kwara as a hub for the creative economy, tourism, and hospitality,” the Governor said.
Governor Abdulrazaq emphasized his desire for Ilorin to become the permanent venue for the BON Awards, citing the city’s unique blend of modern infrastructure, serene environment, and rich cultural heritage.
“I would be honored to host next year’s edition of the BON Awards and beyond. Ilorin is ready to offer unmatched facilities and an enabling atmosphere to support events of this magnitude. With landmark projects like the Sugar Factory Film Studio, Visual Arts Centre, and remodeled Kwara Hotel, we are poised to set a new standard for hosting creative events,” he added.
The Governor extended his appreciation to the Nollywood stars and stakeholders for their significant contributions to the Nigerian creative industry and their warm embrace of Kwara as a destination for film and entertainment.
“We invite the creative community to consider Kwara not just for future productions but also as a home for their endeavors. Together, we can build a creative hub that reflects our shared aspirations for excellence and innovation,” he concluded.
The 16th BON Awards, which featured celebrated actors such as Femi Adebayo, Mercy Aigbe, Toyin Abraham, and many others, was a resounding success, with winners and attendees alike applauding the state’s infrastructure and hospitality.
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