Bayelsa Karaoke Competition: NDU Graduate, Itonyo Emerges Champion, Gets N1m Cash, Recording Contract
… as Gov. Diri insists platform is to discover talents, empower youth
A graduate of the Niger Delta University, Amassoma and an emerging music star, Mr. Samson Itonyo, is the champion of the Bayelsa Karaoke Singing Competition Season 4 concluded at the weekend in Yenagoa.
Itonyo, with a stage name, STARR, stole the show on Sunday night during the grand finale with the performance of the Jon Ogah song titled, “Uncle Suru” at the Banquet Hall, Yenagoa.
Eighty six persons applied for the audition but thirty six contestants eventually participated in the eight weeks music competition with a theme, Challenge for Prosperity.
Itonyo, received a sum of N1 million and a one year recording contract for his efforts from the organisers.
At the end of the grand finale, Oporoma-born Kekebou Dennis Believe-God known as DEN KAY emerged runners up with a prize money of Six Hundred Thousand Naira while Ogbia-born Ruth Olu Sunday, with stage name RUTHNEY came third and received the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Naira.
The initiator of the Bayelsa Karaoke Singing Competition, Mr. Joseph Emarada, a.k.a MC Okpeke, who is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Entertainment in the State, said the 8-weeks Karaoke singing competition platform was to develop music talents and build their skills for a great future.
MC Okpeke, appreciated the Governor, Senator Douye Diri, for funding the project and raising the prize money to N1mln for the champions with a one year recording contract.
The champion of the Bayelsa Karaoke Singing Competition Season 4, Igbedi-born Mr. Samson Itonyo known with stage name, STARR, is full of appreciation to the organisers and Governor Diri for giving the contestants the platform to showcase their talents.
In a message to the occasion, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, assured of his administration’s commitment to invest in the entertainment industry to boost tourism and engage the youths meaningfully.
Represented by the Commissioner for Tourism Development, Mr. John Alah, the Governor said the programme was a deliberate effort to empower the young ones, reduce social vices and discover talents in music.
The Governor who congratulated the winners of this edition, assured that the Prosperity Government would sustain the annual Karaoke competition.
Other dignitaries at the occasion include member representing Kolokuma/Opokuma Constituency Two in the State Assembly, Hon. Wisdom Fafi, his Yenagoa Constituency One counterpart, Chief Ayibanegiyefa Egba, Commissioner for Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. (Pharm) Faith Zibs, Political Adviser 2, Ebitei Tonyon, General Manager, Bayelsa State Housing and Property Development Authority, Rt. Hon. Tonye Emmanuel Isenah, Executive Secretary, Bayelsa State Tertiary Education Loans Board, Dr. Michael Amaegberi, the Registrar of the Niger Delta University, Mr. Benjamin Joffa, State PDP Women Leader, Mrs. Christy Ebelli, Chief David Alagoa, Chairman Nembe LGA, Mr. Timothy Itiedu, Chairman, Environmental Sanitation Authority and the Director-General, New Media, Dr. Kola Oredipe.
