A 15-year-old SS3 student, Miss Mary Joseph, of Queen of Queens Girls Secondary School, Mbano in Imo, has emerged the winner of the 2023 Icons Music Reality show.
She defeated nine other contestants at the grand-finale of the 10th edition of the event, organised by Vision Africa 104.1 FM in Umuahia on Sunday.
Mary, who sang Whitney Houston’s “Look to You” and her composition on the event’s theme, “Let There Be Peace”, electrified the hall with her exceptionally sterling performance.
The obviously talented singer, who said that she aspired to become a journalist and a gospel artiste, was presented with a cheque of N500,000 cash award.
In a brief remark, she said: “I’m so excited to win and know that I’m the youngest icon among the 10 winners that this show has produced since inception.
“As a boarder, I didn’t know that I would still make it, considering that it became almost impossible for the organisers to contact me when I was shortlisted.
“Since I don’t have a cellphone, they were communicating with me through my teacher’s own.”
The keenly contested show also saw Master Victor Ngwakwe emerge as first runner-up.
He got a cash prize of N300,000, while the second runner-up, Miss Chidinma Aso, went home with N200,000.
The President of Vision Africa, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, congratulated all the contestants on their efforts and urged them not to give up on their dreams, but harness their talents and skills.
Onuoha said that the theme of the show was chosen because “where there is peace, there is development, there is fellowship and investors will come and invest”.
He adds: “we are enjoying peace in Abia and are telling people all over the world to come and join us in enjoying this peace.”
According to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) report, a brief rendition by the multiple award-winning reggae gospel artiste, Buchi, who was the special guest, added more glitz and glamour to the night. (NAN)
