VIDEO: GUS 10 Episode 1 – Dashed Dreams, Die Hards and The Determined…

The 10th instalment of Gulder Ultimate Search, Nigeria’s first 100 per cent local content reality TV show has gotten underway. Just as Chidi Mokeme returns as the Anchorman, the Usaka jungle also remains the location where this year’s searchers would have to unearth ‘The 10th Symbol.

Mokeme took viewers through the regional audition exercises which held in Owerri, Benin and Lagos. A record 40,000 youths applied to be part of the programme.

Each potential Gulder Ultimate Searcher is subjected to physical, mental and medical tests to qualify for the search. The sprinting and squatting exercises have over the years proven to be the most potent process of separating the unfit from the fit. Thousands fall by the wayside while hundreds more are eliminated after being unsuccessful in picking balls in the ‘ball dash’ games.

As usual, all contestants answer in the affirmative when asked if they can swim. For many however, when it’s time to prove it, they suddenly forget how to paddle their bodies from one end of the pool to the other.

If the tale of a harrowing experience was a criterion, Akwa Ibom’s Felicia Ukoh would have earned a spot in this year’s search. Her narration of how she had to sleep in a fast food joint in Owerri, after leaving her Akwa Ibom base late in the evening, still earned her an ‘eviction’ from this year’s search. She did not make it past the interview stage.

After four successive attempts at getting a spot on Gulder Ultimate Search, Rivers State born Samson Woka broke his arm during the swimming test. Even with a broken arm and a broken Gulder Ultimate Search 10 dream, the saddened Samson still remained upbeat. He vowed to attempt to get into Gulder Ultimate Search 11.

This year’s Ultimate Champion will drive home a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero 3.0L GLS AT (full Option) courtesy of CFAO Motors Nigeria, the official automotive partners of Gulder Ultimate Search 10. To mark the 10th anniversary of Gulder Ultimate Search, the Gulder brand has also introduced the ‘Fans Edition’ which allows viewers to participate in a virtual search from the comfort of their homes. The Ultimate Prize in the Fans Edition is a brand new Mitsubishi Pajero 3.0L GLX MT, also courtesy CFAO motors.

Catch exciting episodes of GUS 10 and learn how to participate in the Fans Edition on the following stations: African Magic (DSTV), Ebonylife TV, Realstar, Wap TV, ESBS and AKBC at 10pm; and AIT and Galaxy TV at 10:30pm.