•Cross-section of the 20 students
After a successful tour and rigorous selection for the First Abia Secondary School Talent Hunt Show, and Movie Production facilitated by the Abia State First Lady, Odochi Mercy Orji, 20 students from the 17 Local Government Areas in Abia State have emerged.
This worth-doing-again exercise in the words of elated Nollywood comic, Charles Awurum, kicked off November 5 and was concluded with a grand finale that held at the Township Stadium, Umuahia, where over 130 students that successfully made it to the programme converged and it ended with 20 students emerging from the different Local Government Areas that make up the state.
The shortlisted students are: Mercy Dike, Ezeigbo Amarachi, Nwabuko Promise, Ogba Nkechi, Okosi Miriam, Nwaozo Ogechi Grace, Ihedoro Gospel, Nnamdi Chioma Gold, Uzoma Oyeoku Inyima, Awah Uduma Racheal, Nzeadi Peterleen, Chike Emerike, Adindu Beauty Chiamaka, Ikeh Juliet, Ukonu Chisom, Ayo Rebecca, Ekeoma Ezinne, Stand-Hope Emmanuel, Ekeka Cynthia and Emmanuel Saviour. They would be featured in a movie that will be shot in Abia State titled, My Hidden Treasure.
However, the Production Manager of Magic Lens Pictures Limited, Ahamefula Ndubuisi emphasised that those who could not be on the list of winners, should not be discouraged in the pursuit of their acting career just as he thanked God for the success of the outing that lasted for a month.
The movie production and hunting exercise which aims at harnessing, discovering and empowering young talented Abia citizens and Nigerians, who are of secondary school age at the rural areas and who due to hardship and lack of opportunity do not have the medium of showcasing their talents, could be noted as one of the pet projects of the Abia First Lady, through her Hannah May Foundation.
Following the progress of the hunt exercise, more Abia citizens have continued to laud the First Lady for extending her humanitarian hands into the showbiz industry by facilitating a programme that is aimed at discovering the unharnessed youthful talents amongst the students of the State.
In his appreciation, one of the illustrious sons of the state, Chief Emmanuel Ndubuisi, the Ijiri 1 of Uzuakoli, expressed satisfaction over what he described as true dividends of democracy that have come to touch the lives of the people at the rural communities.
“The people can feel the presence of the government, having remembered those at the grass root level. I must commend the First Lady for this kind gesture that will go a long way in motivating the students and the people in general, into developing the mindset of a better tomorrow.
“With this kind of project, it means that the government has come to partner with the people and that’s exactly why I must send this message to the First Lady for the sustenance and continuity of this programme. We are happy to see such a great development,” he expressed.
Also speaking, the Transitional Chairman of Isikwuato Local Government Area, Hon. Enyinnaya Nwosu, who is still basking in the euphoria of the successful outing, described it as the first of its kind in the history of the State.
“Your coming shows that the entire Nollywood has come to identify with our people. And that’s why we are thanking the First Lady specially for creating such programme that will create an opportunity for our people to showcase their talents. I must call it the discovering of our hidden treasures. Firstly, it is a good start, and also a good foundation for the untapped talents here. I would also want to urge her not to let this vision die, because our people need it most,” he urged.