Posthumous Honour For Sam Loco

The late Sam Loco Efe Airtel's Nigeria's Got Talent Season One winner, Miss Amarachi Uyanne, also got an award for excellence from the Oba of Benin, for her performance in the just concluded reality TV talent hunt show. The young violinist and dancer stunned Nigerians when she outclassed 50 other contestants to emerge the winner of the maiden edition of the Got Talent competition sponsored by Airtel Nigeria. The honour from the Oba of Benin comes weeks after the show's sponsor, Airtel Nigeria treated the youngster to a grand reception preceded by a tour of select media houses in Lagos. The monarch, who personally presided over the awards presentation ceremony in his palace in Benin City, said the recognition was to encourage excellence among the subjects of the kingdom in their various fields. Speaking on the development, Airtel Nigeria's Chief Marketing Officer, Olu Akanmu said the honour was well deserved by the youngster and praised the Oba for recognising the young talent, adding that such gesture could spur Amarachi to the world stage in the nearest future. Other recipients of the Oba's honours were the Vice-Chancellor, University of Benin, Professor Osayuki Godwin Oshodin, for Academic Excellence and Professor Osato Frank Giwa-Osagie of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, for his outstanding performance in the health sector, especially in obstetrics and gynaecology. Also the duo of Sir David Osunde and Pa Joseph Alufa Igbinovia were honoured for replicating the Idia Mask sculpture, a masterpiece that was the symbol of FESTAC 77. Other winners were Sonny Irabor, a media icon; Justice Efe Ikponmwosa, and Chief Oyuki Obaseki, former chairman of the Nigerian Premier League and Ohe of Benin kingdom, for his contribution to sports development in the year.