THE GRAND FINALE
It was a mind-blowing shocker when the winner of the LISNaija 2022 was announced. Let’s rewind a little bit. It all started with 2000 contestants thereabout. After 5 series of auditions, 25 finalists were selected to compete at the grand finale which took place at the Muson centre Lagos State, Nigeria. The contestants from different background and locations all convened in Lagos to compete for the ultimate prize.
After the first round of the competition, 4 contestants were selected on the ratio of 70:30, ie 70% judges’ verdict and 30% vote counts. However, the judges had a wild card option to bring back one of the contestants which was 100% based on merit. The 4 contestants selected were Stella Joel, Emmanuel Oluwasona, Olawale Oluwaseyi, Israel Tunmise, and the wild card selected by the judges was Andrew Udohokon. All the contestants were at their best performance, no doubt the judges found it really hard pick their choice.
While the vote count was going on, the judges putting their scores together, some of our lined up artists started to perform and entertain the audience with alluring melodic music, you couldn’t help but to dance your way to the front stage. The first performing guest artist was Demilade also known as the Bold One, he was the 2nd runner up contestant of the LIS Season 7. The 2nd performing act was Blessing Aijeh, the winner of LIS S7, followed by Oluwatobiloba – the winner of LIS Season 8. Thereafter, we had renown guest artists such as Bidemi Olaoba, Bukola Bekes, and Eben. Our audience worshiped and danced profusely.
At the final round of the competition, Olawale Oluwaseyi came with a volatile medley to show her vocal dexterity, and dynamics and she finished awesomely as the 4th runner up of the event.
Israel Tunmise, a rare gem of a saxophonist, came up with a unique presentation. In an African attire popularly known as “Agbada”. he performed a medley of danceable songs which got nearly everyone on their feet. Tunmise finished as the 3rd runner up of the contest.
Stella Joel, According to the judges she was a machine wheeling her strong vocal at every stretch of the song. The dynamics in her performance truly showed that she was in-charge of the stage not willing to negotiate with anything less than expectation. Stella finished as 2nd runner-up.
Andrew Udohokon, a solo artist who could be whatever he chooses to be. He performed a self-composed song to tell a story of his life. He could play a rhythm, and make a melodic beat with his guitar at the same time. Knowing well that this same man was the judge’s wide card, you could almost guess that he was going to be the winner of the competition but the judges affirmed that his performance in the first round would have been the winning song for him. As usual, Andrew’s performance was very unique and soulful, he finished as the 1st runner up of the LIS Naija Season 9.
Emmanuel Oluwasona, a 9 year old saxophonist stole the show with an outstanding performance that got everyone astonished. He started with a welcoming syncopation that led into a song medley, but what blew most people away, was when he did a sustain note for quite a long time. As though that wasn’t enough act, he modulated amidst the sustained note into a new song medley. No doubt everyone was entirely captivated and gave him a thundering ovation.
At the end of the 2nd round, Emmanuel Oluwasona emerged the winner of the Loud in Silence Nigeria Season 9 extended. He won the prize of 2 million Naira Cash, and the opportunity to perform at the LIS 10th Anniversary Ireland.
We appreciate everyone for your support, the TU Team Nigeria, the TU Team Irland, most especially our judges who came all the way from Ireland to Nigeria, Angela Carlton, Isekhua Evborokhai, Jude Bakere, Alanna Wade, Tina Amen – who was present throughout the auditions but unavoidably absent in the grand finale. We also want to thank Pst Kunle Daniel for coming with us from Ireland.