A total of 5 finalists have emerged winners in the inaugural Imomotimi Ijaw Dance Contest grand finale held on Sunday 1 December 2024 in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
Top Winners Williams Perekabowei (1st prize) and Japhet Kime Ebierimene ThankGod (2nd Prize), led three other finalists who excelled in the contest.
11 finalists participated in the shimmering grand finale held at the Dr Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa.
The dance contest organised by the Imomotimi Foundation was aimed at fostering a sense of identity, pride and unity among Ijaws, celebrate the unique Ijaw cultural heritage in dance and art, and to encourage creativity.
The event saw the finalists slug it out, striving to outdo each other through the mastery of various types of Ijaw cultural dance steps ranging from owigiri, Igime, kokoma, agene, aboh, etc.
Every step from each dancer was a beautiful blend of culture, respect, and artistry incorporated to keep traditions alive; highlighting the empowering nature of traditional dance.
The Dr Gabriel Okara Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, venue of the event was saturated
by over 300 individuals dignitaries and spectators including family and friends of the contestants.
With seasoned set of judges with years of experience in the dance and creative industry, the dancers were scored based on performance, execution, original moves, and crowd engagement.
The teenage Williams Perekabowei, was the cynosure of all eyes at the finale. Williams from the audition stage where he qualified into the contest, put up an impressive show, performing solo, executing mind-boggling traditional dance moves and winning himself a solid fan base from the early stage of the contest.
Given the splendid performances by the finalists, the Imomotimi Ijaw Dance contest will keep tongues of the spectators wagging for months to come.
The thunderous ovation that heralded Chief Barrister Smooth, the guest musician
as he mounted the stage was evidence of his growing influence and charisma in the ijaw music industry. And Yes! He did not disappoint with the full complement of his band delivering the best from his repertoire of old and new songs.
The event had in attendance Bayelsa State Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs Chief Godspower Oporomo, as well as representatives from the Bayelsa State agency for tourism development.
On ground to compere the Imomotimi Ijaw Dance Contest was popular ijaw music promoter and OAP, Mike Ekiye. He also acted as the back-up judge as someone with vast experience in the ijaw music and entertainment industry.
Highlight of the event was the announcement of the five top winners beginning from the 5th position and presentation of cheque to the Winners of the the first edition of the Imomotimi Ijaw Dance Contest 2024.
The prizes for the winners are as follows:
1st Prize: 2,000,000 (two million naira)
2nd Prize: 1,000,000 (one million naira)
3rd Prize: 500,000 (five hundred thousand naira)
4th Prize: 300,000 (three hundred thousand naira)
5th Prize: 200,000 (two hundred thousand naira).
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