Why I’ll not live a different life after GUS —Ifunanya, GUS 10 last girl standing
The last girl standing of the last Gulder
Ultimate Search season ten (GUS 10),
Ifunanya Onike is currently enjoying fame
after her success as the current queen in the
history of GUS reality game. The Anambra
State-born undergraduate of Economics in
this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, speaks
on her experience in the jungle and life after
GUS. Excerpts:
You are now one of the crowned queens in
the hall of fame of GUS. What will this
office do to your career?
I am glad to be part of the hall of fame. It
is a privilege to be one of the crowned
queens of GUS, but then, this office was
worked for and I deserved it. It wasn’t just
by chance.
Don’t you think this office will change
your life style?
The office and the reward of the game,
surely, will add to my life, but I don’t think
it will change my person. I still remain the
same person and I don’t have any reason to
live a different life despite my lot.
Looking at the contest from the onset,
did you ever think you would be the last
girl standing?
I always knew I would be the last woman
standing once I made the list of final 12.
What gave you such conviction?
I trust God and believed in myself. I had my
strategies and it worked for me.
You were among the strongest of the
girls in the game. Could that be the
reason you were favoured to be the last
standing?
I was actually addressed as fragile
Ifunanya, but looks can be deceptive. It was
not because I looked it, nor was the
strongest, it was simply the grace of God.
God favoured me with the title of last girl
standing.
How did you get strength for all the
tasks?
By praying before and thanking God after
each task. I am not new to competitions. I
was the sports prefect in my secondary
school, Zamani College. By making me
prefect, I had been indirectly prepared for
such competitions. The leadership training
programmes organised by the school in Shere
Hills, Jos, which I fully participated in, gave
me a big boost. Back in primary school, I was
an active member of the Girls’ Guide so,
bonfires and camps away from home, were
part of my early life adventures.
There were rumours that the contest was
stage-managed. How would you react to
this?
Stage managed? How? The puzzles, the
obstacles? No, the rumours are not true. It
was a great event and all those who were
involved should be commended for organising
such youth-challenging events.
You were leading initially at the last
stage of the contest but suddenly fell
into the river, leaving Dennis and Edmund
cross the river. When you eventually got
to the river, it was Dennis doing a
serious search, while you and Edmund put
in less effort. Canyou explain why?
I was leading initially on that day, but
miscalculated because of the weight of the
bag on me. I think they quickly learnt and
devised a better way to cross. That is
competition for you.
How real is the contest?
As real as the stars in the sky. We actually
slept on bamboos; starved for three days
during which I was forced to look for palm
kernels to eat without roasting or boiling
them. We cooked in iron buckets. The stomp
of shame was to be carried everywhere the
bearer went for the period of time. I slept
on bamboo for 28 days. When Ema fell from
the palm tree on the second day, it dawned
on me that this was real.
Your series of successes in the task made
you become 'the favourite' especially the
delicious delicacy you won during the
context. How were you able to overcome
the envy?
My success in the tasks made me become the
favourite, especially the delicious delicacy,
which was prepared for me in the presence
of my enemies, nay, my competitors. If there
was envy, I didn’t notice. I was happy all the
time and had an open mind.
Could the person you called to the table
be your best man?
I called him to dine with me because we have
some things in common.
Like what?
We both didn’t eat “Harry” the goat. While
others enjoyed the goat delicacy, we starved.
Do you plan to sustain the relationship?
He is a wonderful person and indeed most of
the other contestants.
What is your relationship like with the
Adeboye twins?
Great. It seems like I have known them for
years. It has grown into a family
relationship.
What’s tour view of the anchor man,
Chidi Mokeme?
Chidi was very strict with us and also
diligent. His style added colour to the
presentation.
It was learnt that he was too harsh on
you guys
He was harsh when it was necessary. You
can’t go soft on warriors, you know.
How was life in the jungle?
Very challenging. This however, made us
aware of potentials which hitherto we didn't
know we had.
How do you feel bathing and dressing up
among strange faces and males?
I didn’t feel uncomfortable because the GUS
arrangement afforded a good level of
privacy. The girls go to take their bath at
different times with the boys. It was much
like what you have in camps and even some
schools.
What do you now miss about the jungle?
Well, I’d say the solitude that affords you
the opportunity for inward reflection. One is
close to nature. I was also saved the news of
wars, killings and wickedness that go with it.
Now that you are a millionaire, what have
you been able to do with the money you
won?
I intend to spend it on investments and my
education.
What was the first thing you purchased
with the money?
A new phone. My last one was stolen a few
months before the show and other things I
cannot mention now.
What was your growing up like?
Growing up was less complicated compared
to adulthood because virtually everything
was taken care of by my parents. All I
needed to worry about was my homework,
house chores and new pranks to play. My
parents did well to ensure that I and my
siblings were brought up the right way and
lacked nothing essential. I thank God now I’m
grown that I acquired all the necessary
morals and norms for adulthood.
Your educational background?
I had my nursery and primary education at
Hakda International School, Kaduna. I also
had my secondary education at Zamani
College Kaduna and gained admission into the
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the same
year I graduated from college to study
Economics, even though we didn’t commence
until the following year due to strike.
Now that you have fame, what type of
tattoo would you love to wear and in
which part of your body would you love to
wear it?
None. Never loved tattoos.
What kind of man do you desire?
He must be God-fearing, down to earth,
should love travelling, witty, should have an
idea of how to cook and above all someone
who I should be compatible with.
Words to your fans?
Can't thank my fans enough. Their goodwill
and prayers, no doubt, contributed to my
success. I really hold them in a high esteem.
To my fans, I would like to add too that
nothing good comes easy. Put God first in
everything, be focused and work towards
achieving your dreams.
How did you hear about GUS?
I had been following the programme since
2004, so I decided to give it a try this time.
Any lesson you learnt from the reality
show?
I learnt to improve my patience level,
endurance level and tolerance.
Culled from tribune
Ultimate Search season ten (GUS 10),
Ifunanya Onike is currently enjoying fame
after her success as the current queen in the
history of GUS reality game. The Anambra
State-born undergraduate of Economics in
this interview with SEYI SOKOYA, speaks
on her experience in the jungle and life after
GUS. Excerpts:
You are now one of the crowned queens in
the hall of fame of GUS. What will this
office do to your career?
I am glad to be part of the hall of fame. It
is a privilege to be one of the crowned
queens of GUS, but then, this office was
worked for and I deserved it. It wasn’t just
by chance.
Don’t you think this office will change
your life style?
The office and the reward of the game,
surely, will add to my life, but I don’t think
it will change my person. I still remain the
same person and I don’t have any reason to
live a different life despite my lot.
Looking at the contest from the onset,
did you ever think you would be the last
girl standing?
I always knew I would be the last woman
standing once I made the list of final 12.
What gave you such conviction?
I trust God and believed in myself. I had my
strategies and it worked for me.
You were among the strongest of the
girls in the game. Could that be the
reason you were favoured to be the last
standing?
I was actually addressed as fragile
Ifunanya, but looks can be deceptive. It was
not because I looked it, nor was the
strongest, it was simply the grace of God.
God favoured me with the title of last girl
standing.
How did you get strength for all the
tasks?
By praying before and thanking God after
each task. I am not new to competitions. I
was the sports prefect in my secondary
school, Zamani College. By making me
prefect, I had been indirectly prepared for
such competitions. The leadership training
programmes organised by the school in Shere
Hills, Jos, which I fully participated in, gave
me a big boost. Back in primary school, I was
an active member of the Girls’ Guide so,
bonfires and camps away from home, were
part of my early life adventures.
There were rumours that the contest was
stage-managed. How would you react to
this?
Stage managed? How? The puzzles, the
obstacles? No, the rumours are not true. It
was a great event and all those who were
involved should be commended for organising
such youth-challenging events.
You were leading initially at the last
stage of the contest but suddenly fell
into the river, leaving Dennis and Edmund
cross the river. When you eventually got
to the river, it was Dennis doing a
serious search, while you and Edmund put
in less effort. Canyou explain why?
I was leading initially on that day, but
miscalculated because of the weight of the
bag on me. I think they quickly learnt and
devised a better way to cross. That is
competition for you.
How real is the contest?
As real as the stars in the sky. We actually
slept on bamboos; starved for three days
during which I was forced to look for palm
kernels to eat without roasting or boiling
them. We cooked in iron buckets. The stomp
of shame was to be carried everywhere the
bearer went for the period of time. I slept
on bamboo for 28 days. When Ema fell from
the palm tree on the second day, it dawned
on me that this was real.
Your series of successes in the task made
you become 'the favourite' especially the
delicious delicacy you won during the
context. How were you able to overcome
the envy?
My success in the tasks made me become the
favourite, especially the delicious delicacy,
which was prepared for me in the presence
of my enemies, nay, my competitors. If there
was envy, I didn’t notice. I was happy all the
time and had an open mind.
Could the person you called to the table
be your best man?
I called him to dine with me because we have
some things in common.
Like what?
We both didn’t eat “Harry” the goat. While
others enjoyed the goat delicacy, we starved.
Do you plan to sustain the relationship?
He is a wonderful person and indeed most of
the other contestants.
What is your relationship like with the
Adeboye twins?
Great. It seems like I have known them for
years. It has grown into a family
relationship.
What’s tour view of the anchor man,
Chidi Mokeme?
Chidi was very strict with us and also
diligent. His style added colour to the
presentation.
It was learnt that he was too harsh on
you guys
He was harsh when it was necessary. You
can’t go soft on warriors, you know.
How was life in the jungle?
Very challenging. This however, made us
aware of potentials which hitherto we didn't
know we had.
How do you feel bathing and dressing up
among strange faces and males?
I didn’t feel uncomfortable because the GUS
arrangement afforded a good level of
privacy. The girls go to take their bath at
different times with the boys. It was much
like what you have in camps and even some
schools.
What do you now miss about the jungle?
Well, I’d say the solitude that affords you
the opportunity for inward reflection. One is
close to nature. I was also saved the news of
wars, killings and wickedness that go with it.
Now that you are a millionaire, what have
you been able to do with the money you
won?
I intend to spend it on investments and my
education.
What was the first thing you purchased
with the money?
A new phone. My last one was stolen a few
months before the show and other things I
cannot mention now.
What was your growing up like?
Growing up was less complicated compared
to adulthood because virtually everything
was taken care of by my parents. All I
needed to worry about was my homework,
house chores and new pranks to play. My
parents did well to ensure that I and my
siblings were brought up the right way and
lacked nothing essential. I thank God now I’m
grown that I acquired all the necessary
morals and norms for adulthood.
Your educational background?
I had my nursery and primary education at
Hakda International School, Kaduna. I also
had my secondary education at Zamani
College Kaduna and gained admission into the
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, the same
year I graduated from college to study
Economics, even though we didn’t commence
until the following year due to strike.
Now that you have fame, what type of
tattoo would you love to wear and in
which part of your body would you love to
wear it?
None. Never loved tattoos.
What kind of man do you desire?
He must be God-fearing, down to earth,
should love travelling, witty, should have an
idea of how to cook and above all someone
who I should be compatible with.
Words to your fans?
Can't thank my fans enough. Their goodwill
and prayers, no doubt, contributed to my
success. I really hold them in a high esteem.
To my fans, I would like to add too that
nothing good comes easy. Put God first in
everything, be focused and work towards
achieving your dreams.
How did you hear about GUS?
I had been following the programme since
2004, so I decided to give it a try this time.
Any lesson you learnt from the reality
show?
I learnt to improve my patience level,
endurance level and tolerance.
Culled from tribune
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