When God’s Children Great Talent, Season 7 announced auditions a few months ago, over 5,000 individual from different parts of Nigeria applied to show off their talents to be in with a shot at winning the mouth-watering grand prize of a 250 million Naira management deal, 10 million Naira cash prize and a brand new car.
After weeks of auditions, sessions in the boot camp and a keenly contested semi-final show, only 10 contestants qualified for the live television show of GCGT7 grand finale holding this Saturday, 24th June 2017 at Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.
Meet the Top 10 finalists as they continue to compete for public votes to win the GCGT Season 7 title.
Damilare Bafunso:
Born in Lagos, 19-year-old Dami is a whiz kid on the saxophone who’s currently in his 3rd year of studying Urban & Regional Planning at University of Lagos.
In the last edition of GCGT, Paul had tried entering himself and his sister but unfortunately he ran out of data. But as all things work together for God’s Children, he decided to give it another try this year and today Damilare is among the top 10 finalists contesting for the top prize.
Emmanuel Osahor
Emmanuel, 19 danced so well at the regional auditions that GCGT7 judge, Kaffy even offered to dance with him. The Delta State-born talent has been dancing professionally since he was 15.
When asked what dancing means to him, his response was epic. “Dancing is Emmanuel. I say things I can’t really put into words with dance.”
Joseph Odi
Joseph is excellent on the drums. He is so precise; not missing a beat even with blindfolds. Though still working on his admission into a higher institute of learning, the Port Harcourt–born drummer says winning the competition will mean the world to him.
Anderson Peter
Peter is just 8 years old and in Primary 4. Young but mighty, nothing about the way he handles the saxophone – an instrument that is almost bigger than him suggests his age.
His mastery of the musical instrument is way beyond his years as he succeeded in blowing the minds of the judges and studio audience from his very first audition to the semi-finals.
Goodluck Enoch
9-year-old Goodluck from Abuja has the combined confidence of 10 superstars. His stage presence belies his young age. In his own words “while preparing for the semi-finals, I had committed all the activities to the Holy Spirit – the reason for my confidence.” He said.
The rap artiste who wrote his first song at age 5 sees himself winning souls for Christ through the ministration of his rap songs.
Nengi Jaja
Port Harcourt has birthed a star with Nengi! He effortlessly shines at each performance. The 11-year-old’s strong and smooth vocal range never fails to get the audience on their feet. Some even say his pitch perfect voice gives a reverberating thrill.
Esther Benyeogo
As a child, Esther’s love for music always got the attention of the neighbours who could hear her sing and shout from the comfort of their homes. Since discovering her talent at 13 there has been no stopping her. The 19-year-old undergraduate of the University of Benin takes on a very different personality when she graces the stage to minister.
Olawonuola Kehinde
Olawonuola is only in primary 4. Her choreographic skills have left us awestruck at every stage of the GCGT7 competition. It is no surprise that we have her as a finalist. Right from her audition, Olawonuola has the charm and grace of a professional dancer.
Sophia Albert
You will never meet a more self-aware 10-year-old than Sophia Albert.
Her parents discovered Sophia’s gift of spoken word when she was only 4 years old. Following her progress in the competition, Sophia has continued to amaze the audience with her excellent use of words and command of presence during performances.
She cites the Holy Spirit, Word of God and her pastor Chris Oyakhilome, as her best positive influences.
Deborah Oladipupo
Deborah is the only female drummer to come this far in the competition. The Lagos-born contestant who resides in Ibadan with her parents went from feeling out of place as a female drummer to recognizing her gift is an asset.
When Deborah was faced with a challenge within the competition, she relied on grace, resilience and hopes to get through, she is grateful for not quitting.
The live television finals of God’s Children Great Talent Season 7 will broadcast on HIPTV 6pm – 8pm, Dove TV 6pm – 8pm and Wazobia Max TV 6pm – 8pm on Saturday 24th June 2017.
God’s Children Great talent (GCGT) is Africa’s Biggest Youth Talent Competition. An initiative by City of David Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in partnership with The How Foundation continues to identify and celebrate talents in children and young adults from age 5 to 20 years.
