28 YEAR-OLD ARESE WINS AIRTEL’S THE VOICE NIGERIA

After thirteen weeks of intense performances, thrills, and excitement, Agharese Emokpae a.ka. Arese from #TeamWaje has emerged winner of the music talent show, The Voice Nigeria, sponsored by Airtel.

The colourful and highly captivating finale held on Sunday, 31st July, 2016 saw eight contestants vie for the grand prize, which eventually went to 28-years-old Arese whose outstanding performance convinced the judges and thrilled the audience.

Arese clinched the grand prize of a recording contract with Universal, an SUV worth seven million Naira and an all-expense paid trip for two to Abu Dhabi courtesy Etihad Airways.

Vice President, Brands and Advertising, Airtel Nigeria, Enitan Denloye; Airtel Smart Icon and The Voice Nigeria Coach, Tuface Idibia; Winner of The Voice Nigeria, Arese; Airtel Smart Icon and The Voice Nigeria Coach, Patoranking and Head, Youth Segment, Airtel Nigeria, Omoyeme Effiong at the Grand Finale of the maiden edition of The Voice Nigeria on 31^st July, 2016

The finale was laced with uncertainty, excitement and fun as there were individual and group performances as each coach performed with their two finalists.

Leading the ensemble was #TeamTimi; he was joined by Cornel and Dewe as they performed Timi’s song, ‘Heaven Please.’ #TeamWaje and her mentees, Arese and Patrick thrilled the audience with their astounding display of stage mastery as they performed the hit single ‘Ominiknowest’.

#TeamPatoranking assisted by Chike and Nonso, performed the hit song “No Kissing Baby” from the debut album GOE; while #TeamTubaba took to the stage with Brenda and Viveeyan performing his song ‘The Devil is a Liar.’

As the competition heated up four contestants progressed to the next stage: Brenda from #TeamTubaba; Arese, from #TeamWaje; Chike from #TeamPatoranking; and Cornel from #TeamTimi. They went back to the stage for their last performances on the show. Cornel brought the night alive with Lionel Ritchie’s ‘All Night Long’; Chike got the crowd swaying to his rendition of Kiss Daniel’s ‘Mama’ and Arese took to the stage afterwards with an emotional performance of ‘Hallelujah’ whilst the bubbly Brenda thrilled the audience with Wizkid’s ‘’Ojuelegba’’.

Chike and Arese were the last two finalists standing before Arese was declared the winner of the first season of The Voice Nigeria.