I’m the next superstar of the movies- Adewole Ojo, AMBO winner

From the slum of Meran, a suburb of Lagos, a film star has emerged. He is 24-year-old Adewole Ojo, winner of the just concluded Amstel Malta Box Office (AMBO) reality TV show.Basking in the euphoria of his new star status at the Planet One in Maryland, Lagos penultimate Friday, Ojo, who was visibly shocked but excited as he was named the winner, thumped his chest and declared that he’s the real superstar of the box office.“I feel so wonderful. It is my car. I am the winner of AMBO 4 and it is for real,” Ojo enthused.Just before then, keys to a brand new car and a cheque for N2.5 million had been presented to Ojo by the Managing Director, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Michiel Herkemij as star prizes for emerging winner of this year’s AMBO.The final 10 contestants included Ajibade Omisade, 26, from Osun State, Uche Nwokocha, 22, from Imo State, Adewole Ojo, 24, a native of Oyo State; Solafunmi Sosanya, 25, from Ogun State, Balyesa State-born Tiem Okori, Fatima Sheidu, 25, from Kaduna State, Chukwudi Obido, 20, from Delta State, Nnena Udeh, 23, from Imo State, Tope Alake, 26, from Osun State and Chioma Ezeani, 20, from Enugu State.Nevertheless, a mild drama had earlier ensued at the ceremony when Ajibade was named the first runner-up in the keenly contested grand finale. Anxious fans and family members in the audience erupted in wild jubilation while some hit the stage with victory song with the belief that he had won. But that was not to be as they were promptly brought back to reality with the announcement that Ajibade has indeed been named first runner-up in the competition but not the real winner. But then Tope was announced as the 2nd runner-up while ‘Daddy’s Pet’, Uche Nwokocha finished as the 3rd runner-up, the last woman standing.The AMBO 4 grand finale was indeed very tight, hot and keenly contested by the four finalists. The organizers no doubt had a hectic time collating the votes as they kept pouring in from all over the country. The ice was believed to have been broken to produce a clear leader during the on-the-spot voting by the distinguished audience that witnessed the final rounds of the contest. They included top entertainers like Kenny Saint Brown, Essence, Felix Duke and Koffi, the comedian among others. Every one present were issued a voter card each to vote their favourite finalist to emerge winner shortly after the four hot rivals made their last and final drama presentation on stage. They did a dress rehearsal from a scintillating scene in the multiple award-winning flick, Sitanda. The same scene was assigned to the three male finalists to perform while Uche, the only female finalist performed a separate scene.Clips from the selection of the four finalists and high points of their performances during the 21-day contest in the academy were earlier shown to the excitement of the audience for adequate assessments. Then came the hour of judgment, and Wole carried the day leaving his closest and hard fighting rival, Ajibade with a highly inspirational parting gift.He says: “I thought I was the winner but it was Wole. I think God has a better plan and that was why it happened that way. Don’t just worry; watch out for the stars because I will be among them, shining too much.”But Ojo could not help thanking God and everyone who voted to see him emerge winner. “To you all out there, I don’t only see you as my fans but as my friends and loved ones. To all the Man U fans out there, I say one blood. Big shout out to every single fella in Meran because that is where I hailed from in Lagos State and to my lovely girlfriend, Mosumola.”