Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, has rewarded 12 outstanding individuals with a total prize money of N32 million in its FUZE Talent Show.
The FUZE Talent Show, which received an overwhelming response with over 4,000 entries from applicants, provided a platform to showcase raw talent from participants across Nigeria. The journey to the finals was rigorous, with 28 contestants taken through a two-week boot camp, several levels of competition, and weekly elimination shows, after which the top 12 contestants secured their spots in the thrilling finals.
The top three in each category were presented with cash prizes of N5 million, N2 million and N1 million respectively, for the first, second and third place winners of each category. Praise Eguajoe (Dance category), Mariam Bello (Fashion category), Chioma Ukpabi-Steve (Tech category); and Atonopriya Cotterell (Music category) emerged as the first-place winners, and each walked away with N5 million cash prize.
Chief executive, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Olumide Oyetan, expressed pride and passion, saying, “It was truly an extraordinary showcase of Nigeria’s diverse and immense talent pool.
“At Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, we do not only focus on professionally managing your retirement funds but equip you with the knowledge to enable you make the right decisions that enables you optimise your retirement benefits, no matter your age,” he stressed.
He added that, “this is why we have put together this important platform to ensure that young Nigerians who have talents in diverse areas, get the encouragement that they need to truly achieve the extraordinary. Here, we believe that your best days are always ahead; so we aim to help you identify and seize the opportunities to harness them.”
Executive director, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Nike Bajomo, congratulated the winners and thanked everyone involved in putting up such a great show and for making the event a resounding success. She highlighted the significance of the FUZE Festival, stating that, “beyond the merriment and fun-filled experience, the event had a profound impact in empowering Nigerians to fulfil their dreams and end 2023 on a high note.”
The panel of judges comprising Ric Hassani, singer and song-writer; Banke Kuku, fashion curator; Bunmi Olunloyo, dance choreographer; and Stanley Jacob, Chief Executive of Zest Payment (formerly known as Stanbic IBTC Financial Services), played a crucial role in evaluating the performances across the four categories and in supporting the contestants to ending the show on a high note.
Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers has, once again, reaffirmed its commitment to empowering young Nigerians and making the extraordinary possible and also highlights the organisation’s strong support for the creative industry in Nigeria majorly powered by the youths.
