The winner of Nigerian Idol Season 8, Victory Gbakara on Saturday made his first public appearance in Warri, Delta State since winning the reality TV show.
Victory concluded the season during the grand finale on the night of Sunday, July 16, 2023, with a performance of Wizkid’s ‘Blessed’, and received a grand prize of N100 million, which includes N35 million cash and a brand-new SUV car.
The Air Peace aircraft that conveyed him touched the Osubi Airstrip at exactly 9:45 am and was received by a jubilant mammoth crowd comprising members of his immediate family and team Victory Gbakara fan base.
An unprecedented crowd which had Victory’s mother, Bishop Julien Gbakara and his siblings all defied the Saturday early morning heavy downpour to welcome the winner of the Nigerian Idol Season 8, amidst cheers.
The convoy of the Nigerian Idol season eight winner also drove through major streets in Effurun and Udu before arriving at the headquarters of God’s Will Mission, where he was received by his father, Arch Bishop Solomon Gbakara.
Speaking with newsmen, Victory Gbakara said he was delighted to emerge as the winner of the Season 8 edition of the show and returned all the glory to God.
He revealed that he had mixed feelings going into the contest noting that the journey of the emerging winner was not easy, but the goal-getter attitude in him and the grace of God saw him through.
He also disclosed that he was the music director in his school during his University days adding that his vision was to build his musical career and looks forward to doing more of his own songs as well as partnering with top gospel musicians in Nigeria and across the globe.
Victory promised not to allow the height he has attained to derail him from the things of God and described those who voted for him and defied the heavy downpour to receive him as his backbone.
He encouraged Nigerian youths to have confidence in themselves, get connected to God, focus and be determined in order to break new ground.
Arch Bishop Solomon Gbakara and his wife Bishop Julien whose joy knew no bounds were full of praises to God for honouring them with the victory of their son at the TV reality show.
They promised to guide and give the needed support to the musical career of their son provided it is in the line of God.
Arch Bishop Gbakara and his wife thanked members of the public for allowing God to use them to ensure the victory of their son which they say has brought honour to them.