L-R: Vice President, Brands and Advertising, Airtel Nigeria, Enitan Denloye; The Voice Nigeria Coach, Waje; Winner of The Voice Nigeria, Arese and Head, Youth Segment, Airtel Nigeria, Omoyeme Effiong at the Grand Finale of The Voice Nigeria on 31st July, 2016 - 789marketing

L-R: Vice President, Brands and Advertising, Airtel Nigeria, Enitan Denloye; Winner of The Voice Nigeria, Arese and Head, Youth Segment, Airtel Nigeria, Omoyeme Effiong at the Grand Finale of The Voice Nigeria on 31st July, 2016 - 789marketing
L-R: Vice President, Brands and Advertising, Airtel Nigeria, Enitan Denloye; Winner of The Voice Nigeria, Arese and Head, Youth Segment, Airtel Nigeria, Omoyeme Effiong at the Grand Finale of The Voice Nigeria on 31st July, 2016 – 789marketing

After 13 weeks of intense performances, thrills, and excitement, a grand daughter of advertising czar, Erhabor Ogieva Emokpae, Agharese Emokpae popularly known as  A’rese during the competition, from #TeamWaje has emerged winner of the music talent show, The Voice Nigeria, sponsored by Airtel and Coca-Cola.

Ogieva Emokpae, OON, (9 May 1934 – 16 February 1984) was a renowned Nigerian sculptor, muralist, graphic artist and painter who is also regarded as one of the pioneers of modern arts in Nigeria. Some of his notable works include the crafting of a replica of the ivory mask of Queen Idia which was used as the official emblem of Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture event] and the Queen Amina painting.

He is also responsible for the decorations on the four entrances of the National Arts Theatre, in Lagos..

In 1958, he moved into Lagos and got employed by the West African Publicity (now Lowe Lintas West Africa, Lagos) as a creative visual artist. He went on to be promoted as the Senior Creative Advertisement Visual Artist in 1966 and in 1973 he became the Creative Director of the firm.

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.

A’rese 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.

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 beforeArese was declared thewinner of the first season of The Voice Nigeria.