ENOCH HAMMOND EMERGE NMS 2007 WINNER

For every race and competition that has a start, there must be an end, same goes to the highly publicized and well packaged TV Reality show, the Next Movie Star (NMS) 2007. It has been an interesting journey in the last two months, as hundreds of youths from Nigeria and Ghana began a battle of the survival of the fittest. Yet, the sojourn of who becomes the NMS 2007 continues, from Nigeria to Ghana for training, grooming, and selection of the final sixteen before their return back to the house in Nigeria.

Alas! It was only the sixteen strong minded, dynamic and multi-talented ones Adesewa Ogunleyimu, Uti Nwachukwu, Diana Oribioye, Ameh Lucy Franscesca, Abimbola Olufunmilayo, Adekunle Johnny, Adebello Ayorinde, Olufemi Oshinuga, Kayode Oredugba (Nigeria), Enoch Hammond, Lilian Lartai, Lydia Forson, Martha Ankomah, Emmanuel Mettle, Johannes Maier, Monica Osei-Tutu, that made the final list of those who entered the NMS House (Salagash's abode).

Friday 5th October, 2007 was the last day in the House, all seems normal, the Housemates went through their normal routine including script for a play some few hours before the declaration, until the deep voice of Salagashi echoed, the voice that has lived with them for one month, told them they are almost at the end of this year's NMS 2007, the voice introduced and ushered in Porttia Yamahan (NMS Winner 2006), Kingsley Ogboso (NMS Winner 2005) and a frontline Nigerian Movie Director, Dickson Ireogbu.

After congratulating the six finalists: Martha Ankomah, Ameh Franscesca Lucy, Enoch Hammond, Lydia Forson, Olufemi Oshinuga, and Uti Nwachuckwu, there seem to be unusual calm as tension and anxiety wore the finalists a special toga. Who wins the NMS 2007 seems to be on the lips of every one of them? Kingsley Ogboso broke the dead silence, with smile on his face, he announced Martha Ankomah as the second runner up (3rd), she was elated with joy, it was a mixture of shock and joy, for the cook of the NMS house, she was a top contender. Porttia Yamahan declared Uti Nwachuckwu as the first runner up (2nd), the "fine-boy" of the house as popularly called by his housemates shouted hurray. And there comes the moment we were all waiting for, it was the moment, Dickson Ireogbu had the singular honour of announcing and declaring the NMS 2007 Winner, it was Enoch Hammond.

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The dark complexioned- sturdy Ghananian was full of joy as he continually shout on top of his voice, he could not believe it. Other housemates hugged him, it was celebration galore as other evictees were allowed in, past NMS housemates, family friends, well wishers etc were not left out in the groovy mood.

We caught up with the winner and other finalists on how they felt about the show, they bare it all on how they felt, views about the organizers and the entire package amidst other issues.

Enoch Hammond (NMS 2007 Winner) had this to say "I feel good, I feel very great. He bursts into laughter and start singing the popular tune “I feel good . . . “ I still don't know how I'm feeling right away, but I think I feel so good. Thank you Jesus, thank you Lord, for making me the eventual winner of the show. . . Without anybody's knowledge, I had three days fasting and prayer in the house, my housemates didn't know. I was not eating, but I know what I was doing. I made a covenant with God. I want to raise the flag of NMS, I hope that in the next six months, the NMS move to two other African countries, more West Africa countries, if not more African countries.

Uti Nwachuckwu (1st Runner up) was still his normal self, cool and calm, but he was beaming with smile when he was interrogated " I feel like a winner men! Because I am the first when it comes to Nigeria in the ratings. I feel very great; it still feels like a dream to me, but till I get out and meet people out there, I really don't know how big this is yet. I am just basking in the euphoria right know. I am having a blast basically. . . So my people from Edo/Delta, from the South/South Nigeria and Ghana, 'I dey feel una, I know say if no be una, I no for fit get here. Thank you all, God bless you, God bless me'. I promised I will make you proud, just watch out for Uti, and for DIM, thank you for putting me through psychology, physical and emotional examination but then thank you for making me a better person. I am so grateful for this experience".

The only lady in the top three, Martha Ankomah (2nd Runner up) was very proud of herself being the only person in the last phase, the beautiful looking Ghanaian felf she already has a platform to express herself, she averred" Oh my next plan! By God's grace, I have a contract with Lancelot Imasuen, one of the best Directors in Nigeria. I hope to shoot that movie with him and I pray to God that movie directors will come looking for me. I'm also very hopeful for the future with this platform given to me . . I'm very grateful to my fans/admirers for their votes, what they've been saying about me on the internet, TV and newspapers everywhere in Nigeria and Ghana. I pray God bless you really good for me. Thank you very much.

Enoch Hammond as the 2007 NMS winner is expected to go home with fabulous prizes like a Geely car, three movie contracts, N500, 000.00 cash, and a flat in a choice area in Lagos. The first and the second runners up have two and a movie contract respectively with Digital Interactive Media (DIM) the organizers of the NMS amidst other fabulous prizes. The other evictees will equally have chance of debuting at the three movies for the NMS 2007.

Criteria at arriving at winner and the runners up includes voting from audience in Nigeria, Ghana and around the world courtesy African Independent Television (AIT) and Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), whose stations are viewed on satellite cable, Professionals(actors/actresses, director/movie producers) perception about the housemates, and In-House judges' assessment.

However, amidst celebration on Friday 5th October, 2007, two other finalists felt fulfilled by being part of the last six, and what's more, they were proud of the eventual winner of the NMS 2007. Ameh Franscesca Lucy, from Benue State in Nigeria expressed her mind" I feel really great, I feel like a star because I am already one, Ha! Ha! Because we were sixteen that entered the house, we had four stages of evictions and I scaled through all of them . . . . I really didn't feel bad because I still stayed in the house till the finals and I know I am still better than those that left the house earlier. I will say I got the exposure I needed from the programme. Right now, I know I am a star, I feel proud of my housemates and the eventual winner".

The house had another guy in the final six, a man in with a very special look and a baritone voice that can melt the heart of any woman, the man from Sagamu, Ogun State, it was no other person than Oshinuga Olufemi." I feel great for being part of the final six, but not being called the winner, its all the same you know, yeah, a winner must emerge and for everybody cannot win, I feel great though I didn't win the competition, I am happy for my brother from another country, Enoch and my main men, Uti and Martha, they have done well . . . we are all good actors and actresses" Femi submitted.

Meanwhile the organizers are perfecting plans to throw Winners party in Nigeria and Ghana respectively to herald the winner of the NMS 2007 (Enoch Hammond) from Ghana. DIM is set to storm the Nollywood Industry with about four movies to show case the abundant talents of the NMS 2005 and 2006 Housemates. The movies include: The Waiter, D8, Calabar Girl, DanceHood etc.

The Next Movie Star 2007 is sponsored by Haier Thermocool, PZ Cussons (Ghana), Hyra Motors (Makers of Geely),Guinness, Mikano, Teledom, Élan Water, Reckitt Benckiser, Erykah (Professional Make up Artist) and Pagaimoh Creations.