Chinedu Ubachukwu, winner of Gulder Ultimate Search 11, tells PUNCH
Saturday Beat about his days in the jungle in an interview. Excerpts:
Some people might think you won the competition because you are from
the host state, Anambra...
No. It couldn't have been so. I was not the only person from Anambra
State that contested in the Gulder Ultimate Show. Two of them went out
quite early in the game.
So how did you survive?
I was determined and focused and God helped me to sail through. I
think that was just how I became the Ultimate Man.
Why did you even decide to be a part of GUS?
Initially, I had no reason to be a part of it. I used to think the
organisers have their own people who they want to be part of the show.
That was the mindset I had. But I changed my mind over that perception
when I applied for it. I was just waiting to go for my youth service
programme but I decided to just apply for this 'thing' to keep myself
busy. Along the line, I realised that application was even free. I
just decided to apply and I said to myself if I didn't make it, there
wouldn't be any reason for me to be unhappy. I also felt that
peradventure I was chosen finally, I would use the money to pay my
tuition for my Master's programme in Scotland next year. So, I entered
and I fought for it and by God's grace, I got it.
Some people feel that all those hurdles and tough times you guys went
through in the jungle were staged-managed...
Honestly speaking, we suffered more than it was shown on TV. I think
it was heavily edited. I tell you that we suffered. If anybody thinks
it was staged-managed, next year GUS is open to everybody, I wish the
person would just go and apply and be a part of it. It was not easy.
If you were given the chance to win another N10m to be a part of GUS,
would you take it?
No way! I would never go back into that jungle again! Even if I was
given an automatic ticket of not going through the regional auditions,
nothing can take me back to that jungle. Even if there will be an 'All
Stars GUS", I don't think I would want to be a part of it, never!
Did you ever expect that you would be the Ultimate Man?
I am a very positive person; I always go for the kill. We were just
seven men in the jungle. Oh yes, there were seven girls as well but I
didn't consider the girls as a threat at all. I was just looking at
the other six guys as my competitors. For me, that mindset made the
competition less stressful and it helped me.
Who was your greatest rival?
Ottoh Cannon was just the man to beat. He is a very smart kid. I knew
him before we entered the jungle. I had asked him before who his rival
was and he said I was the one. He asked me and I told him he was my
rival. We even wrote it down on paper before we entered the jungle.
Do you have an idea what you intend to do with your star prize of N10m?
I have to pay my tithe and give God his share out of the money. Then I
will pay my tuition. I still want to do my Master's in Reservoir
Engineering in Scotland next year. I want to help the needy and of
course, I will definitely invest.
Do you consider N10m such a huge amount of money?
To me, N10m is big but it is also not that big. It depends on how you
manage it. In some places, I may not even get a plot of land with it.
It all depends. I just want to invest wisely and grow from it.
What kind of family do you come from?
I come from a Christian family. I have two brothers and two sisters.
My family is business oriented. Honestly, I was born with a silver
spoon. I will not lie about that.
Will you still stick to your girlfriend now that you have won?
I didn't have any girlfriend before I got into the jungle. There won't
be any need sticking to anybody.
Has the number of phone calls increased since you won the money?
It has been crazy. I have received phone calls from people I saw last
when I was in primary school and from those I don't even know. I guess
they are just happy for me and they want to express it. It is tiring
but I still pick and thank them.
What is next for you?
I want to work in an international oil company. I studied Petroleum
and Gas Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt.
--PUNCH
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