Hymnodia Season 2, thetriple E, entertainment, education and edification, reality TV show builtaround hymns and worship has come to a spectacular (hymntacular) end withEdiomo Akpan emerging the winner (Hymnodian) of the grand prize of an Asaph (aspecially designed award named after David’s chief musician), a brand-new carand N5 million, OMON SMART reports.
The grand finale, known as Hymncert, was held in grandeuron Sunday, 13th September, 2020, in Lagos. Due to prevailing circumstances ofthe coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Hymncert was not open to the generalhymn-loving public like before, but what it lost in crowd, was more than gainedin glamour and entertainment (hymntainment).
Minstrel Sarah Thompson set the tone for the evening withher soulful rendition of worship songs which got the few guests lifted inspirit and soul, after which came the battlenodia (battle) for the prize. Fivecontestants (Hymntestants) made it to the Hymncert but only four contended forthe prize.
The two Hymntestants with the lowest votes, Johnson”Json” Ikpeama and Yinka Odunayo, engaged in a contest for the judgesto decide who would join the trio of Frank Okoye, Duke Asuquo and Ediomo Akpanin the grand finale, a situation that saw Odunayo outwitting her counterpart ina fierce battlenodia of hymns.
Other highlights of the show were the performances made byThe boldone@ DemiladeAdepega and the legendary Kunle Batik, who thrilled theaudience to melodious tunes with their saxophones.
The Hymncert proper started with Duke’s rendition of”Conqueror through the Blood” and followed by Ediomo’s performance of”Christ Our Mighty Captain”. Part one of the hymncert was Victoryhymns all the way then followed by the Pidgination of hymns segment.
Returning Hymntestant, Stephen Nwosu, in his melodiousvoice also featured, singing and dancing with his performance of”Gukongozigi”, — Count Your Blessings in Igbo.
After the performances, came the moment of truth, asGbenga Badejo & Company, the collation agency handed the results to thehost, the Dean of the Hymnstitute (show’s house), Ben Ogbeiwi, who kept theguests longing to know the Season 2 Hymnodian.
Frank Okoye was declared the 3rd runner-up, Yinka Odunayothe 2nd runner-up, while the moment of truth for the real winner was held in alittle suspense, which kept the audience eager to know what would follow.
Duke and Ediomo were invited by the Dean to join him onthe diamond platform and there was palpable tension and anxiety in the hall.The two men standing were visibly gripped by tension and the Dean allowed it tobuild by inviting the dignitaries who would present the prizes onto the stagebefore announcing the winner.
Pastor Kenny Folarin of Day Star Christain Centre was topresent the Asaph, The Very Reverend Olushola Makinde to present the car keywhile the Producer and Executive Producer, Kufre and Mrs Ezinne Kufre-Ekanemwere to present the N5million cheque.
With all the dignitaries on stage, the Dean of heHymnstitute and Host for the Show, Dean Ben Ogbeiwi, bellowed ‘the winner andtrue Hymnodian of Season 2 is Ediomo’.
The hall erupted with applause.
Ediomo was momentarily shocked but when he realised whathad happened, overcome with emotion and sunk to his knees as other Hymntestantsswarmed him.
A graduate of the ABRSM Advanced Chorale Singingprogramme, Ediomo has sung in several choirs over the past nine years and wasnever on probation for the whole period of the Season 2 show, with thefavourite hymn, A Mighty Fortress is our God
He is a pseudo-polyglot, speaks English, Spanish and hisnative language Annang. He is an Akwa Ibom-born, Lagos-bred soloist withproficiency on the classical flute. He is a chorister, a tenor, at the House onthe Rock Church, Lekki, Lagos.
In his remarks, Kufre Ekanem, expressed gratitude to Godfor his awesomeness in making Hymnodia Season 2, a success, and wished to seeSeason 3, which will take place in 2021.
The reality TV show on hymns and worship was a one-hourprogramme on Lagos Television (Channel 256 on DSTV, Channel 90 on Gotv andChannel 113 on Startimes) with a magazine show on same channel on Wednesdayevening. It was also streamed live online via the LTV App available on the appstore and on the dedicated YouTube channel, Hymnodiahq.
The show was also viewed on GITV, Kaduna; AnambraBroadcasting Service, Onitsha; Ondo State Radio/TV, Akure; ITV, Abuja and CrossRiver TV, Calabar. Others are: Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC); KwaraTV, Ilorin and Plateau Radio TV, Jos. All the stations aired Hymnodia on thesame days (Sunday and Wednesday) but at different times.
