BBNaija: How Miracle happened

 ROTIMI IGE reports the sequence of events that led to the crowning of Miracle Igbokwe as the winner of Big Brother Naija: Double Wahala 2018.

After three months of suspense, drama, intrigue and controversy, Africa’s biggest reality show, Big Brother Naija: Double Wahala came to an end with the in-house pilot, Miracle, emerging as the winner of 25 million naira cash, an SUV and other prizes with a combined worth of N45 million.

Former Big Brother Naija housemate, Bisola, hosted a live viewing in Lagos, Nigeria, and coverage of the show switched between the venues. Nigerian serial hitmaker, Davido, kicked off proceedings with his hit track, ‘Fia’ and the five finalists, Tobi, Cee-C, Nina, Miracle and Alex were then joined in the house by Ebuka, who gave them opportunities to clear the air on several controversial issues.

The first eviction of the night was then announced, as Nina was told to leave the Big Brother house. Viewers also got the chance to hear from past housemates who were in attendance at the Lagos venue, as Bisola probed them on their relationships and ventures outside the house. A pair of performances followed, first with ‘Legbegbe’ crooner Mr Real thrilling viewers and then Kaffy and the Magneto Dance Crew performing expertly choreographed dance moves.

Another eviction was up next, as Alex was also evicted from the Big Brother Naija house. Following further performances by Dice Ailes and Kaffy, Tobi became the next housemate to be evicted leaving Miracle and Cee-C as the top two finalists.

After a very tense moment on stage, the venue erupted as Miracle Igbokwe was unveiled as the winner of Big Brother Naija: Double Wahala, with the Regional Director of M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu presenting a cheque for 25 million naira.

Miracle, has been a lucky one in the contest as he won many of the competitions put up. He emerged winner of the Big Brother Naija (Double Wahala) final wager challenge.

The lucky Big Brother Naija house mate, had earlier emerged winner of the season’s Payporte arena games challenge with a prize of N1 million. He also won the Pepsi Challenge, carting away the sum of one million naira. Miracle was again, lucky to have won N200,000 wager allowance after picking the box tagged number two. Miracle won the cash in a game contest with seven other Big Brother Naija house mates. They were all instructed by Big Brother to pick a box each labelled 1- 10. Big Brother, who presented the wager challenge as the simplest of the season, presented house mates with 10 suitcases with gift items in each of the boxes. Big Brother said one of the suitcases contained a cash reward and instructed house mates not to pick the suitcase containing the cash reward. He said if any of the house mates picked the suitcase containing the cash reward the house mate wins the cash reward but the house loses the wager. House mates were given two minutes to pick and open a box of their choice using the pin code 777. Miracle picked the box labelled number 2, which contained the money.

Speaking on the winner of this year’s ‘Double Wahala’ edition, last year’s winner, Efe congratulated Miracle. According to him, Miracle deserved to win as he was what the country needed. On his Twitter page, he wrote “Congrats Miracle… this is what the country clearly needed.”

Reacting, former Vice President Atiku on his Twitter page, congratulated Miracle, describing his win as a proof that Nigerian youths were innovative. Speaking on the reality show, Atiku encouraged Nigerian youths to keep believing in themselves, adding that the show depicted that youths had what it takes to take Nigeria to the next level.

• Big Brother Naija drama ends today

He wrote, “Congratulations to Miracle, winner of #BBNaija. Miracle is proof that Nigerian youths are hardworking, innovative and creative. May this victory lead to the miraculous for Nigeria’s youth who have shown that they have what it takes to help take this great nation of ours to the next level. To Nigeria’s youth I say, continue to believe in yourselves.”

Reacting, Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo of Gombe State said via his Twitter handle, “As Big Brother Nigeria comes to an end, I hope our ever hard working youths will join us in voter registration drive and encouraging other Nigerians to register. Go get your PVC.”

Popular business mogul and head of 5 Star Music, E Money, Paul of P Square, among other notable celebrities also took to social media to express their joy.

Don Jazzy, in a series of tweets posted after the announcement was made, wrote: “It’s a Miracle. #bbnaija 2018 WINNER! “Channel Closed – CC. On that note I hail CC’s fans sha #bbnaija.Oya please, let’s get back to work o. Let’s not be lazy nigerian youths. #bbnaija.”

The same way a MIRACLE won BBNaija in 2018, is the same way #LazyNigerianYourhs will MIRACULOUSLY decide in 2019. We did it with Miracle, we can do it with our votes Retweet to congratulate Miracle.Lazy Nigerians!

Miracle attended the International Aviation College and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology, Zaria. Newly graduated from the aviation school, Miracle had revealed that he is grateful for everything in life as he knows how financially difficult it was to get there. As to what he brought into the BB House, he said, “I want to bring confusion among the ladies.”

“What will you do with the prize money?”, he was asked; to which he said, “I’ll use part of the money to further my pilot training and the rest to help my family.”

Miracle, at the beginning of the show, was seen by many house mates as the weakest link, because of his unassuming and quiet nature. His confidence grew over the weeks and his romance with Nina swelled their fan base as a pair. The duo have vowed to continue their relationship after the show.

Other housemates who won prizes were Leo and Ifu Enada (Pepsi Roc Da Mat), Toni and Rico (Nokia presentation), Dano milk Mother’s Day award (Alex), Heritage Bank challenge (Tobi, Ifu Enada, Leo and Lolu).

The 85 days of BBNaija saw house mates go through intense behavioural adaptations associated with being confined to a restricted space in front of cameras, watched by the continent which lead to conflicts, romance, lessons in tolerance and various activities , all amied at developing/preparing them  for the future ahead.