A Nigerian has won the 10th anniversary final of LNK’s Voice of Lithuania project in 2023, held in the “Žalgiris” arena in Kaunas, faraway Northeastern Europe.
Anyanya Udongwo from Ibesit Nnung Ikot in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Nigeria broke all viewership records by winning the coveted prize worth €15,000 (₦7,475,505.62) established by LNK and a publishing contract with Universal Music Group.
The Voice of Lithuania (Lietuvos Balsas) is a Lithuanian reality show and part of international The Voice syndication.
Driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and a deep-rooted desire to heal others, he pursued a medical education at the esteemed National Medical University, Ukraine. He relocated to Lithuania when the war broke out in Ukraine.
Initially, he found it difficult to survive in Lithuania but kept pushing, and auditioned and won “The Voice Lithuania”, becoming the first black man to win the VOICE OF LITHUANIA.
Guided by an unwavering passion for music that burned within his soul, he fearlessly took to the stage of local bars and clubs, casting a spellbinding aura over every mesmerized listener fortunate enough to witness his awe-inspiring performances.
During the competition, the medical doctor-turned-singer floored nine other participants in the finals: the indefatigable rock music representative Kaspar Šimkevičius and the Lithuanian Janis Joplin Beata Beatriče Šiukaitė from the team of Ben Aleksandravičius, the delicate Alytis Vakare Jarmalavičiūtė and her compatriot Orestas Vyšniauskas.
Others were the professional soldier Maksimilian Drožin and the mysterious Sidas Gziozdova from Manto. Jankavičius’ team, the wall-shaking duo of Aurim and Dovydas and the delicate Elza Raubytė from Justin Jarutis’ team and the only colorful Gintare and Simas Buziliauskas who were in Monika Liu’s team.
During the outbreak of Ukrainian war, he left to live in Bucha, Lithuania, and the country became the first he dared to sing the travails of war.
During tiresome journeys from Ukraine, he rehearsed in a line next to the wall, stayed overnight at a gas station, saw regular loss of people.
The talented performer who endured many vicissitudes in Ukraine, shook the whole of Lithuania with electrifying song, declaring ‘‘I thank God, my family and the people of Lithuania.’’
He further stated, ‘‘Your support touched not only me, but also my family, who were hesitant about how I would be received in a foreign country.
“I am extremely grateful to the Lithuanians for their support and for how warmly they welcomed me. I’ll admit – your support moved not only me, but also my family, who were hesitant about how I would be received in a foreign country,” Udongwo opened up and promised, if favorable circumstances arise, to try to win Lithuania’s Eurovision someday.
“First of all, I thank God and my family. And, of course, I thank the people of Lithuania for their support – not only mine, but also the whole of Ukraine. We will win,” he did not hide his tears on stage.’’
