UoN Home of Talents 2nd edition
Prof. Hutchinson, the adjudicators and the UoN students who show cased
talent pose for a photo after the award ceremony at the Chandaria Auditorium
The University of Nairobi held its 2nd edition of Talents Day on Thursday December 9, 2021. Students and staff members were on the edge of their seats as they cheered on the participants showcasing their different talents.
53 participants were selected to showcase their talents following a vigorous audition process. Over 400 applicants were auditioned at the Faculty level during the search drive in order to secure themselves a place at the grand finale. The talents were categorized as Singing, Rapping, Art & Design, Instrumental Music, Poetry & Spoken Word. Modelling & Cat Walking, News Reading, Body Building, Comedy and Dance.
“We want you to ensure that you leave a mark everywhere that you can be traced; that you were serving in the student association, in the professional association and that you expressed your talents and opportunities were given to you when you were here. You express them to the best of your abilities like Ferdinand Omanyala; he has left a mark. Urged the Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen G. Kiama as he addressed students and staff at the Talents Day.
Prof. Kiama encouraged students and staff to pursue extra-curricular activities in addition to academics.
On his part, the Associate Vice-Chancellor, Academic Affairs, Prof. Julius Ogeng’o reaffirmed the University’s commitment to identifying and nurturing talents.
“We made a commitment to harness talent and in our inaugural talent day earlier this year, I pointed out that concentration of talents was one of the indicators of a world class University. And this is the second because we made the commitment to support this activity of harvesting talent and we have done so.”
The Talent Day started off on a high note with these strong words of encouragement from the Vice-Chancellor and the Associate Vice-Chancellor. Following shortly was Augustine Odero who presented an electrifying original song co-written with a friend.
A duo from the Faculty of Engineering performed Ed Sheeran’s Shiver while Margaret Wanjiku performed an original rap composition.
Department of Journalism, a 1st year student, Nevin Kiragu showcased intricate Art & Design work.
The instrumental music category included a flute rendition of silent night by Nivarna Bosibori, piano playing prowess by Zephania Murimi and Daniel Ingosi and Pardon Nguwa’s back to the classics was displayed by his skills on the saxophone.
A band of students from the Faculty of Business and Management brought the house down with their ‘Kasyoki’ performance.
In the modelling and cat walking category, Esther Muthoni, Faith Mukami, Ashley Wanja and Zelipha Maina left the audience wondering whether they were watching a show from the London, Milan and New York runways.
Jeremiah Muteti read the news as though he were an anchor at a local media house.
Francis Macharia displayed unbelievable strength and fitness with his body building skills.
The audience was left in stitches as soon as Gideon Onderi cracked some jokes.
Finally, Wekesa Brian moved fluidly to some Afrobeat music while a group of bloved dancers, Maun from Kikuyu Campus ended the Talent Day with two energetic dance showcases.
The judges expressed their mesmerization by the amount of talent that was on display, as they were awarding the winners and runners up in the 10 categories. They expressed that there was some difficulty in deciding the overall winners.
Indeed, the second edition of the students and staff talents day was an electrifying way to usher in the festive season.
The University of Nairobi stands by its commitment of going the extra mile in nurturing and promoting talents as anchored in the value system of people reforms.
