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Nigerian reality TV show suspended after contestant's death

Last Updated: Monday, August 6, 2007 | 2:01 PM ET

CBC Arts

The latest edition of a popular Nigerian reality TV show has been put on hold after the death of a contestant.

Nigerian Breweries, the local subsidiary of Dutch firm Heineken and main sponsor of the program Gulder Ultimate Search, announced on Monday it had suspended until further notice this season's show.

The new season had been set to begin on Thursday.

A 25-year-old contestant, identified as Anthony Ogadje, died suddenly on Saturday in what appeared to be a drowning accident, the company said in a statement.

At the time, Ogadje and the nine other contestants were preparing for the start of shooting at Shere Hills Lake in Jos, Plateau State, located in the east-central region of Nigeria.

"All attempts to revive him by the attendant medical team and lifeguards, including his fellow contestants, failed," Nigerian Breweries said.

Ogadje's family has been informed and an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death, the company added.

A local hit for the last few years, Gulder Ultimate Search pits 10 contestants against one another in various physical challenges and tasks. Gulder is the name of a beer produced by the brewery.

Each week, the weakest performers are evicted until only one person remains and wins the grand prize: five million naira (about $41,400) in cash, a new car and and additional 500,000 naira (about $4,140) for a clothing allowance. Past winners have also attracted sponsorship deals resulting from their instant celebrity status after finishing the program.

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