The 2015 edition of Yoruba Got Talent has been judged the best out of the last three years’ editions by participants and audience alike.

The venue once again was the Draíocht Arts Centre in Blanchardstown for the competition started by Kunle Animashaun of the Association of Ogun State Indigenes in Ireland (AOSII) to encourage young people of Yoruba heritage to embrace and identify with the culture and heritage of their parents.

This year Animashaun was assisted by Dele Azeez in putting together the event that welcomed as guest of honour local TD, Minister for Social Protection and Tánaiste Joan Burton.

Following the minister’s opening address, the evening kicked off with a group performance by all contestants of a drama dance to the tune of ‘Shekini’ by Nigerian R&B duo P-Square.

Unity was something of a theme throughout the evening, which included representatives of Igbo and Indian culture. Eleven-year-old Rasajna Marepalli dazzled the crowd with her dexterity as she performed a classical Indian dance.

And Hanumantha Rao Marepalli delivered a short speech about the importance of immigrant children embracing their family’s cultural heritage.

The Igbo Union was present with a large contingent including the Onyendu, Chief Greg Umeh. In his speech, the polyglot held the audience rapt as he spoke in Igbo and Yoruba.

But the talent contest was the focus of the evening, and Oluwaposi Anwo emerged as this year’s winner – taking home first price of a state-of-the-art 17-inch laptop.

Serena Haneefa Balogun received special recognition as Yoruba Got Talent youth ambassador, while a ‘well done’ was offered to AOSII project director Olasunkanmi Talabi, who left no stone unturned to see that this year’s event was a success.