The 2017 Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North king’s crown winner Mr Nationwide Travel Services Limited, Joji Vuinamu dedicated his win to his maternal grandparents.

The 19-year-old of Vunidagoloa, Savusavu, said his grandparents Joji Vuinamu and Vilimaina Ravesi brought him up since he was born.

“I don’t know who my father is and I am still searching for him,” Mr Vuinamu said.

“My mother left me with her parents and they had been nurturing me and helping me to be where I am today.

“I am shocked and can’t feel my legs because I didn’t expect to win this crown,” he said.

“My fellow contestants were talented and I considered them much better than me.

I never consider others above myself because, I feel everyone is beautifully made by God.”

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) member quoted Proverbs chapter 19 verse 21 from the Bible after being crowned before the crowd at Subrail Park in Labasa that ‘many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails’.

“As humans we make mistakes but we can turn to correct them.

“I would like to thank my sponsor for the support.

“Also I would like to thank HQ Brothers for helping me put up the talent show.

“HQ is a small group of boys of similar background like mine and we formed it during our high school days at Shiri Guru Nanak Khalsa College in Labasa.

“My message to the people of the North is to let us work together hand in hand and help sustain Labasa a beautiful place to stay.”

Meanwhile, Mr Northern Charity Alliance Ratu Baleiwai Uate was the first runner up and Mr Personality award was taken up by Mr Pioneer Security Services Jone Draunibaka.