The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Big Brother Africa

  • Uti Nwachukwu rises to Cee-C’s defence

    The 2010 winner of the now rested Big Brother Africa reality show, Uti Nwachukwu, has posited that the road to self-control is often a horrid one. He was weighing in on BBNaija contestant, Cee-C’s Wednesday outburst.

    While admitting that there is no excuse for her behaviour he acknowledged that CeeC has flaws and weaknesses noting that she shouldn’t be judged by them.

    Recounting his days as a two-time contestant at the now rested Big Brother Africa reality show, Uti said that during his first outing in 2008, he was extremely brash. However, on his return in 2010, he came back a lot better.

    “Even after winning, my temper was still at dangerous levels and I knew there was a problem. Does this mean that I was a Bad horrible person? HECK NO! I grew and i am still growing! Most of us that wear our emotions on our sleeves find it hard to conceal Love, Loyalty, Excitement and of corse the worst emotion-RAGE! No one is perfect! Again, I am NOT JUSTIFYING HER BEHAVIOUR FROM YESTERDAY. No matter the poking or deliberate provocation, No one should react that way in public or in private.. BUT THIS CAN ONLY BE LEARNED THROUGH EXPERIENCE,” he wrote.

    According to Uti, although we try to be better versions of ourselves daily but during this process sadly, we might still fall.

    “The ability to rise is what makes us victors. Cee C we see you struggling to do better and in the process you fell..its all part of the process.its UR JOURNEY.. What saddens me more is the trolling/insults.A lot of u say she needs psychological help.so is this how u treat someone that needs help? With abuses/ridicule? COME ON!! WE CAN DO BETTER. FROWN UPON IT BUT DONT TROLL!! Its dehumanizing.Temper justice with mercy.Dont act like what you have been condemning,” Uti adds.

    On her behalf, he also pleaded for understanding, forgiveness and mercy, especially seeing as she has apologised.

  • Many questions about ‘Big Brother Naija’

    Many questions about ‘Big Brother Naija’

    Nigerians have vehemently criticised the fact that the ongoing Big Brother Naija is being held in South Africa instead of Nigeria which it focuses on.

    The reality show which started on Sunday, January 22, has a whole of South Africans on the team thereby discouraging Nigerians from following with interest.

    Questions Arising:

    It’s called “Big Brother Naija”

    Venue  – South Africa

    Paid cameramen – South Africa

    Accommodation (House) if leased, will be paid to a South African

    Security fees for housemates – South African Security company

    IT company – South African

    Food and drinks for housemates for 11 weeks will be bought in – South Africa.

    Generated income will develop South Africa Logistics

    TV show to be aired on South Africa cable TV (DSTV/GoTV)

    “It is sad to further emerging that the largest viewership is coming from Nigeria while the generated income is going to South Africa,” Says a Facebook user, Arthur.

    However, the media gathered on Tuesday that the Federal Government of Nigeria has ordered an investigation into why the show is holding in South Africa and not Nigeria as it is titled.

    Beyond Arthur more Nigerians are unhappy with the reality TV show organisers and they speak through Twitter while some others have moved on.

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  • Big Brother Hotshots: Nigeria’s Tayo, others for eviction…as two housemates get the boot

    Big Brother Hotshots: Nigeria’s Tayo, others for eviction…as two housemates get the boot

    After one-week of seeming familiarity among housemates, tension heightened, Sunday night, in the ongoing Big Brother Africa reality show tagged ‘Hotshots Edition’, after two housemates were evicted, leaving their cronies in tears.

    Such is the reality of the show, which has staked $300, 000 prize money on the would-be winner, following normal, but constructive backstabbing that will see many facing evictions until the last man standing.

    There was palpable silence as 12 housemates were asked to stand during the eviction on Sunday night. And as the first ‘hammer’ landed on Resa, a contestant from Zambia, her friend, Sipe, wept profusely.  While Resa felt unperturbed as she was asked to leave the house before joining the show host, IK, on the live stage for her interview, another female housemate, Esther, shouted: “I love you Resa.”  Although the evictee, with a wry smile, told IK that she was at peace with the turnout of events, she said she would miss Sipe the most.

    The second evictee, Mira, is the first to be associated with romance in the house. The Mozambican lady, who was initially thought to be shy, surprised many when she kissed Luis and Nhlanhla during the party on Friday. The scandal soon passed, as it was blamed on alcohol. Mira came to the ‘limelight’ again when her name was announced as second evictee. She lunged into Luis’ arms for the last embrace, kissing him, as the bespectacled young man cried and was comforted by Idris and Sipe.

    Hardly had the 24 remaining housemates retained their breathe from the eviction scare than Big Brother, the unseen lord of the game, invited them to the diary room for secret nomination for next week evictions. Called in alphabetical order, each housemate must nominate two others from the Green team, the group that had lost the Extravaganza contest the previous day. The team of 13 had the two Nigerian housemates, Tayo and Lilian, as members.

  • Big Brother Africa unveils more Hotshots

    Big Brother Africa unveils more Hotshots

    In fulfillment of their promise of unveiling the housemates in this year’s contest on a daily basis, M-Net and Endemol SA, producers of the Big Brother Africa reality TV show, have released the profiles of three more contestants. They are Ghana’s Kacey Moore, Tanzania’s Laveda and Zimbabwe’s JJ.

    Twenty-three-year-old Laveda, who holds a Bachelor of Arts & Social Sciences, was born in Dar Es Salaam. She described herself as “Eccentric, loving, caring, simple and fun.”

    Laveda is the eldest of three children and she has a younger brother and sister. She also described her mother as her role model “because she has moulded her over the years and inspired her in different ways through the struggles and joy of life.”

    Zimbabwe’s JJ, an entertainer, said he was inspired to enter for the contest because of the popularity of the platform. “It’s a necessary foundation for me to be able to produce my own music, even if I don’t win the money.”

    Moore, 29, is a poet and songwriter. He is married and has a daughter. He enjoys Banku and Okro stew, while his favourite books are the Bible, the Dictionary and the Thesaurus!

  • Big Brother Africa season 9 back Sept 7

    Big Brother Africa season 9 back Sept 7

    The continent’s biggest reality show, Big Brother Africa resumes for its ninth season on Sunday 7 September with the housemates competing for USD 300 000 prize.
    The ninth season dubbed Hotshots according to the organisers will have the housemates start the game in two ultra-glamorous houses which are built with magic, fun and mischief in mind.
    ” For 91 days, they will do their best to outshine each other in the hope of convincing Africa that they are the continent’s biggest Hotshot.
    “They will party like A-listers, rub shoulders with celebrity guest and face formidable challenges .”
    Commenting, M-Net Africa Regional Director (West Africa), Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said the viewers are in for almost as many surprises as the housemates.
    “We work hard to make each season of Big Brother Africa bigger than the last – and we have really upped the ante this year,” she adds.
    “Big Brother Hotshots is going to bring viewers exciting innovations, heart-stopping twists and uniquely African glamour, 24/7 for 91 days. Both fans and housemates are in for some unmissable television.”

  • Hotshots: BBA returns September

    Hotshots: BBA returns September

    In a couple of weeks, Africa’s biggest reality show, Big Brother Africa, BBA, will return for its ninth season from Sunday, September 7, with housemates who have hidden talents and adore the spotlight competing for a massive prize pot of USD 300, 000.

    The new season, which will be infused with more swag and glamour according to the organisers, will be known as Hotshots.

    M-Net Africa Regional Director (West Africa), Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said viewers would be in for almost as many surprises as the housemates. “We work hard to make each season of   Big Brother Africa bigger than the last, and we’ve really upped the ante this year. Big Brother Hotshots is going to bring viewers exciting innovations, heart-stopping twists and uniquely African glamour, 24/7 for 91 days.”

    According to her, the housemates will start the game, which will be hosted by Nigerian-born IK Osakioduwa for the sixth time, in two ultra-glamorous houses built with magic, fun and mischief in mind. While it lasts, the housemates will do their best to outshine one another in the hope of convincing Africa that they are the continent’s biggest Hotshot. “They will party like A-listers, rub shoulders with celebrity guests and face formidable challenges, while negotiating Biggie’s famous curve balls and twists,” she further disclosed.

    Produced by Endemol South Africa, the Big Brother Hotshots will run 24/7 on DStv channels 197 and 198, with the best of the live highlights on GOtv.

     

  • BBA auditions underway

    BBA auditions underway

    WITH auditions well underway across the 14 participating countries, organisers of the Big Brother Africa reality show have promised that this year’s season will impress with more drama, romance, intrigue and suspense.

    Sivan Pillay, Managing Director of Endemol, said it would be the most exciting season yet. “We have been producing the series since 2003; and to keep fans captivated, we have to evolve and this entails finding housemates with a little extra talent and swagger,” he said.

    According to him, as the shows fan base grows, the conversation on the social networks has also become more exciting. He added that during the eighth season, over six million fans interacted with Big Brother Africa via the Website, Twitter and Facebook, with the website generating just over 200 million impressions.

    “As a voter-driven show, the success of the Big Brother Africa brand relies heavily on audience engagement and our social media platforms allow for this to happen in real-time,” said M-Net Africa Regional Director (West Africa), Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu.

    “Every year, we expand the ways audiences interact and enjoy more premium entertainment. This year, even more people will be able to partake in the thrill of Big Brother via their mobile devices and on different platforms. The addition of Instagram, for instance, brings yet another exciting dimension and we look forward to sharing more entertaining content with our fans,” Wangi added.

    Big Brother Africa 9 will kicks off will on Sunday, September 7, and will be screened live on DStv channels, while the live highlights will be shown on Gotv.

  • Auditions open for BBA9

    Auditions open for BBA9

    •Rwanda joins race

    As the ninth edition of the reality series, Big Brother Africa, approaches, organisers of the contest, M-Net, has announced that auditions will take place at Protea Hotel Leadway, Ikeja, Lagos on Monday, June 30 and Tuesday, July 1.

    “We are very grateful and remain pleasantly surprised by the overwhelming response that the show has been receiving over the years. We look forward to the selection of our potential housemates coming in large numbers to audition at the specified venues and take that chance at being the next Big Brother star,” said M-Net Africa Regional Director (West Africa), Wangi Wa-Uzoukwu.

    She also stated that entries were open to the following 14 countries: Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

    Also, Nico Meyer, CEO, MultiChoice, said: “As MultiChoice Africa, we are always pleased to welcome each new season of Big Brother Africa onto our platforms and we applaud its amazing success and ability to bring together audiences from all across the continent.

    “The inclusion of Rwanda in this season is even more exciting as this displays that our reach and growth into the various sub-Saharan markets is going from strength to strength. We look forward to seeing further growth as well as the impressive social media presence that the show enjoys.”

    The 2014 edition of the competition kicks off in September. However, this year’s entry process is slightly different as potential housemates are invited to come in their numbers for auditions at venues in their respective countries.

    According to the organisers, the competition is open to persons above 21, who must be citizens of one of the participating countries and must have valid passports.

     

  • `Ofunneka Molokwu concentrates on home front

    `Ofunneka Molokwu concentrates on home front

    BIG Brother Africa 2007 Nigeria’s representative, Ofunneka Molokwu, is definitely savouring marital bliss. But the mother of one, who tied the nuptial knot with Professor Chika Anyanwu in 2010, doesn’t have the privilege to grant press interviews again. Ofunneka, who lives in far-away Australia where her hubby works as a lecturer at Finders University, South Australia, we gathered, has been advised by her hubby to face matrimonial matters rather than granting press interviews.

  • I found fame, fortune and life partner –Kevin Chuwang Pam

    I found fame, fortune and life partner –Kevin Chuwang Pam

    Kevin Chuwang Pam was the first Nigerian to win the television reality show, Big Brother Africa, dubbed Revolution in 2009. With his millions he became the Chief Executive Officer, Down2Earth Entertainment. The Jos, Plateau State-born graduate of University of Jos also married his fellow Tanzania’s housemate, Elizabeth Gupta and they have been blessed with a baby girl. He shared with Adetutu Audu his journey into stardom and life after BBA.

    HOW is life after BBA Revolution?

    Life is fun;being a family man, the baby and then more responsibilities. The experience is great. Just a few challenges which revolves around balancing the new lifestyle with principles that have always governed my life. I’m a family man now so it means more responsibilities and demands. As most people know we were blessed with a baby girl (Malaika) so the necessary adjustments are important to us so as to give her (and the ones to come) the best while pursuing our careers.

    What is happening to your music career now?

    For now I have put a hold on it. I am doing a talent reality show in Jos to sign on and discover new artistes on my label. I am leaving my dreams for now through other artistes, though my music is still on, but not in the forefront.

    You went into the BBA house and made Nigerians proud, not only that you got a wife. How would you describe the experience?

    Wonderful. I would say I am the most favoured housemate that BBA ever produced. I did not only win, I found fame, fortune and life partner. What more can I ask for?

    So what stood Elizabeth out among the housemates?

    Well you see qualities. When you are living with people you get to understand them and see who can fit into your own life. I just found a perfect pair for my kind of person.

    What would say is the challenge of marrying outside Nigeria?

    There are cultural differences that you need to understand and deal with. Basically, that is what you will learn to adjust. I won’t say it is a challenge really. One just needs to learn how to balance it. We are all Africans.

    Apart from the reality show, what other things are you doing?

    I run a NGO and of course business. I do entertainment consultancy. But so far, we have been working on our NGO (Naija Pikin) where we have been trying to see that the basic needs of the Nigerian/African child is met. We have done stuff like celebrating Malaika’s first year birthday with the refugees in Riyom, handing out relief materials to affected communities in the Jos crisis, celebrating Valentine’s Day with orphans etc. Besides all these, Elizabeth has made her debut in Nollywood as an actress.

    What is your view on reality shows?

    Reality show is a good platform, but I think there should be more mentorship for people who are going into the show. Most people go into the show and they don’t understand what life means after the show. They fall back and find it difficult. Reality shows generally is a great platform for people with great talents.

    What does it take to be the winner?

    Believe in yourself, hope, prayer, favour. One minute of favour can take you where 10 years of hard work cannot.

    Before Big Brother Africa Show, who were you?

    When I completed my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2006, I pushed my CV out but did not bother to follow-up actively. I relocated to Abuja trying to do music shows like I used to do when I was a student at the University of Jos. We did different shows. We got support from some people, some of which we never paid back completely. From Abuja, I ran to Lagos where I met Ice-Prince, then M.I. Ice-Prince had contacts with all those big people in. So I did my first music job in Lagos and a jingle. The job got me busy for a while, then I heard about the Big Brother Africa audition, and went.

    You have attended several auditions and failed, what kept you pressing on even after being rejected several times?

    I wanted to be famous, so Big Brother was the show for me. I was determined and bent on going there. It was like ‘get rich or die trying’. I knew that a show like Big Brother would put me on the list. I couldn’t see myself working in an office. It was not a good option for me. It’s boring for me and I don’t like sitting in one place for too long.

    Was money your driving force?

    No! I just went to show my talent and I went there praying for a garment of favour, and believe me, it was not the money that sustained me. It was favour. The money was small, though it sounds big. The money was given in front of the whole world, everybody knows and sees you. The more money you see, the more problem you see.