JUST when you think Nigerian government is through with an issue it considers serious, momentary impulse brings back the same old matter only for us to see how inconclusive we are with several matters. It is in the same manner that most elections have not been smooth sailing.
The Minister of Information’s strong desire to transform the creative industry into a creative economy is obvious since assuming office, but his desire alone cannot turn things around overnight. This is evident from the fact that he had met several brick walls on some of his good plans.
For instance, inability to get the National Theatre running for the just held Africa Movie Academy Award, AMAA, despite collaborating with Lagos State Government comes to mind. It is in the same manner that the Motion Picture Practitioners Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) bill, for which he set up a review committee, is yet to see the light of the day.
It is important to sit back, digest the complexity of the entertainment industry, and study the Acts before making blanket statements that breed unnecessary tirades that make fun of genuine intentions.
When the Federal Government said, last Saturday, that whatever we consume in Nigeria in terms of music and films, must be made in Nigeria, it was Alhaji Lai Mohammed speaking passionately and personally about patriotism, but his personal desire wasn’t in synch with creativity and the liberty that independent producers have on choice locations.
“This government has agreed that henceforth, we cannot continue to go to South Africa or any other country to produce our films and then send them back to be consumed in Nigeria,” he said.
This was clearly a gaffe, leading to insults from people whose anger was more pronounced along political divide.
But now that the Minister has rephrased his statement, and narrowed perceived transgressions to Nigeria branded shows like the last Big Brother Naija (BBN) and the ongoing The Voice Nigeria music reality show, which, like the former, is being shot in South Africa, one can only say, the rephrase makes sense.
However, I am of the opinion that rather than make patriotic pronouncements that sound draconian, we can make more sense if government uses its might to put up structures that naturally will lobby the market force in a way that it would be a business folly to shoot reality shows outside Nigeria.
For example, I like the idea the Minister’s plan to establish a one million dollar Venture Capital to boost the creative industry. I like the idea of the Creative Industry Summit, which, in structure and format appears to be the best kind of referendum ever experienced in the entertainment sector. I like the FG MoUs with Tony Elumelu Foundation, Bank of Industry and the British Council for the creative sector. I like the plan to revive the National Endowment Funds for the Arts. I like the proposed plan to overhaul the National Theatre. I like the fact that international treaties are a possibility now that the entertainment industry is under the Ministry of Culture. I like the Innovation Distribution Fund segment of the Project ACT Nollywood grant, albeit if implemented from a very shrewd approach. In all, I like ideas that provide enabling environment for creativity to thrive.
However, I think that not to encourage international competition is a defeatist attitude, even if our creatives are shooting for the local market. Unfortunate for this type of mindset, the world is already a global village and like they say, with a sense of priority for the Nigerian product, there is need to ‘Glocalise’.
Based on current realities, I maintain, just like I did during the hot debate about shooting Big Brother Naija in South Africa that Multichoice was right in their business decision. Anyone in their shoes would do the same.
After all, the Broadcasting Code and the Advertising Code say that for you to classify a product as a Nigerian product, it must have a certain percentage of Nigerian content.
I guess that this clause was what stalled the investigations that the Minister asked Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC, to conduct while the last BBN was running.
How could the NBC have found fault with Multichoice when all housemates were Nigerians; when the popular Big Brother Voice was that of a Nigerian; when the series Director, Gbenga Kayode is a Nigerian and Nigeria-trained; when head of content and about nine other members of his team were Nigerians; when Title sponsor, Payporte is a Nigerian online retail company; when foods, drinks, fabrics, decors, props are largely from Nigeria; when English, pidgin, and other Nigerian languages were permitted on the show; when Nigeria’s major language interpreters were engaged on the show; when all the eviction live show performers were Nigerian artistes; when all the coaches/mentors brought on the show were Nigerians; and the prize money of 25 million that went to Efe was in Naira.
If the Minister decides to get NBC to amend the Broadcasting Code by saying Nigeria-branded shows like Big Brother Naija (if Naija is Federal Government copyrighted at all) and The Voice Nigeria must be produced in Nigeria without having a competitive studio and relevant infrastructures in place, we would only have succeeded in teaching the likes of Multichoice a new business trick.
Supposing they decide to drop Naija and bring back Big Brother Africa. I don’t see how this makes any difference knowing that Nigerian housemates always hold sway with great followers that help popularize the show on the continent. What about if The Voice Nigeria is simply called The Voice just so it can be shot in South Africa?
Looking at it critically, where you shoot a reality show is not as important as the number of Nigerians and the value of ‘Nigerianess’ in the show. Indeed, we need to get less emotional and be pragmatic.
Reacting to criticism arising from his recent statement that ‘any programme to be consumed by Nigerians must be produced in Nigeria’, Minister of Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said on Wednesday that he has been misunderstood by critics.
”I didn’t say that henceforth, all music videos and films will be produced in Nigeria, or that the production of music videos or films outside Nigeria will be banned. All I said was that if a programme is designated as a Nigerian (local) content programme, we will amend the Code to ensure that it is produced in Nigeria,” he said, adding: ”On that, there is no going back.”
Mohammed who said he was not appointed Minister to develop the economy of other countries at the expense of the Nigerian economy, pointed out that the creative industry’s potential of creating 1 million jobs in three years cannot be realized if jobs meant for Nigerians are being exported to other countries under the guise of producing, in other countries, programmes to be consumed in Nigeria.
The Minister recalled how his office was bombarded with calls from concerned Nigerians when the last edition of the ”Big Brother Naija” was produced in South Africa, saying he subsequently directed the National Broadcasting Commission to investigate the circumstances surrounding the controversy.
”Following the findings, we decided to amend the relevant sections of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code to prevent a repeat of that development. We are now in the process of doing that, so that anyone who intends to produce a reality show or similar programmes for Nigerians cannot take the production of such shows outside Nigeria.
”Nigerians are a very proud and resourceful people, and we are sure that no Nigerian will be against a decision to prevent the jobs that can be done in Nigeria by Nigerians from being exported to other countries,” he said.
In a related development, Alhaji Mohammed has said the Broadcasting Code is also being amended to help develop the local football league.
”This (amendment) is not just about the Creative Industry. We are also going to ensure that the NBC Code is amended in a manner that if any company in Nigeria today invests a million dollars in promoting or supporting any (football) team or league outside Nigeria, I want the Broadcasting Code to be amended to the effect that it will not allow that programme to be aired unless that company supports the Nigerian League with a percentage that will not be less than 30 per cent of what was spent.
”This is because we cannot continue to develop the economies of the other parts of the world from the sweat of Nigerians and at the expense of the Nigerian economy,” the Minister said.
Winner of Big Brother Naija, Efe Ejeba, has been touring. The Delta State indigene visited The Nation newspaper and he spoke about his project of raising funds to treat 200 children with congenital heart conditions and other issues. JOE AGBRO JR was there. Excerpts
SINCE you won the BBN reality shows, you’ve been meeting with top people including governors and also receiving awards. How does this feel?
Two things. I’ve not met with governors. I’ve met with two governors – the governor of Plateau State and the governor of Delta State – which are my two homes. It’s obligatory that I meet with them. Secondly, nobody has given me awards.
After Big Brother, how do you intend to use this brand to encourage the dreamers we have around in Nigeria?
I think it’s just to do what I know how to do best.
What is it?
It’s music. Music has been what I’ve been doing for the past seven years. I started recording in 2010 and while I was in Jos. I left Jos as an elite artiste but the hunger for more brought me to Lagos in 2015. So, as Big Brother came, I said, ‘this is a big platform to showcase myself.’ If I didn’t go on Big Brother and I came here, no one would answer me.
Now, I came and you’re answering me. I’m just someone that has perseverance. I don’t give up. I finished my final year exams and in about two weeks, I packed my bags and came to Lagos. I was just waiting for school to finish. My mother wanted me to go to school and I gave her the certificate and took a walk. So, I came to Lagos, not knowing anybody. I gathered the money I made from my music in Jos and used it to pay for house rent and started life. I would be at home for one week atimes, I won’t go out because I didn’t know anybody in Lagos.
I just had that drive, that belief that one day, it would happen. I didn’t know how it would happen but today that is how it is. For me, I just feel that every youth should keep doing what they know how to do best and stay focus. That’s why I have three things as my mantra – You gotta believe in God, number two, believe in yourself and number three, you die put.
What about the awareness you’re trying to create of people donating one thousand naira?
For me, my life is divine. Expectations are very high. Some people feel that by now, I should be signing a lot of endorsement deals but I go by God. I see it as a very fortunate scenario that the first ambassadorship I belong to is charity. So, I put in my best with the influence I have. But I’m scared because when it gets to the real deal of actually contributing, it’s difficult.
The conversion rate is I have about 400, 000 followers on twitter, donating one thousand naira. But that’s the level I want to know how my influence is positive. That’s the only I measure how influential. So the 1K1M is a simple stuff. We need one thousand naira to be donated by one million individuals. That’s the least. You can donate like five thousand because it’s for open heart surgery for children in Nigeria. By September, we look to have raised one billion naira if one million Nigerians donate one thousand naira. But they can donate more. Some people are sending me screenshots that they’ve donated more than one thousand naira and it’s encouraging me that this is a good cause. I grew up in Jos and sometime ago, I heard people did open heart surgeries for children and I was actually happy.
So when they brought this stuff on board, I connected with the organisation. I’m very passionate about it. And this program covers only 200 children and we have about 1, 000 children on the waiting list. So, it is that bad. And about 85, 000 children are born with congenital defects every year in Nigeria. Just Nigeria. And for me, my brand is even beyond Nigeria. But for now, I’m focused on Nigeria.
Efe before BBN and Efe after BBN, what are the challenges you’ve had to face?
There are many now. Before, if I felt my urinating, I’ll just find one corner. I can’t actually buy boli again. It’s been long I bought akara. It’s been very annoying. Even my clothes, I can’t go to buy it. If I go to the boutique after the seller has taken pictures with me, he’ll now increase the price of what I want to buy. It’s tough.
Before, I used to say how I feel but now, I’m reminded that I’m responsible for 14 million people that voted for me. So, I can’t just talk how I feel even if it’s the truth. I have to diplomatic now. That’s the most painful thin for me because I like to be frank. But now I have to be cautious because some people may feel offended when I say what’s on my mind. That has really limited my level of expression.
But you’re also an ambassador for Nigerian youths. What are your duties?
It’s not actually a statutory position with duties and status. It’s more like you’re representing Nigerian youths as the ‘most popular youth.’ You have an obligation to work side by side with government. To the best of my ability, I’m definitely coming up with programmes to herd the youths in the right direction, with the support of the ministry.
Don’t these things put pressure on you?
Yes, it does. I’m human, I won’t lie. But for me, the only pressure I feel is the expectation from people. People say, ‘by now you would have done these, you would have done that.’ They don’t know that it’s a gradual process. Efe was just a normal guy. I’m now a brand and I need structures.
And that’s why I’ve been going around. People think I’m enjoying myself. I go for meetings and try to set the ball rolling so that one year from now, Efe will still be very much relevant. And thank God for my music which is a very sure content I will dish out. And by the way, my video for the song, ‘Based on Logistics’ will drop very very soon. So, after ‘based on Logistics’ video is out, I’m dishing out two singles back to back as e dey hot.
What were the indications to show that Big Brother Naija was actually watched by other African countries?
I’ve been getting a lot of feedback from my social media handles. And we get calls too from people outside of Nigeria. I just responded to somebody from Namibia. Zambia is actually expecting me, South Africa, Kenya. Just round the whole of Africa. It’s surprising to me the love we get. It shows Nigeria is really the giant of Africa. Our voice is loud.
While you were in the BB house, you and Marvis were an item. What is the status of your relationship with her now?
This is like two months after the house. For me now, it’s progressive. I like to talk about my music and the things I’ve been doing currently. For me and Marvis, we’re very good friends.
But who among the housemates are you still very close with?
I’m still close with everybody as much as possible because there is no time and everyone is hustling. As I’m here at The Nation office, another person can even be in America hustling. Na forward ever bi di movement. I’m just actually happy that everyone is doing fine. I think this our set will really prove a point that everyone that goes to Big Brother don’t leave and not do well. And I pray that in as much as we’re moving ahead, we remember who we are and where we’re coming from.
While you were on the show, a segment of Nigerians criticised the show negatively, saying you people were promoting ills. What is your response to this?
This is about two months after the show. ‘How many of us have you actually heard that have left the house be involved in immoral display of character’? On a serious note, I’m very proud of my fellow housemates. We’re doing pretty well. No one will go into that house (BBN) and come out and play. We are hungry. So, on a note of ills, that house just portrayed what happens in reality. It was just because we were doing it behind closed doors.
And like I said in one interview, for me, it was in that house that I really knew God more and appreciate his wonders. Everybody shouts grace, I saw it, literarily. I’m a manifestation of grace. So, we can find God anywhere. It doesn’t matter. All those people talking ills know what happens behind closed doors. No need to starting shouting. We went to the house to live our true lives day and night.
Now, as Youth Ambassador for Nigeria, what is foremost that you’ll like to impact?
Formally, I’m still planning that. But the whole idea is self-development. Because, I don’t actually believe in waiting for anybody, not to even talk of the government in the first place. For instance, if you road is not tarred, if you have the money, you can tar it. No need to waste your credit calling the government, that’s the way I see it. Right from my 200 level in the university, I didn’t plan to look for work. I just wanted to do music, entertainment.
So I focused my energy there. But not everyone can do what I did. So, if you want to look for a job, find it well. That’s why they say, it’s to be focused that matters. But self-development is the best thing. You might be thinking this is where your path is but if you keep working on yourself, researching, you’ll get better. That’s why school is very important. Unfortunately, it’s not everyone that can go to school. But there are even handiworks and different things one can do aside schooling.
But I think self-development is one of the most important thing you need to know. It gives you self-confidence, it makes you believe in yourself and it makes you be not scared of making mistakes because the first problem we have is the fear to make mistakes. When I got up to go for this audition, you could say the judges would reject you but you’ll say if they don’t allow you enter, it’s not the end of the world. You move on. If you don’t make it, you go back to the drawing board. If you make it, you move forward. Ahead ahead, na im bi de way.
For there is no guilt in humans, all there is, is love. Bisola, as you leave tonight, may genuine love find you. May you prosper beyond your imagination. You are a gold fish… you are a gold fish; there will be no hiding place for you.
Miyonse got distracted by T-Boss and thus ceded the glory of the kitchen to Uriel. If beauty was a talent, T-Boss could have rivalled Bisola to it. However, marketing her body on the show gave her the number three spot, and that could help her further…
I do not know for how long N25million will last, I do not know for how long the Kia Seranto SUV will last in the face of the best auto maintenance, but I know that away from these two items, talent is an investment worthy to command even more.
Without fear of contradictions, Efe did not exhibit any unique talent in the house. His Unique Selling Points (USPs) included his fluent use of pidgin English, absolute loyalty to his team, and as a regular winner of games and puzzles, he became Head of House several times, and thus, the game beamed more lights on him in a frontal roles. If his claim to musical talent is anything to go by, I’m afraid he was nowhere near Marvis in the rap fluidity.
CocoIce did more of cigarette smoking than her music in the house; Debie-Rise became a nuisance with her guitar and was nowhere close to Bisola in sonorous delivery and freestyling. Bassey sprang a surprise with his voice and how fast he was able to learn the guitar from Debie-Rise. Soma could have pulled more strings, but he left before the show fans could feel his ‘rhymes’. Miyonse got distracted by T-Boss and thus ceded the glory of the kitchen to Uriel. If beauty was a talent, T-Boss could have rivalled Bisola to it. However, marketing her body on the show gave her the number three spot, and that could help her further in the field of modelling and advertisement. For Bally, who was lazier than the girls in all the tasks, but was favoured by providence, his radio voice could make a way for him.
Bisola was obviously the most talented of all the Big Brother Naija housemates, and if voting was based on the entertaining capabilities of the contestants, and devoid of sentiment, she would have won with landslide victory. But no! The multi-talented entertainer and less educated of all housemates got to a second spot, far from the voting record of the winner.
This is one of the reasons that organisers of most reality shows don’t leave talent judgement entirely to fans.
The Big Brother Naija experience even went beyond imagination as politicians were said to not only canvass for votes for their indigenes, but shared recharge cards to their communities to enable them vote for sons/daughters of the soil.
As the game soared to its peak, some of us knew that Bisola was not going to win, as sentiment was seen to have taken over.
There was no doubt that Biggie, who saw through all the housemates knew what talent Bisola embodies, such that his last diary session with the single mother was so emotional that she wept uncontrollably.
Here is what Biggie said to her that made her to cry even more:
“It’s been an amazing experience having you in the house – your versatility, your incredibility. Yes, there have been moments you have told big Brother that certain things you have done and may have said, that you wish to take them back; but who can judge you, except they have been through this experience themselves. It’s always good to find out why people do what they do. That curiosity leads to understanding, and understanding opens up the human souls to compassion, and compassion is the cornerstone of love.
For there is no guilt in humans, all there is, is love. Bisola, as you leave tonight, may genuine love find you. May you prosper beyond your imagination. You are a gold fish… you are a gold fish; there will be no hiding place for you. All the good things will locate you. You can sing, you can act… the question is not what can Bisola do? It is what can’t Bisola do? Big Brother has truly enjoyed your stay in the house and wishes you all the very best in your future endeavor. You’ve got a Midas touch, go touch anything a d it will turn to gold. Good luck to you…”
And true to what Bisola told Biggie at the beginning of the diary session that win or lose; “I feel like a winner already,” she is indeed the biggest winner on the show.
As the winner of the ONE campaign presentation, Bisola will be joining Honorable Desmond Elliot, Sarah Makka and other ambassadors of the ONE campaign initiative on a trip to New York where she will be speaking further at the United Nations Assembly on the importance of the girl-child education.
This is just as her fans cannot wait for an explosive outing on the movie and music scene going forward.
Popular Comedian ‘AY’, real name Ayo Makun and his celebrity friends in the entertainment industry, thrilled their fans with a superlative performances in a live comedy show tagged ‘AY LIVE’.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that, it was a pumped up night at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, venue of the staged show on Easter Sunday.
From the biggest names in entertainment, corporate world to comedy and music lovers, all came to have a good Easter celebration time and party at the AYLIVE.
The main venue, Eko Hotels and Suites was jam packed and corridors adorned with blue carpet
Tickets, regulars, VIP and VVIP and a million naira-priced tables were sold out.
“The AYLive has definitely been one show I look forward to during Easter holidays,” popular Actress Adesua Etomi told NAN.
“I’m here to have fun, laugh, listen to good music and make the best of this holiday break,” she said.
Similarly, Actress Grace Amah said that she came to have fun and watch every act perform.
A rich lineup of acts were expected to come out and give fans a show and they didn’t disappoint.
Comedians, Kenny Blaq, Osama, came through with their aura of distinctive stage persona, making beautiful comedy music and cracking jokes at the same time.
Also comedians Pencil and Ajebutter were armed with their voice earned a resounding applause from the audience at every round of their performance.
Freeze and AY were official hosts for the evening, while DJ Consequence provided the music.
Big Brother Naija contestants, Efe (winner), Bisola, CoCo Ice Thin Tall Tony, Kemen, Debbie Rise, Uriel, Ese, Soma, T-Boss, and others were present.
Housemates, CoCo Ice and Soma performed their songs, bringing the energy to warm up the crowd for more exciting performances to come.
Singer Tekno thrilled the crowd with his sheer energy and range of crowd favourite songs, as Davido came through with ‘Dami duro’ with fireworks all over the stage.
Davido also performed his classics and his reigning song ‘IF’ to the joy of the fans and the audience went wild.
Efe Ejeba, winner of the just concluded Big Brother Naija reality TV show has reportedly gotten himself involved in a social media mess.after his Instagram account unfollowed all his fans and supporters leaving four celebrities and one sponsor of the entertainment show he won a few days ago.
The BBNaija winner, who had over 2000 followers, allegedly unfollowed all his fans and supporters leaving only four celebrities; @funkejenifaakindele, @baddosneh, @official2baba, @annieidibia1, and sponsor of the entertainment show, @payporte he won a few days ago.
Angry fans of the new celebrity went on the rampage on social media showing their displeasure at such act describing it as “pride”.
However, facts reveal that the controversy is unfounded claiming that the handle, @efemoney, has always had the same number of followers even before joining the reality TV show.
As at the time of filing this report, no official statement has been released both from Efe and his social media team.
Former Presidential spokesman to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Reuben Abati on Tuesday revealed lessons learnt from the just concluded reality TV show, Big Brother Naija.
The former presidential spokesman also touched the bad effects of the reality show on Nigeria’s family value and Nigeria as a whole.
In his article, Abati noted that although the show promoted the idea of choice, people’s power at the heart of democracy, stressing that the conclusion of the over 70 days show was a relief
He added that it should not be aired again because it promoted prostitution, nudity, chiefly adultery, love of money, and sex.
Read the full article below:
What a relief! So, the Big Brother Naija reality television programme is finally over. It ended Sunday evening with 23-year old Efe Michael Ejemba, University of Jos graduate of Economics and singer winning the N25 million + SUV at stake, with 57.6% of the votes from over 24 million voters across Africa. Warri, where Efe’s family lives, erupted in excitement. At the Multichoice viewing centre in Ikeja, Lagos, where Katung Aduwak took charge so brilliantly, there was a similar eruption of incandescent joy. I was relieved because, for about 70 days, the Big Brother Naija show was a big distraction, crass capitalism at its most cynical edge, a source of unmanageable madness in homes and on the streets. Now that it is over, it is time for some honest frank talk for the attention of all stakeholders involved.
Let me start with the lessons, on a positive note, before delivering the blows. Lesson one: In a very instructive manner, the Big Brother Naija reality television show promoted the ideas of choice and people power at the heart of democracy. Televised across Africa, the viewers had the final say in determining who stayed in the house or left during eviction moments on Sundays.
The votes were collated, audited and confirmed by Deloitte, a firm of auditors and thus, the viewer as the voter-determined the outcomes. In that regard, a reality show of that sort promoted a consciousness of democracy, choice and influence and it further explained why the people from Nigeria to Cape Agulhas all the way up to the Mediterranean sea took fierce ownership of the programme. In a continent where power is the ultimate aphrodisiac and every access to power, fame and influence is seen as an opportunity to oppress and demean, whatever is done to promote a consciousness of choice and the civil society is laudable. Multichoice, thanks.
L-R: Wangi Mba-Uzokwu, Regional Director, M-net West Africa; Michael Efe Ejeba, winner of BBNaija Season 2; Fela Ibidapo, Group Head, Corporate Affairs, Heritage Bank; John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria and Eyo Bassey, Chief Executive Officer, Payporte during the presentation
Lesson Two: in every business concept, perseverance pays. Multichoice has been running its Big Brother Naija and Big Brother Africa concepts for a number of years. Apparently, this year’s Big Brother Naija has been the most impactful, the most profitable and probably also, the most exciting. In one week, over 11 million persons voted to determine the eviction. In the final week of the programme, over 24 million persons voted – that is more than the total number of persons who voted in the Nigerian Presidential election in 2015. This year, Multichoice has made more money from the Big Brother franchise than it has ever done. The programme was sponsored by PayPorte, and with all the voting, and the money spent on recharge cards, Big Brother and Multichoice are the biggest winners. In the end, it is all about business and profit. Everybody has been used. In business, once you have a good, attractive product and you can capture the market, you can fool everybody and make profit. Multichoice, weh done – in Falz, the bad guy’s voice.
[quote font_size=”18″ font_style=”italic” color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#ddbc87″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]Lesson three: humility pays. At the end of the day, in the last week of the programme, the decision by the viewing public was a moral, sentimental one. The biggest star of the programme was, I don’t know what you think, TBOSS (real name: Tokunbo Idowu), half Nigerian, half-Romanian. She dominated the space with her Jezebelic antics, even got some of the male participants ousted by entrapping and outsmarting them with her sexual wiles. She projected herself as a sex object, the ultimate manipulator, the champion Delilah of the Big Brother Africa series. She even made a joke of the entire Big Brother concept by saying she didn’t need the money and if she won, she would spend it in two weeks to pay off debts, and in any case, she had men hitting on her, offering to take her on a ride in their private jets. She played the role of a female barracuda.[/quote]
Given her looks and talents, she would have been a perfect winner. She would have looked good on the billboards. But she lost because of her arrogance. Attitude is everything: this is the lesson of TBOSS’s disgrace and humiliation. When she was sent out of the House as the second runner-up, the viewing centre in Ikeja, Lagos, including Kemen whose nemesis she was, danced in joy. “They are taunting me?” she asked Ebuka, the anchor. No, sweetheart, they were making a far more serious statement about you. The melodramatic ending of Big Brother Naija 2017 is its only redeeming outcome.
Bisola, the first runner up does not even have a degree but she showed talent and resolve, even if her whorish flirtation with Thin Tall Tony is so cheap and self-denigrating. Her One-Nigeria consolation prize is something big she should take seriously.
[quote font_size=”18″ font_style=”italic” color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#ddbc87″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]Efe won because of his humility. He is considered the poorest and the most needy of the contestants. Patrons of the programme chose to vote for the contestant who looked and sounded like he would need the money and the opportunity. They gave him a chance in life, although the organisers must ensure that going forward, the show does not become a poverty alleviation scheme. Bisola came second because she too looked like she needed help. Debbie Rise and Marvis also made the finals, but that was meant to be a great compliment to their good conduct, but they didn’t have enough support to make it to the top.[/quote]
TBOSS is the main star who lost. I hope she was taken out of South Africa with a private jet or maybe a submarine! Beauty is not everything, baby.
TBoss, Bisola, ThinTallTony and Gifty
Lesson four: Marketing helps. Branding is everything. Propaganda is profitable. Packaging is nice. Big Brother Naija is nothing but marketing, branding, propaganda, and packaging. A reality show is supposed to be nothing but reality, virtual reality as it happens, but let no one deceive you, everything that happened in the 70 days of BBNaija was packaged, marketed, carefully branded and manipulated. Ebuka, the Big Brother, thumbs up, the scenic designers, kudos, the content developers, three hearty cheers, Multichoice, you guys are the smartest capitalists around, well done! The finale was a bit overdone though, dragged out, over-delayed. Tiwa Savage (hey baby, watch that growing fat around your waist and thigh), Tuface (thanks, TuBaba but next time tell Annie to twerk for us- what was that!). In all, the power of television was well advertised.
Now the hard knocks: I rate the theatre high but I consider the whole show a sham, a 419 manipulative effort by a corporate agency, long overdue for an ethical review and scrutiny, a bad influence on corporate ethics. The owners of the programme are just a bunch of insultive, manipulative and exploitative capitalists, feeding on public need for distraction and the negligence of the authorities. Big Brother Naija 2017 is something that should never happen again in the shape we have seen. If Multichoice as a corporate investor wants to make a contribution to Nigeria, it must find ways of doing so in more meaningful forms.
Reality shows have become an established form on television, but whereas there are reality shows that promote talent, music, human capability and genius, enhanced relationships, and intellect, Multichoice, through its Big Brother Naija and Big Brother Africa franchises seems committed to the promotion of base values, chiefly adultery, prostitution, love of money, nudity and sex. What just ended as Big Brother Naija 2017 was nothing other than the corralling of some human beings into a zoo, pressured to behave like nothing but animals. The organisers made money devaluing other human beings.
[quote font_size=”18″ font_style=”italic” color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#ddbc87″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]Multichoice and Payporte, the sponsors, turned alcohol and pornography into a legitimate sport.[/quote]
TBOSS and the other girls kissed and got groped by the boys on live television putting their upbringing to shame. TBOSS, who claimed she didn’t need the money even exposed her breasts on live television more than once. I have seen better breasts TBOSS. I am not too sure those private jet owners will be excited by your fluffy, South-looking, slightly bigger than mangoes breasts. If the same men see bigger assets, I mean, those interesting Ojiakor-like ones that look like papayas, pineapples and watermelons, they will not send private jets, they will deploy submarines and fighter jets! And that ‘s why you got N500k in the end, way back behind Bisola with her hard facial features, and Efe whose victory is based on poverty logistics and appeal. But I have no doubt that TBOSS will end up doing better in the larger, outside market than the other finalists, because even those who did not vote for her, know in their hearts that she represents the message of the programme.
[quote font_size=”18″ font_style=”italic” color=”#000000″ bgcolor=”#ddbc87″ bcolor=”#dd3333″ arrow=”yes”]It is a wrong message and that is why Big Brother Naija drew more audience in Southern Nigeria than in the North. In the last week of the programme, every town in Southern Nigeria was seized by the #BBNaija fever. Prayers were offered in churches for Efe. One lady threatened to commit suicide if Efe did not win. Another one said she would not stop crying until Efe won. Nollywood stars declared support for housemates. There was Team Bisola, Team Efe, EfeNation, TBOSSNation, TeamDebbieRise (small), TeamMarvis (even smaller). There were public processions even in universities. We were told how to vote. Twitter was on fire. What I saw was nothing but sheer madness. T-shirts were printed. One musician turned his personal car into a billboard. Nigeria became a madhouse because of one reality television show. It looked like mass hypnotism at work.[/quote]
But it should not be allowed to happen again. BBNaija should not be hosted and staged in South Africa as has been the case. Multichoice, Payporte and their partners made crazy money and got brand promotion off the back and sweat of Nigerians. Do the maths; we got peanuts in return. We were told BBNaija could not be staged in Nigeria due to electricity problems so the studio had to be in South Africa. And the Nigerian government looked the other way. Wawu! All the billions that the South Africans are running away with, after giving our boy a Kia SUV and some N25m, who is going to collect the Value Added Tax on that? Nigeria or South Africa? See the real Gobbe! All the staff who worked on the programme with extremely marginal exception were South Africans. Where were the Nigerians? Abi, Lobatan oh.
The Nigerian government must assert itself. Nobody henceforth must brand anything involving primary production, Nigerian off Nigerian soil. We can’t get far by wearing made-in-Nigerian clothes on Mondays and Wednesdays, turning the country into an extension of Nollywood, but we can gain a lot by insisting that economic production and profit based on Nigerian talent and resource must have significant Nigerian content.
Congratulations Efe; the grace of God is forever sufficient, but sorry Nigeria.
After 78 days of dramatic activities in the Big Brother Naija (BBN) house, the lifestyle reality show came to an end, Sunday night, with Delta State contestant, Efe Ejeba winning the coveted prize of N25 million and a Kia Seranto SUV.
Efe, an upcoming rapper and last man standing on the show beat fellow finalists – Bisola, TBoss, Debie-Rise and Marvis – in a tension-filled finale that had fans of the show canvassing vigorously for their preferred housemates.
The 24-hour three-month long live show which commenced recording in Johannesburg, South Africa on January 22, 2017, with 12 housemates who were later joined by two others, and another two but fake housemates, climaxed in glamorous live performances that had DJ Neptune, music artistes Innocent Idibia, aka 2Baba, Tiwa savage and Emmy Gee, throwing up so much vibes amidst pomp.
While in the house, Efe, who is the youngest contestant – aged 24 – was unique for his frankness, multiple-term as Head of House, and his common use of pidgin diction with jokey phrases.
A graduate of Economics from the University of Jos, Plateau State, the self-acclaimed ‘street’ boy, who was one of the usually nominated housemates for possible eviction, had, each time, led the vote chart.
Female housemate and multi-talented entertainer, Bisola, was a high contender for the prize. She told Big Brother in a Diary Room session earlier that win or lose; “I feel like a winner already.” She noted that it took her eight years to be selected as a participant, and believes the show will impact her career greatly.
Big Brother who expressed optimism for her talents admonished her in a touching way, as she fought back tears. It was the most emotional last Diary Room session.
He said: “It’s been an amazing experience having you in the house – your versatility, your incredibility. Yes, there have been moments you have told big Brother that certain things you have done and may have said, that you wish to take them back; but who can judge you, except they have been through this experience themselves. It’s always good to find out why people do what they do. That curiosity leads to understanding, and understanding opens up the human souls to compassion, and compassion is the cornerstone of love. For there is no guilt in humans, all there is, is love. Bisola, as you leave tonight, may genuine love find you. May you prosper beyond your imagination. You are a gold fish… you are a gold fish; there will be no hiding place for you. All the good things will locate you. You can sing, you can act… the question is not what can Bisola do? It is what can’t Bisola do? Big Brother has truly enjoyed your stay in the house and wishes you all the very best in your future endeavor. You’ve got a Midas touch, go touch anything a d it will turn to gold. Good luck to you…”
2Baba opened the show, singing his latest song, ‘Holy Holy’, followed by Mavin Record’s First Lady, Tiwa Savage with ‘Key to the City’. When Emmy Gee climbed the stage featuring AB Crazy and DJ Dimplez, they sang ‘Rands and Nairas’. Tiwa Savage returned one more time to the stage, doing the medley, ‘Romatic’ and ‘All Over’, while 2Baba closed the performances with the classic, ‘African Queen’.
It was a live crossing show, with Ebuka Obi-Uchendu hosting the South African studio leg, while former BBN winner, Katung Aduwak anchored the live broadcast from the Lagos screening center, the Classique Event Place, Kudirat Abiola Way, Ikeja, with fans of the show, sponsors, Nigerian media and past contestants of the show.
Marvis was the first to leave the house. When asked if she would want to further her relationship with Efe, she became evasive. Marvis’ exit was followed by guitar girl Debie-Rise who had disappointment written all over her. Asked where her heart belongs between Efe and Bassey, she noted that although it was natural to get attracted to one or two person, “But I really like Bassey.”
It was jubilations at the Lagos screening center when TBoss was evicted, just as the crowd at the Johannesburg studio where sort of booing her. She had been the most controversial housemate, noted for a beautiful body, full of tattoos and piercings which she displayed at will. The internet was abuzz last week when it was said that the Nigerian-Romanian housemate could not recite the National Anthem. She, also being the reason Kemen was disqualified from the show. However, she was declared overall winner of Friday Payporte arena games with a voucher of N500, 000 for shopping.
Presenting another side-laurel; the ONE campaign prize, won by Bisola was Honorable Desmond Elliot and Sarah Makka. She will be joining organisers in New York to speak further at the United Nations Assembly on educating the girl-child.
When Efe was declared winner, it was clear Bisola was the first runner-up.
Previously evicted housemates include Miyonse, Soma, CocoIce, Gifty, Uriel, ThinTallTony, Bassey, Balley, and Kemen, who was disqualified for breaking the rule of the game. They were all present at the Lagos live screening.
In the last three months, Big Brother Naija was estimated to be the most watched show on the African continent, shutting down Instagram, Facebook and Twitters with trending issues on a daily basis.
