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Tom Adaba: Not an icon, but the ICON

by Broadcasters 3rd July 2021

written by Broadcasters

If the world allowed the ‘Ebiras’, a community in Kogi State, Nigeria, Tom Adaba belonged to them.

“We are very proud and appreciate God that the ‘Ebira Community Worldwide’ produced the impeccable and responsible family of Adai Tom Adaba… A kind hearted family capable of impacting true love, unity, peace and prosperity upon the world”, the community said in one of their encomiums on Tom Adaba as he marked his 80^th birthday this week.

This is a good message from a community and nobody should envy the ‘Ebiras’. The message, however, and such others only assisted the community to explain that “their son” belonged to the entire world. This is the crux of the matter. Leaders are born somewhere, but they are created for particular purposes to impact on the universe as leaders.

There is the need to acknowledge that the title of this piece is also from the Ebira Community, by John Sadiq who wrote: “What an immense blessing Tom Adaba is to Ebira, to Nigeria and the world”. So, who is Tom Adaba?

The African Council for Communication Education (ACCE) is unarguably one of the leading communication associations in the African continent. It was established in 1979, but one notable thing about the association is that it passed through several challenges to get to its present enviable position. In one of the association’s rare acknowledgements, it described Tom Adaba as one of its “generals”, a Nigerian who dedicated his life and media career to the development of the continental association; so immensely that he took it to impressive heights. This is to explain that Tom Adaba is an internationally acclaimed broadcaster and media expert. He was president of the association between 1988 and 1992.

In an interview with Dr. Yemi Farounbi, one of Nigeria’s broadcast media expert, administrator and a professional colleague of Adaba, he said: “Prof. Tom Adaba is a good brother, a thorough professional, colleague and an outstanding associate

“I recall with pride his distinguished pioneering role as the founding Principal of NTA Television College, Jos and pioneer Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission

“I also recall his immense creative contributions in the early days of NTA, as NTA was being positioned as a crusading force for change

“A complete gentleman, a suave and intelligent speaker, a very innovative and cooperative team-member, but more importantly, a decisive and goal achieving team leader. Prof. Tom Adaba taught and professed mass communication”.

Innocently emphasising why Tom Adaba’s Ebira Community and other ethnic nations of Nigeria cherish him, Dr. Farounbi, former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, said: “What I also find remarkable is his love for his community and other ethnic nations. No matter which public office he holds, Tom Adaba is a man of the people”.

It is difficult, somehow, to find a better summary other than Dr. Farounbi’s descriptions of Tom Adaba.

Prof. Tom Adaba, who marks his 80^th birthday this week, hails from Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, but he was born in Asaba on July 2^nd, 1941.

He grew up in a devout Catholic home back in his Okene home, in an environment that was quite conducive to live and go to school. So, he had early encouragement to excel in education. He was a mass server in church as a kid and was very close to the white priest in charge of his Church because he was very good in English. He had intended to be a priest early in life but he spent only 10 years at seminary school and discontinued with that plan. He had told himself that if he failed to become a priest, the second option was to join the army and if he also didn’t make it into the army he would become a journalist. Obviously, he couldn’t make it into the first two professions, so he ended up a journalist. He ended up being one of the notable names in Nigeria’s broadcast industry.

Prof. Adaba has an impressive educational background. He attended Christ the King Catholic School, Okene from 1947-1955, and Junior Seminary, Okpala. He also attended Teachers College, Atangba from 1956 – 1960. He then proceeded to the United States of America for further studies between 1969 and 1971. He attended Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, USA, 1969-71; Indiana University, Bloomington, USA, 1978-79; and University of Jos, 1986-89.

Tom’s intimidating career spans several years in both the classroom and field of professional media practice. He began as a teacher at Catholic School, Okene between 1961-62; then as Tutor at Government Teacher’s Colleges, Okene and Bichi, Kano between 1964-66. He was a Lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria campus and Kano campus between 1969-74.

Prof. Adaba moved to the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) where he left impressive marks that helped in building the station. He went into full-fledged broadcasting in 1974 and became the first Principal of the NTA Television College, Jos, from 1980 to 1987. He was Senior/Principal Producer, News Presenter/Anchorman, Nigerian Television Authority, Jos, 1974-80; Co-ordinator, Head of Presentation and Training, NTA, Jos, between 1974-77, Controller/Manager of Programmes, 1977-80; Pioneer Principal, Nigeria Television College, Jos, 1980-87; Assistant Director, Programmes, Headquarters, 1989-90; GM, Makurdi, 1990-91; and Deputy Director, Operations, Headquarters 1991-92.

Tom Adaba was the first Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Lagos, between 1992-2003. He also served as Chairman, Trini Communications; Producer, Director, Presenter of many television programmes, Teacher in-Service Education Programme, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria for the 10 northern states of Nigeria, 1974; Station Manager, Advanced Teacher’s College, Kano, 1972-74.

Adaba has lived for over 53 years with Mrs. Theresa Aaze Adaba, a woman he married on December 26, 1966. Their marriage is blessed with children. Tom, who left active service in 1989 and has lived a quiet life as a retiree since then, is one of the greatest blessings to broadcast journalism.

3rd July 2021 0 comment

Broadcast Equipment News

by Broadcasters 28th November 2020

written by Broadcasters

RF calculator is a powerful tool for performing propagation calculations, antenna calculations and unit conversions.

Among the available calculations:

Propagation Calculations

Path Loss in free space
Received signal in free space
Microwave Link calculation
Fresnel zone radius
Visibility over obstacle

Antenna Calculations

Antenna array gain
Antenna array vertical beam
Antenna down tilt
Parabolic antenna

Units converter

Power
VSWR/Return Loss
Distance/length
Frequency/wavelength

RF Calculator is developed from ABE Elettronica, one of the most famous manufacturer of TV and Radio Broadcasting equipment.

Install Application: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.abe.rfcalculator

For broadcasting equipment, Call: +234 803 720 3138

28th November 2020 0 comment

Members of the Board, including the Managing Editor, Mr. Soji Ajibade with the Commissioner after the visit

News

Broadcasters Int. Magazine Visits Osun

by Broadcasters 5th September 2020

written by Broadcasters

The Board of The Broadcasters Int. Magazine visited Osun State last week to have first-hand information on such areas as Arts, Broadcasting, Tourism and related fields. It was one exciting tour which ended with a visit to the state Commissioner for Information, Funke Egbemode.

Details of the visit will shock observers, particularly on the rapid progress recorded by the state government in these areas. Watch out in coming editions.

1. The Executive Chairman of the Magazine, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, with the Hon. Commissioner For Information — The Executive Chairman of the Magazine, Dr. Yemi Farounbi, with the Hon. Commissioner For Information

Publisher, Mr. Clement Ige, Presenting a copy to the Commissioner

5th September 2020 0 comment

Sports

ERNEST OKONKWO

by Broadcasters 6th June 2020

written by Broadcasters

It is indeed an irony of fate that the renowned football radio commentator happened to fall within the category of the little known as far as his personal life was concerned. Ernest Okonkwo was born in 1936 at Nando, Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, the amiable sports commentator attended the local primary school, before proceeding to the then famous Government College, Umuahia in Imo State for his secondary education.

Ernest made football commentary smoothing to all ears in his heydays.

He joined the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) as a programmme Assistant before being trained at the Australian Broadcasting commission between 1964 and 1965. He later became the head of the Outside broadcast Unit of the (FRCN).

To the latter generation of sports followers in Nigeria Ernest Okonkwo’s name may not ring a bell. But to the older ones, the broadcast Journalist represented the best in the running of sports commentaries on radio. Most of our present day soccer fans who throng viewing centers on daily basis might not be able to appreciate the lexical prowess of our dear Ernest Okonkwo who was rightfully described as a wordsmith, who, he actually was.

The days of Ernest Okonkwo on the Air waves were the days when people would put their television sets on mute and prefer to listen to Okonkwo’s commentary on Radio, He was a creative mind who had the unique style of running commentaries giving appropriate qualifying adjectives to each person whether player, administrator or referee. He was indeed a heavyweight in the broadcast industry.

Ernest was factually the soul of every game and Nigerian league was always alive with his voice running like wild fire describing both the ball and the players on the field of play.

Someone rightly said in the form of a rhetoric that Ernest Okonkwo died with the league football commentary because ever since his death, the country has not produced any other that can surpass his style.

Some people argued and still argue that if Ernest Okonkwo were from a different clime, he would have been immortalized. To immortalize him of course is the sports community’s expectation from the Federal Government.

Despite the brilliance of Ishola Folorunsho, Sebastine Effurrum, Kelvin Ejiofor, Tolu Fatoyinbo, Yinka Craig, Henry Akinsoyimi, Ernest Okonkwo stood slightly apart and ahead, shinning just little brighter in that constellation of stars that turned running sports commentaries on Radio into an art form and made listening irresistible.

According to some unrepentant soccer fans of those years, Mr. Okonkwo was different. He gave players new names, reflecting certain outstanding or defining characteristics in their lives.

In the 1970s through 1980s despite the dominance of world class musicians across the globe, Ernest Okonkwo’s radio commentaries were considered more melodious (and this is not an over statement) to listen to, than the best of music.

He gave appropriate Nick-Names of sort to brilliant soccer maestros like Segun Odegbami (Mathematician), Adokie Amiesimaka (Chief Justice) Yisa Sofoluwe( Dean of Defense) Sylvamus Okpala (Quick silver) or even other expressions like Christain Chuckwu taking an “Intercontinental ballistic missile type of “Banana shot”; he gave him the appellation (Chairman)” for his commanding and leadership style on the field of play.

Emmanuel Okala (Tallest) for his imposing frame and physical stature. Alloysuis Atuegbu stocky, short but powerfully built was (Blockbuster).

Interestingly Amiesimaka served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Rivers State after his retirement from football. Really prophetic.

There was (Idowu Otubusin) (Slow poison), Elahor (Elastic), Kelechi Emetole (Caterpillar), all became household nicknames in Nigerian football.

Let us consider this rhythmic description of the match between Rangers of Enugu and Raccah Rivers in 1979 his words. “he beats Christian Chukwu, he beats Christian Madu, he beats Christian Nwokocha he beats three Christians in a row , who is this man? He must be a Muslim oh! it is Shefui Mohammed, sending a diagonal pass to Baba Otu Mohammed”.

Such was the power of description and coinage of expressions that former National team left winger Adokiye Amiesimaka appreciated in the doyen. He emphasized in a publication that the Media Tribune of the Abuja National Stadium should be named after Ernest Okonkwo.

As a budding Radio Presenter in Radio Nigeria Ibadan, I could not describe in vivid details what passed through me the day I met Ernest Okonkwo, When he breezed into our broadcasting House Complex at Oba Adebimpe Road Ibadan, Oyo State. In his heydays, I was expecting somebody with an imposing stature with all the paraphernalia, but the gentle man came with a simple school bag strapped between the two shoulders behind and asked me to take him to Adamasingba stadium. Simply dressed, soft spoken and unassuming. What a humble posture. Indeed some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have the greatness thrust upon them. Ernest Okonkwo really achieved the greatness, which at long last was finally thrust upon him. Okonkwo was like a colossus in his chosen career particularly in radio sports commentary from 1957 when he joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) till August 7, 1990 when he breathed his last, having served the Broadcasting Industry meritoriously for 33years.

The Great Ernest Okonkwo was married to Mrs. Joy Okonkwo, he had five children, two boys and three girls.

6th June 2020 0 comment

Profile

Great Broadcasters Series 2

by Broadcasters 30th May 2020

written by Broadcasters

Julie Coker

JULIE COKER

Julie Coker was a television journalist and broadcaster. She was a brand and a foremost familiar face in television broadcasting in Nigeria during the beginning of the industry.

Coker’s father was Yoruba from Abeokuta while her mother is itsekiri from Warri area. She grew up in Lagos with her mother and step-father and attended St Mary’s Convent primary school, founded by Catholic missionaries and managed by nuns of Our Lady of Apostles. At school, Julie found interest in the choir and performance art, an interest that was nurtured by the nuns. She later gained admission into Holy Child College. When she was fourteen years old, her mother fell ill and went to her village to recuperate, Coker stayed with her step-father’s family who lived in a communal compound. But after a year, without a letter or note from her mother, she risked the waterways to go and search for her in the Sapele area of current Delta State. Coker spoke Yoruba and Itsekiri, the language of her maternal family. When she landed in Sapele, she spoke with strangers to describe what she knew about her mum’s village and by nightfall, someone was able to assist and get her to her grandmother’s place. A few days later and after much apprehension, she was taken to see her mother who was quite ill. She stayed with her until she was fairly strong. When she was ready to return to school, her mother had expended her savings. Coker asked family members for school fees but she could not obtain the full payment. It was at this point in her life, her great aunt’s tricked her into an early teenage marriage. She was briefly in the man’s house until she escaped with the help of her aunt to Lagos. In Lagos, she earned a scholarship to continue at Holy Child College. In 1957, she represented her school in a festival of arts that was featured in the Daily Times Newspaper. After she left secondary studies, Coker began teaching at a convent in Warri, it was during this period she noticed as advertisement for a Miss Western Nigeria competition. Coker entered and won the competition in 1958, that same year, she was a runner-up at the Miss Nigeria contest.

In 1959, she became part of the team of WNTV, she initially worked as a receptionist but when Anike Agbaje-Williams was pregnant and wanted to go on maternal leave, Coker was brought in as a replacement. Coker became one of the earliest well known television broadcasters in Nigeria. After Western Nigeria Television started operation as the first T.V. station in Nigeria, Coker was the second female announcer.

Apart from television, Coker released three albums under E.M.I. Music Nigeria and was an actress in the film, Dinner with the Devil.

Ruth Benamaisia Opia

RUTH BENAMAISIA

For many years, the name Ruth Benamaisia Opia was a household name because of her appearance on the network news of the Nigeria Television Authority most evenings. She was the darling of most viewers whose alluring voice adorned the tube as a Newscaster for years.

With her brain, beauty and a voice which viewers looked forward to, she endeared herself to Nigerians during the years she spent at NTA.

She was one of the few broadcasters who molded many young followers in the course of her career, having started broadcasting in 1977. Ruth was born in Lagos to a Bayelsa father and an Ndokwa mother from Delta state. Now in her early 60s, she is married to Professor Eric Opia, the former boss of the now defunct Oil and Minerals Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC). They are blessed with beautiful children.

Ruth began her career in broadcasting at the Radio Nigeria, Enugu, before switching over to television at the time that there were few television stations in the country. Her brain, beauty and voice made way for her in the broadcasting industry. Noticeably, her infectious smile strikes her out from the crowd. She was later appointed a commissioner in Bayelsa State.

Patrick oke

PATRICK OKE

The journey of life naturally depends on the whines and caprices of life itself. Some schools of thought agree it is providence. Even in an accident one can still have an happy ending.

Patrick Oke is an example of an accident gone right. He remained popular as a Network Newscaster on NTA and a Co-Anchor of NEWSLINE, Pairing with Yinka Craig. His national baritone voice served as a very good asset coupled with his distinct and polished diction.

Patrick’s childhood ambition was to become a doctor; he wanted to read Medicine after he came back from Britain in 1974. However all his efforts to get admitted into any of the Nigerian Universities to read medicine failed.

This “Accident” blew up his ambition and he ended up in a Broadcasting House instead of the Hospital Wards.

Patrick was playing table tennis in a nearby house when one of his friends told him he was going for an audition test at the then Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC). He quickly volunteered to go with his friend for the test even though his seriousness at really getting a job was questionable.

Then came the irony, his friend failed the audition out rightly why he passed and immediately bagged a job as an announcer, the Genesis of his broadcasting career.

The salient necessity of combining knowledge and wisdom to enhance one’s career propelled his ambition to move up the academics ladder. He got admitted into the University of Lagos for a Diploma in Mass Communication in 1978 and later a Bachelor of Arts degree in the same course in 1985, after working for a while in Voice of Nigeria (VON).

In 1985, he was transferred to the News department of NTA Channel 10 Lagos.

Patrick Oke even though in love with the profession could not hide his feelings about the reward which he said and still insists is nothing to write home about, compared to what we have in other profession.

According to him it is the interest over and above any other thing now in his Sixties, Patrick Oke plays Lawn Tennis, Chess, Scrabble and Badminton.

A real professional Broadcaster.

Frank Olize

FRANK OLIZE

Frank Olize was a dominant figure and legendary broadcaster who feature on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) in 1980s and 1990s unarguably a legendary broadcaster. His unique style of presentation was so much admired when he anchored NEWSLINE, a programme aired every Sunday on NTA from 9pm – 10pm. Not just that the programme was very interesting, Olize’s presentation style kept viewers captivated and glued to their television sets while he was on air.

He had this hilarious presentation style which took television presentation to another level

His local assets which could had been a minus eventually became a plus, hence his unique style nobody could did it the way he was doing it. Olize had a way of activating viewer’s emotions while they watched his programme. He could be emotional to the extent that he often shed tears when a story got so emotional and he couldn’t hold himself anymore. Eventually NEWSLINE became a Sunday-Sunday tonic for many Nigerians.

Little was heard about him after his sojourn in NTA. The most prominent information you find about him is his appearance at his daughter’s wedding in Dubai. Needless to say he wants to now live a life one can describe as really private.

One thing is sure: whether he is off the radar or operating from underground, Frank Olize continues exists in the minds of many Nigerians who enjoyed that his unique style of presentations on NEWSLINE, NTA.

30th May 2020 0 comment

Profile

The Great Broadcasters

by Broadcasters 15th May 2020

written by Broadcasters

Sienne AllWell – Brown

Sienne Allwell – Brown was a television Presenter with NTA. Her career started with her debut on Radio in 1973 at NBC Ikoyi, Lagos before she ventured into television.

Sienne AllWell – Brown

A Fashionista because of her very beautiful outfits on TV then.

Sienne attended Aba township school, Aba in Abia State and ACM Girls’ school Elelenwa, Rivers State. For her “A” Levels, she attended Kulbum Polythenic London in 1979. She also bagged her LLB (HONS) Law at the Middlesex, University of London in 1984, Nigerian Law School, Lagos B.L 1985 at Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. For three years Sienne was newscaster reporter with the Nigerian Television Authority 1976-1979 where she was also, newscaster reporter editor news producer controller from 1985- 1994. (Another nine years). She was the General Manager/Chief Executive for the Rivers state Television from 1994-1996 A principal partner at the Allwell–Brown and Co(Solicitor ) from 1996-2000 (4 years).

There is no gain saying the fact that Sienne Allwell –Brown led the pack of glamorous newscasters on the NTA Network then she had an impeccable dress sense and Aura. She distinguished herself as a great professional thus stealing the heart of viewers with her clear diction and personal style. After so many years of doing what she knows best, Sienne, finally bid goodbye to the camera and the neon lights.

Sienne Allwelll- Brown has many honors and awards to her credit including AMAOPUO RUBO Grand Bonny kingdom in 2006, a title conferred to select few females every few decades for serving the country and Bonny Kingdom creditably.

She was awarded certificate of commendation, Newscaster of the year Category, Nigeria Media Merit Award . Also for three consecutive years, Sienne was voted Best Nigerian Newscaster by “Lagos Life”. A Guardian Newspaper Publication – 1986 – 1988.

Sienne Allwell –Brown is also a member of many professional organizations both local and international: Association of Business Communications (IABC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), International Public Relations Association UK and many more.

Ronke Ayuba

A time there was when the Nigerian Television Authority was the darling of millions of Nigerians. Those years the NTA Newscasters were the most popular stars in the Nigerian Galaxy. NTA was the station and one of the most seductive newscasters then was the legendary RONKE DARLEY later to become RONKE AYUBA

Ronke Ayuba started her broadcasting career in 1972 at the NBC (Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation), Ibadan, Oyo State as a freelance Presenter of a Radio Programme and also at the WNTV/WNBS after which she was employed as an Announcer and Presenter in March 1973

In 1981 she was transferred to NTA Lagos as a newscaster and she exploded into stardom in 1985. She later abandoned the broadcasting job for business.

For a good part of the early 1980s Ronke Ayuba dazzled most Nigerians to such an extent that when she left her job in NTA as the Primetime Newscaster, Many Nigerians were not only sad but also shocked.

The goddess of the Nigerian tube went to establish a clothes designer outfit.

Many people were also surprised at her fashion statements on Television. She also became a restaurateur at the Tafawa Balewa complex in Lagos.

Ronke , the Sassy beauty who affirmed she really missed her fans and professional colleagues also said she was glad to be away from it all as she already had enough of T.V presentation. Ronke Ayuba was so charming on Television that many regarded her then as the unofficial “Miss Nigeria”.

She maintained an active post television life, especially with her marriage to one of the most powerful men in Nigeria then, General Tanko Ayuba. She was later appointed a member of the Negotiation and Conflict Management Group (NCMG).

She became the first Lady in Kaduna State as her husband was appointed Governor of the State.

It is on record that the famous Trio and girls of NTA Ruth Benamaisa – Opia, Kehinde Young Harry, Sienne Allwell – Brown were contemporaries of Ronke Ayuba.

JONES OKPOHO USEN

Jones Okpoho Usen

If one is to stir up a juicy debate on who and who falls within that category of longest serving and most successful broadcaster, the name that will readily come to our mind of minds is Jones Okpoho Usen popularly called Citizen Usen.

Jones Usen, a native of Akwa Ibom was born in Lagos on April 4, 1950.

The young Jones (now 70 years old), then joined the old Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation in 1974 from college.

On radio, Jones was hot with debates and has been known for interviewing high profiled personalities in almost all the sectors of live. He has won several awards for his dexterity as a professional Broadcaster and these include “Announcer of the Year” by the NBC (Nigerian Broadcasting Commission), Broadcaster of the year by the Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA).

In broadcasting, Jones Usen is a rolling stone with a difference because he really gathered and is gathering mosses.

He has traversed the electronic media of radio and television for the better part of the last forty years. He was at different times Programmes Director, Head of Programmes and Production Manager. Jones Usen is currently with the Continental Broadcasting Services (Radio Continental, Lagos), where he has become a source of inspiration to colleagues and other professionals.

Jones Usen is married with children and grand children.

MALLAM NASIR DANLADI BAKO

Mallam Nasir Danladi Bako

Mallam Danladi Bako was born on September 1, 1957. An astitute and eminent broadcaster cum Public Administrator, he attended Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and the University of Lagos, Akoka, Lagos.

He worked at Rema Radio, Sokoto from 1973 and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Lagos.

He was a former Anchor “Morning Ride” in 1988 and also former presenter “Master sports”.

He later became Head of the Maiduguri Zone of the National Broadcasting Commission before he was appointed the Personal Assistant to the Minister of Sports.

Danladi Bako later became the secretary, Media sub-committee local organizing committee.

He was Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission between 1999 – 2002.

He later became the head media sub-committee, 2014 Commonwealth Games Bidding Committee.

Along the line in 2007, he dabbled into politics and was made chairman, media and publicity, North-West PDP and also chairman Presidential campaign committee in 2015. However, Bako became the chairman media and publicity, 2015 Sokoto State Governorship campaign. He was appointed commissioner in charge of information in Sokoto State between 2012 – 2015.

Danladi Bako the Black Belt Taekwondist, is now the KOGUNAN SAKWATTO.

He garnered several awards as a professional which included Best producer/presenter award of the NTA Sokoto and also Best overall staff award in 1980.

Board Member Cross River Basin Development Authority 2004 – 2008.

Governing Council Member Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi 2009 – 2013.

Mallam Danladi Bako has been rightly described as larger than life. A man of extra ordinary achievements, A serious minded Administrator, Broadcaster Extraordinaire, a meticulous teacher and a maverick. A living legend of sort.

15th May 2020 0 comment

Entertainment

Air Wave ‘Wars’ and Nigeria’s Bests

by Broadcasters 13th July 2019

written by Broadcasters

Was there any war? Were there wars? It was difficult as it is still unclear today, to say there were musical wars, particularly on the air waves. But let’s laugh over some, and also analyse their results.

I am not really sure that the late Rex Lawson took marijuana, but it was well known that Fela started with Mirinda soft drink. The story was that educated Fela was so jealous of Rex Lawson’s massive popularity, powered majorly by the defunct NBC in its daily contents.

Fela had his Koola Lobitos, right, but was very uncomfortable with Rex Lawson who was better known in the nearly identical brand of music they played. Perhaps, instead of a positive research into his own music, he did the unthinkable. One day, he went to Rex Lawson’s house to challenge him to a music duel, calling him “Amugbo” in the process.

The duel did not take place, but Fela ended up a hemp smoker and a propagator of it. But that’s a diversion. Fela went into his positive memory, just a little later. One day, his research which included a journey into late James Brown’s soul music, produced what he never thought of, and he was to shout “Eureka” to EMI Records, “Jeun Koku” was produced, Afrobeat was born, and the journey of Nigeria’s greatest musician to stardom kicked off. Until Fela went into political songs, his music made the first list of the radio stations. Even then, the political songs did not hit the air waves but the streets because there were no private broadcast stations at that time and Fela was already a troublesome enigma. One thing came out of this war, if there was a war, Rex Lawson who died shortly after the Nigeria Civil war in a ghastly auto crash, lives forever in our minds with his evergreen works. And Fela made Nigeria proud to become the first world-class musician.

The story of King Sunny Ade and Ebenezer Obey is even more thrilling. The two started almost about the same time, the latter a little earlier. But they were both struggling with identities on the air waves, and probably did not immediately get the fact that they were toying with other musicians’ ideas.

While Obey’s early works had touches of legendary I.K Dairo and Orlando Owoh, Sunny Ade was all weather music, with more focus on Tunde Nightingale. He actually started as Sunny Adex and His All Weather Band. His first record, “Alanu Loluwa” sold a terrible fifteen copies, but Sunny was dancing about the town because of the appreciable level of the air appeal it enjoyed.

Then the “war”, which was actually a product of visible levels of popularity on air, and by extension, among fans. Theirs, was actually a war in the true sense of it, but believe it as imaginary, because a settlement was arranged for them by the Late I.K Dairo and Late Adeolu Akinsanya.

Before the settlement, however, the two had not-so-smooth experiences in their efforts to carve out individual, unique styles. The results; a new Ebenezer Obey with “Board Member” and a new Sunny Ade with “Ile Labo Sinmi oko” two great works released about the same time with massive support on the air waves.

Even after the first settlement of their “war”, we still heard such songs as “Orin toni tumo, orin tomogbon wa”, “Egbon ngbo kira kira”, “Let them say” and “Aso ija mi tiya”.

To put it properly, WNTV was at the centre of this, and the abattoir of the wars. This is where most Nigeria artistes cut their teeth to stardom. Name them: Babasala, Duro ladipo, Ogunmola, Ogungbe, I.sho Pepper, Fela, Roy Chicago, Victor Olaiya, I.K Dairo, King Sunny Ade, Ebenezer Obey, Dele Abiodun, Pick Peters, all of them and others.

And the staff had their preferences, which kept the “war” active. The most noticeable of these “war” on air was Ebenezer Obey and Sunny Ade before his crowning. There was a story of how a committee on the monthly musical shows and presentation almost divided the house, and how internal political dexterity or expertise in public relations were deployed to let the two dominate the air waves on a semi permanent basis.

And let me digress to a funny, but significant event, few years ago. One day, on my way to Ibadan from Lagos, I assisted to take KSA and Dele Abiodun to the venue of a Juju Band Leaders Association event. Already on sit were: Late Fatai Rolling Dollar, Ebenezer Obey and Pick Peters. A re-arrangement was made to allow KSA sit with Obey while Dele Abiodun sat with Peters.

Immediately, my mind went into history. The only one missing here was Babasala who was no longer a musician. A sitting row featuring, Rolling Dollars, (Obey’s former mentor), Obey, KSA, Dele Abiodun and Pick Peters was a delight but the young journalists covering the event didn’t pick this. I actually called Tope Olukole’s attention to this, explaining to him that these are the “karambanis” of our music scene in the 70’s, beginning from middle of 60’s.

There was a story that was not ascertained; that Obey left with some members of Fatai’s band when he was forming his own, and that Sunny Ade took Bob Aladeniyi, the only one that did not go with Obey. Was this true? In any case, we are still talking of wars, such as the one between Obey and Sunny Ade on one hand, Dele Abiodun and Pick Peters on the other.

Today, however, we are witnesses to glorious careers of the two, spanning some fifty years, propagating Nigeria’s cultural juju music to the world through identifiable individual brands.

Can we visit fuji music and the “war lords” who eventually stabilised the brand as one of Nigeria’s respected cultural music? Great Late Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and dynamic Kolyinton Ayinla, were friends before they became musical enemies.

And again, the quality of supports from the air waves triggered researches into their individual music. And they chose god fathers. Barrister chose Ebenezer Obey while Kolyinton picked KSA. Not too funny!

Real or imaginary, the war was settled. In 1983, I had an interview with the Late Barrister where he said “war times were tough”. In his opinion, “Omohun a maa bu nyan”, referring to Kolyinton’s prowess in abusive songs. Notably, however, the two gave us, stable individual brands and qualitative fuji music.

But was there really any war? Not any, but musical competitions that were part of Nigeria’s history to greatness and importance in world’s cultural music. Competitions breed quality, and quality breeds greatness. So we can still enjoy the war on the air waves as our new generation artistes- Wizkid, Davido, Olamide etc. inherit the “war”. Luckily they push themselves into innovations, propelled by the “war” among them, to make Nigeria great with their brands of hip-pop music.

13th July 2019 0 comment

Entertainment

CHRISTY ESSIEN-IGBOKWE: The Music Plays, Memory Lingers

by Broadcasters 12th July 2019

written by Broadcasters

Even when it is eight years after the death of Nigerian music matriarch, Chief Mrs Christianah Uduak Essien-Igbokwe better known in the music parlance as Christy Essien Igbokwe her works still continue to roar and speak in volumes.

Taking a look at her profile, I couldn’t help but got swept off my feet. I noticed the resilience and perseverance with which the little Christy took on the vicissitudes of life when she lost her mother at a tender age of 12 and how she had to be brought up by one of her late mother’s friends in Aba, Abia State.

Interestingly, I was made to realise how she (Christy) featured in her Secondary School Club and she was discovered as a girl with innate qualities in the artistic world. With her doggedness, courage and candour she was noted for, it took her some minutes to perform at the then NTA CHANNEL 6 to be discovered in Aba in the year 1976. One thing led to the other, and she was offered a role in the celebrated Soap “The Masquerade”. She was given the role of Akpenor the wife of Jegede. She fitted into it and excelled. She was truly a team player.

Essien-Igbokwe began her musical career in her Secondary School, singing at various clubs such as Uka Onu’s Club and Unikoko in Aba, Abia State. She featured on a programme called ‘Now Sound’. Her talents in music tremendously received a boost from her late mother’s friend who encouraged her singing prowess and bought her a fairly used cassette player to record her songs.

With such undaunting spirit to make a mark, Christy shuffled and swapped roles between her acting and musical careers when eventually she decided to release her debut album titled FREEDOM in 1977. The popular track ” Time Waits for No One” was a sell out.

As the evolution of Christy Essien-Igbokwe started unfolding, the society began to enjoy her penchant as a social crusader. She was seen more in the vanguard of people campaigning against Child Abuse and Female Circumcision. She featured in some movies that berated similar insults and assaults on womanhood such as “Flesh & Blood” and another one titled “Scars of Womanhood”. She also had the honour of composing and performing what would later be known as her state’s informal anthem, “Akwa Ibom Mmi (My Akwa Ibom)” in 1987, its year of creation as a State of the Nigerian Federation.

Christy’s second Album “Ever Liked My Person” released in 1981 was what she needed to be heralded into the global stage. Essien-Igbokwe sang her songs in Igbo, Ibibio, Efik, Hausa, Yoruba as well as in English. Essien’s fluency in Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba, English and her native Ibibio earned her an appeal which cuts across tribal lines and in this case the Yoruba track SEUN RERE turned out to be its selling point. According to records, this is the track that was translated into other 124 ethnic languages to drive home the message content of its lyrics.

This woman later established herself as a rare gem, a team player and a catalyst needed in the league of friends. It was sometimes in 1980 she conceived an idea, the idea bothered on her concern for the Nigerian music house to form a united front.

Many people like my humble self had written off such exercise as an effort in futility. My pessimism was borne out of the fact that there was no love lost among the Nigerian music gladiators at the time. The untold acrimony and bitter rivalry between King Sunny Ade and Chief Ebenezer Obey was so fresh and lingering at that time, not to talk of the feud between Haruna Ishola and Kasumu Adio and of course the ravaging fiasco of Sikiru Ayinde Barrister and Kollington Ayinla.

By all permutations, no one could believe that someone in the mould of Christy Essien-Igbokwe’s age, gender and experience would find it so cool and comfortable at bringing these stars to the same table to discuss positive agenda. But this woman stunned the world and beat everyone to it. Mama SEUN RERE achieved it. She danced where the angels fear to thread. She initiated and convened the unity forum of all Nigerian musicians, they moved ahead to become an official body and today it is known as Performing Musician Association of Nigeria PMAN. The body had its first set of officials as follows:

President: King Sunny Ade

Vice President: Sonny Okosuns

Chairman: Chief Ebenezer Obey

National Treasurer: Christy Essien-Igbokwe

In 1996-1999 period, Christy Essien-Igbokwe eventually emerged and served as the first and only female President of the organization.

She got married in October 1979 to Chief Edwin Chukwunenye Igbokwe the then managing director of Punch Newspapers, till her time of death she remained married with four male children. They are Mr Obiora Chukwuemeka Igbokwe, Mr Chinwuba Kenechukwu Kaka Igbokwe, Mr Solomon Chukwukadibia Olubunmi Igbokwe and Mr Lucky Samuel Azubueze Igbokwe. Her grand Children are Miss Elizabeth Uduak Igbokwe, Miss Christiana Chizaramekpeleamaka Ijeoma Igbokwe and Master David Igbokwe.

Awards

“Lady of Songs” by Nigerian Entertainment Writers – 1980
“Star Performer” Award of Nigerian Television Authority – 1983
“Best Actress Runner-Up” Award for Excellence by Silver Jubilee Committee of the Nigerian Television Authority – 1984
“African Music Mother” Award by Music Extravaganza’84 in collaboration with African Music Development, New York, USA
“Adaha Onna” (Pillar of Onna LGA)
Akwa Ikwo Eket (The Greatest Singer from Eket Community) by Eket LGA Authority
Aha Nwanyi Ejiagamba 1 of Oru Ahiazu, Mbaise, Imo State
“Golden Voice of Africa” Award by Music Students Association, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
“Gold Award” of 25 Nigerian Celebrities – 1988
“Certificate of Honour” by the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Anambra State Council – 1990
“Certificate of Recognition” by National Film Festival – 1992
“Silver Prize” Winner at 6th Seoul Songs Festival, South Korea – 1983
“Grand Prix “ Winner at Neewollah Music Festival at Independence, Kansas, USA – 1983
“International Special Achievement” Award of Musexpo, Acapulco, Mexico, 1983
“Certificate of Merit” Award for songwriting and composing at the 10th Annual American Songs Festival, Los Angeles, USA – 1983
“Audience Favourite” Award of International Music Festival at Baker University, USA – 1983
“Silver Prize” Winner at Second International Music Festival of Oklahoma University, USA – 1983
“Outstanding Performance” Award at the World Song Festival, L.A. Arts Academy, USA – 1984
“Distant Accord” Award at the FIDOF Festival in Hollywood, L.A., USA, 1990
Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) Award in Business Management by Cornerstone University & Theological Seminary, Jerusalem, Israel – 2010
Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) Award in Literature-in-Africa by University of Berkeley, Chicago, Illinois, USA – 2010 plus 35 other Chieftaincy titles and Musical Awards from Nigerian governments, institutions and entertainment industries.

12th July 2019 0 comment

Broadcasting

Broadcasting in Africa, Nigeria, South-West of Nigeria

by Broadcasters 12th July 2019

written by Broadcasters

Political activists before Independence might not want to agree in all totality that no matter how Colonialism might have been negatively tainted, Broadcasting in Africa particularly Nigeria is one of the gains Nigeria had from Colonialism.

Nigeria for example was a colony of Britain, meaning that Nigeria was governed by people from another country which was more powerful, and that was Britain. Nigeria was not the only country in the saddle. There was the “Empire” which actually came to live in 1932 and was divided into five zones, Canada, South Africa, India, Australia and West Africa.

The foundation of Broadcasting was laid by Sir John Reith, who was Director General of the Britain Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) when he conceived the idea of “Empire Broadcasting”. As far as he was concerned, “Empire Broadcasting” would solve the problem of isolation and loneliness, the twin problems faced by the Colonialists, and the natives themselves, coupled with the idea of allowing the natives to appreciate and welcome some of the amenities and culture.

The first step Broadcasting took to enter Nigeria was the introduction of wired Broadcasting known as “Rediffusion” a Radio Distribution Service System which formally took off and was commissioned in Lagos. Subscribers’ responded massively to its introduction. But the Second World War came (1939-1945), which could not have come and gone without its effects.

When relay service was launched in Nigeria in 1932 to re-broadcast UK-originated radio programmes. In 1935, a similar service was established in Ghana (then Gold Coast). Kenya already had a small relay station for her white settlers by 1928 (only one year when the British Broadcasting corporation come into being. 1n 1953 however a radio service was started for the Black Kenyans.

In Nigeria after the second World War, a 300 watt short wave transmitter was installed in 1948 under the name Radio Nigeria, which was to relay British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) signals, with one hour in the evening for local programmes which included; Entertainment, News and local announcements.

In 1951, the Nigerian Broadcasting Service came on board, thereby ending the operation of the Radio Distribution Service (RDS). The Nigeria Broadcasting Service established stations in Ibadan, Abeokuta, Ijebu-ode, Warri (West) Onitsha, Port-Harcourt, Calabar, Katsina, Zaria, and Kano (North). After the regional independence however, the Western Region government demanded and got its own broadcast station on October 31, 1959, when it founded the Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service (WNBS), which also championed the advent of Television Broadcast. The former government of Eastern Nigeria came up with its own Television Station in 1960. The Northern Regional government established a television station, an arm of the Broadcasting Company of Northern Nigeria in 1962. In Kaduna we also had the Radio Kaduna Television owned jointly by the Northern Nigeria Regional Government and the British Television Company. The Federal government established its own Television Station, Nigerian Television Services (NTS) in 1962, confined only to Lagos. The Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) took over the station, when the American partnership was terminated.

It is quite note worthy to mention that in the continent of Africa. The Egyptian Television went on air in 1960 but significantly on a much larger scale than those of Nigerians as it took off on the outset with three different simultaneous programmes channels; Arabic, English and French compared to the WNTV for example which had a single 2-camera studio. Interestingly a major feature of the Egyptian set-up was that it had more than enough facilities which could be found only in Europe and America, this was 1979. The level of the professional entertainment status of Egypt was high as they had long been the home of Arab film Industry (probably the third and fouth largest in the world) after Hollywoods (U.S.A), Bollywood (India) PimeWoods (Britain).

In Nigerian, the Mid-West region was carved out of Western Nigeria and it seemed natural that the Mid-West region, a creation out of the trail-blazing Western Region would establish a television station in as short a time as possible but this did not happen until 1973 when it was launched in Benin-City.

After the Nigerian Civil war the old Eastern region, spilt up into four states and by and before 1976 we had Anambra Television, (old Enugu 1960), Imo (Owerri/Aba 1960, Rivers Television (Port-Harcourt 1974) and Cross River (Calabar, 1976, Benue-Plateau TV Jos came on air in colour in July 1974 emerging as the first television station in the country to go fully colour.

North-West or Sokoto States Rima Television came on board almost at the same time with Kano State Television in 1976. The twelve state governments then had nine functioning television stations; West/Oyo (Ibadan) Kaduna (Kaduna), Benue-Plateau (Jos), Anambra Enugu, Imo (Owerri) Rivers Port-Harcourt), Cross River (Calabar), Kano (Kano), Sokoto (Sokoto) with the Federal station, the NBC/TV Lagos making the tenth.

The creation of more states along the lines as politically expedient also gave room to the establishment of more state owned Radio and Television stations.

As could be observed, the WNTV gave way to the establishment of many Television stations not only in Nigeria but all over the Africa continent. In Nigeria today, each state can boast of at least two Television stations; one each for the federal and state governments. Later, the federal might came up with more local stations in each of the states.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) was established in 1992 to monitor and regulate Broadcasting in Nigeria. As a result, licenses were given out to quite a number of private Radio stations; Eko Fm, Ray Power Fm, all in Lagos.

The private Television stations includes; Galaxy Television Ibadan (1994), Degue Broadcasting Network (DBN), African Independence Television (AIT), Channels Television, Murhi International Television (MiTV).

Right now South-West Nigeria and indeed Nigeria and Africa can boast of so many commercial and community Fm radio stations operating on the basic Terrestrial and even Online (Internet).

Proliferation some people might want to say that a stronger school of thought believe that this would serve as a good pedestal for necessary political, social and economic development.

12th July 2019 0 comment