Big Brother Nigeria Returns with ex-Housemate as Host

Media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu has been announced as host for Big Brother Naija reality TV show.
The former housemate in Big Brother Nigeria show back in 2006 will make a re-appearance at the reality show’s revival but this time as the host. The lawyer turned media personality with his infectious laugh and charismatic persona will usher the housemates into the Big Brother Naija house and will take up the task of announcing the evictees week-after-week.

“We are particularly excited to have Ebuka as host of Big Brother Naija. This was the platform that unearthed his potentials and propelled him to stardom”, said John Ugbe, Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria.

In just less than a decade, Ebuka has risen to become one of the most loved and admired personalities in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Ebuka’s hosting gigs include Friend or Foe on NTA, the GLO Show, also on NTA, as well as Guinness’ Greatness TV. He is currently the host of Rubbin’ Minds, a youth-focused TV show on Channels television. While on EbonyLife TV on DStv channel 165, he is one of the co-hosts of The Spot, a show that combines a bit of reality TV with talk show and sitcom, and more recently, Men’s Corner, a talk show with an all-male ensemble who strongly air their opinions on a range of topical issues.

Big Brother Naija reality show starts Sunday, 22 January at 7pm and will run for 11 weeks on all DStv packages on channel 198 and GOtv Plus on channel 29.
BBN, a spinoff of Big Brother Africa, created an easy entry point for the housemates to make easy inroads into Nollywood. Beside its entertainment value, BBN also provided an opportunity for the ex-housemates to pursue their ambitions.

After a 10-year hiatus, the popular reality TV show is making a comeback, and is now brandedBig Brother Naija, sponsored by PayPorte, Nigeria’s online store. Days after its launch, throngs of youths took to the BBN portal to register for the re-invented BBN which promises to create fun and exciting moments.

Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, speaking on the return of the show, said this is another remarkable way of delighting customers through enhancement of the company’s product offerings. “The addition of BBN to our content is a demonstration of our commitment to consistently meet the needs of our customers through innovative, qualitative and varied content available on DStv platforms.”

The BBN auditions took place simultaneously in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja. Thousands of youth besieged the audition venues to have a chance of being selected to compete for the star prize worth N25 million and a KIA Sorento car. Twelve housemates will slug it out by showcasing their best selves, while also avoiding possible eviction by voters.

Before their gracious entry into the house, a few of the contenders shared their experiences after making it through the first stage of the audition. It was a tale of excitement, fun, anxiety and passion. The auditions were marked by displays of unique fashion, weird hairstyles, exceptional beauty and allure from the youths who were all eager to make it into the house.

Okon Emmanuel, an undergraduate of the University of Lagos, Akoka, who was auditioned in Lagos, said: “This is one of the best auditions I have attended in recent times. The screening process is both transparent and fair as we were called in groups and interviewed in the presence of other contenders. I am excited that I am able to make it to the second stage.”

Jessica Mbajuka, a film graduate from Anambra State, who is based in South Africa but flew into Nigeria for the Lagos audition, said “The return of the TV reality show is a unique opportunity for me to showcase my talent and make myself more relevant to my country.

“I was extremely excited when I got wind of the BBN audition through my younger sister. As a film graduate from a university in Johannesburg, it was an opportunity to tell the rest of the world that Nigerians are immensely talented. From what I have seen today and my interactions with a few of the contenders, I believe Nigeria is Africa’s hub for great talents,” she said.

INTRODUCING DREAM WEDDING
Nigeria’s Largest Wedding Exhibition is set to give another couple, Toyosi Ilupeju and Wole Makinwa the wedding of their dream for free. Come February 14 the WED sponsored wedding will hold with a grand reception at the new prestigious Balmoral Convention Center, Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

The WED Dream Wedding is an initiative of WED Expo – Nigeria’s Largest Wedding Exhibition and it is a contest that gives a lucky couple the wedding of their dreams by bringing together industry leaders and top experts in different fields to make the wedding free.

“This wedding promises to be the wedding of 2017 as only the best in different fields have been chosen to be part of the dream team.” Said the CEO of WED Expo, Mr Akin Eso.

The birth of the WED Dream Wedding is an indication that Valentine’s Day will not be the same again. The WED Dream Wedding is an impossible feat for an individual or a single company considering the expenses involved but the strategic partnership with Cakes by Tosan for cakes, Make up by Banke Meshida-Lawal, Décor by Nwando Signature, Planning by IPC Events, Special Effects by Innovate Media, Lighting by Nelson Jack, Desserts by CDF Desserts, AsoOke by Molbaks, Wedding Dress by Nuraniya and Imani Swank Bridals, Suits by TaryorGabriels, Beads by HRM Signature, Grooms 2nd suit by Bankole Thomas, Brides 2nd dress by MsMakor, 3rd dress by WeizDhurm Franklyn, Hair by TasalaHQ, Bridesmaids by Samuel Noon, Robes by Beryl Bridal, Cocktails by APlus Drinks, Q Band, Music by DJ Poppaey and DJ Skillz, Event Stationery by RadedPH, MC Alex Osho and Funny Prince, Photography by Euclase and Diko, Videography by LanreEsho Films and Wedding box Office, LED Furniture by Décor Kobo, Website by Ribonds, Photobooth by Photogenic, secured by Golden events solution and After Party Hosted by Bizzle – The Plug.

BEN AFFLECK’S MOVIE COMES TO NIGERIA
‘Live by Night’, a 2016 American crime drama film written, directed, co-produced by and starring Ben Affleck had its first private screening in Nigeria recently. Based on a 2012 novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane, the film revolves round the volcanic life of a World War 1 veteran, Joe Coughlin (Ben Affleck) who is caught up in a world of crime, gangsters, women and the government.

An impressive feature of the movie is its peerless cast which include Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Chris Messina, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana and Chris Cooper and follows an Ybor City bootlegger who becomes a notorious gangster.

The film has all the good feelings of an ‘old school’ movie while giving us a taste of what heaven looks like as seen in one of the scenes in the movie where a car was cruising in a place that can only be described as heaven.
Lauded by the selected guests at the private screening, the movie will debut in Nigeria’s cinemas on Friday, January 20, 2017.

Impressed by the exceptional storyline and positive reaction from the audience, Blue Picture’s CEO, Joy Ilibeno-Odiete said “We had always known that the audience would love this film but we didn’t envisage that the love would be this overwhelming. I am so happy right now and this shows how great this movie would do when it hits the cinemas across Nigeria on Friday, January 20, 2017.”