Anthony Abraham: Unveiling Excellence in Pageantry and Beyond

 
Mary Nnah
 
In the dynamic and ever-evolving realm of Nigeria’s entertainment industry, there are few figures as multifaceted and accomplished as Anthony Abraham. With a career spanning various areas of the creative sector including entertainment news packaging, cinema, film distribution, pageantry, compere, mentorship, and content creation, Anthony is leaving indelible marks on the industry. His journey, intricately woven with the fabric of the Silverbird Group, showcases not only his passion for the arts but also his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Abraham’s story is one of determination, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of his dreams. He displayed an innate passion for storytelling early in life, coming from a background that liked motion pictures.

An eloquent and soft-spoken man, his foray into the world of entertainment began with entertainment presenting. Armed with a keen eye for details, a gift for storytelling, and not being star-struck with superstars, he quickly established himself as a prominent voice in the industry. From hosting red carpet events to conducting insightful interviews with A-list celebrities, producing and packaging events such as Tu Face Live in concert; Unusual Praise Gospel Concert; Royal Caribbean Cruise France, Italy, and Spain; Face of Sylvia’s Hair pageant among several others, Anthony’s style has no doubt captivated audiences and earned him widespread recognition. His ability to uncover the latest trends and provide unique perspectives also set him apart as a trailblazer in the field.

He would go on to interview some of the biggest names in the global music and film industry including R Kelly whom he interviewed twice, Busta Rhymes, Nas, Nelly, Ludacris, Sean Paul, The Game, Wyclef, Rick Ross, and T-Pain. Other leading international celebrities he interviewed include Chris Aire, Brandy Norwood, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, David Oyelowo, Sean Kingston, Idris Elba, Jidenna and so many others. On the local scene, he has interviewed several A-list entertainers such as Femi Kuti, Davido, Grammy Award-winning singer, Burna Boy, and several others.

Always eager to contribute his quota, his bosses soon noticed this unique quality and it didn’t take long for him to get involved with the Silverbird Group, where he ventured into different units like radio, film distribution, and cinema/ His keen understanding of audience preferences and market trends sees him contributing to the units whenever there are activations.

“Because I knew that they were all entertainment, I would sit down with those units and conceptualize ideas for activation of projects and be there for implementation. I was also part of the team that championed a lot more physical activations in terms of when we have movies, what can we create, and what experience can we give people during movie premieres. I did that last year with Fast and Furious, John Wick, and Mission Impossible as part of the creative team that decides the kind of events that can increase ticket sales.”

Abraham has also played a pivotal role in interviewing acclaimed international film executives and Hollywood stars.

In addition to his contributions to cinema, the graduate of Del York New York Film Academy, PAN African University, and Lagos State University has made significant strides in the world of pageantry. As a major driving force behind prestigious beauty pageants including The Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), he has been involved in every aspect of pageantry including being a concept creator and executor, a red carpet host, pageant host, content producer, chaperon, and even managing beauty queens, thus directly or indirectly providing a platform for young women to showcase their talent, intelligence, and poise on a global stage. His commitment to empowering women, and promoting diversity and inclusivity has earned him accolades and admiration from both participants and spectators alike. He has also groomed and mentored a lot of beauty queens both locally and at Miss World, Miss Universe, MBGN Ecowas, MBGN Tourism Mr. World Nigeria, Mr. World, and Supranational in Poland, while also interviewing several beauty queens including Agbani Darego, Miss World 2001 and Leila Lopes Miss Universe 2012.

“I was part of the team that led how we could begin to use technology for auditions, I was part of that project. Before we used to travel physically and when COVID hit, we had to re-strategise, so I was one of those people who championed the idea of using technology for casting, for auditions, at least the first phase where you could see them, they could upload their videos, have zoom interviews with them and now narrow it down, shortlist to an amount that was comfortable and safe to have around in physical audition.”

Not a jack of all trades master of none, Abraham is also a master compere whose skills were paved with countless hours of practice, perseverance, and a deep-rooted love for the art of hosting. Today, he stands as a towering figure in the vibrant tapestry of the Nigerian entertainment industry and social circles. With his exciting presence and charismatic stage persona, he has captivated audiences across the nation, earning acclaim as an outstanding master compere. From colourful birthday and wedding parties to glittering award ceremonies and prestigious corporate events, Anthony’s name is synonymous with excellence and professionalism.

 “For me, it’s not really about multitasking but diversifying because it’s just arts, and that arts is diversified in different forms. So, I know that its arts and art is creating opportunities for me and helping other talents discover what they are doing. So, it’s doing art, but diversifying in different forms. It could be in movies today, it could be in the news, tomorrow, it could be holding a microphone and it could also be working with women at beauty competitions”.

Abraham’s natural gift for engaging storytelling, quick wit, and magnetic charm set him apart, earning him widespread recognition and adulation from his audiences, peers, and industry stakeholders the likes of Keppy Ekpeyong-Bassey, Bolanle-Austen-Peters and American actress, comedian, and model, Tchina Rolanda Arnold. With each event he hosts, he effortlessly commands the stage, leaving an indelible impression on all who have had the privilege of witnessing his mastery.

One of the defining moments in Abraham’s career came in 2010 when he was selected as one of the high-profile personalities to host the inauguration ceremony of Nigeria’s 14th President, Goodluck Jonathan. It was a monumental occasion that demanded the utmost poise, professionalism, and gravitas – qualities that only a few can boast of. As the eyes of the nation turned to the historic event being broadcast live on Nigeria’s national television, Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), Anthony rose to the occasion, delivering a flawless performance that cemented his status as one of Nigeria’s premier compere.

Beyond his notable achievements on the grand stage, his impact extends far beyond the spotlight. He is strongly known for his philanthropic endeavours, using his platform to champion causes close to his heart and uplift young adults in diverse communities. He understands that there is a lot of talent in Nigeria and a huge chunk of them are underprivileged, hence he has created room for free mentorship, as an incubator for the creative industry in sectors like music, movie, and fashion all in a bid to ensure that young adults seeking to climb the ladder of success don’t make the mistakes he made as a greenhorn. Whether lending his voice to pageantry initiatives or supporting young adults, he exemplifies the true essence of a compassionate and socially conscious individual.

Arguably one of the best hands in his industry, he recognises the importance of shaping the future landscape by nurturing the next generation of talents. He occasionally takes aspiring media and content creation talents under his wing, imparting invaluable wisdom and guidance through Toyinta Academy, a training unit under his Tonyinta Network, a tech-driven media and entertainment company. His mentorship programs are inspiring countless individuals to pursue their passions while paving the way for a new wave of innovators and leaders in the creative industry. Tonyinta Network has recorded feats in Corporate video Miele, Corporate video Mallinson Tiles, Baobab Microfinance bank rebranding event activation, Media activation Sky Cinema, and several others.

As he continues to illuminate stages with his infectious energy and magnetic presence, his achievements as a master compere in the Nigerian entertainment scene only grow stronger with each passing day. With boundless passion, unwavering dedication, and an unimaginable commitment to excellence, he embodies the very essence of what it means to be a true luminary in the world of entertainment.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Abraham has embraced the power of content creation as a means of connecting with audiences on a deeper level. He has produced a myriad of engaging and thought-provoking content available across various platforms including his personalized social media spaces on Youtube@Antosays,

Instagram@anto_says, and X@anto_says. From gripping entertainment news to unique videos, Abraham’s creative vision knows no bounds, captivating audiences and sparking meaningful conversations.
Reflecting on his remarkable journey thus far, his achievements are wowing, even as he remains focused on bringing more contributions to the creative industry.

From leading on several entertainment fronts to providing a platform for emerging talents, his impact extends far beyond these confines.
As he continues to push the boundaries of creativity and innovation, one thing remains abundantly clear, Anthony Abraham is your first call in every sense of entertainment, as he stands out as a beacon of authenticity, professionalism, and integrity buoyed by passion, perseverance, and unwavering dedication.