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‘Pikin wey wan spoil…’ BBNaija not the problem By Victor Ojelabi

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4 years ago

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Just in the space of 24 hours, Nigerians were rudely shocked with the unprecedented increase of electric tariff to over 200%, a hike in fuel price, a systematic reduction in savings interest across boards, and an increment in pay cable subscription from DSTV. Reminiscent of the youths of yore that produced such ground-breaking ‘Ali Must Go’ riots of Yester yore, today’s youths codenamed ‘Twitter Warriors’ or ‘Netizen soldiers’ only took to social media with clever memes, skits, posts, and savage replies to communicate their grievances over these developments.

Besides the nonchalance and disinterest of, today’s Nigerian youths to matters that affect them directly is the issue of the sliding values and crippling moral decadence that seem to have taken dominance today. Quite surprisingly, year in and out, in the past four years, to say the least, many Nigerians want to blame these disinterest and decadence on the TV Reality show, Big Brother Naija, BBNaija, for short.

Unfortunately, I, like many others, believe that nothing concrete will follow this as we as Nigerians will again vindicate the late Abami Eda’s Nigerians who are adept at adjusting to adapt while ‘suffering and smiling’. Let it be known that this article is not an attempt to hold brief for the show, its organizers or advertisers, rather, this is an attempt in redirecting Nigerians angst, frustration, and blame in the right direction.

Some days ago, I was driving to Ikoyi from the mainland on an official assignment. To make my commute less boring, I turned on the radio and began scanning through the stations for good music to vibe to. In the course of my search, my ‘radar’ settled on Nigerian Info, a serious talk show content-based radio. The voice of Joyce Onyemuwa, a favorite OAP I love to listen to from her days at Cool FM, wafted through the car.

The conversation she was having in a phone-in segment of her midday show was on the ongoing BBNaija reality gameshow. From her tone and that of virtually all listeners that called in, the TV show is the worst thing that happened to mankind since the fallout of man in the Garden of Eden. Calls from Christians, Muslims, Atheists, Moralists, etc., on the topic were on how the show was promoting moral decadence through sexual promiscuity, alcoholism and other related vices.

Surprisingly, and to the best of my knowledge, not a single caller called in to defend the show or give a counter argument. Perhaps, this is for fear of ‘going against the traffic’ or holding an unpopular opinion. However, it is, I was gravely disappointed because I am sure the show has a cult following boasting millions. A simple research on the number of Dothrakis (allusion to Game of Thrones) or Explorers (allusion to the popular cartoon series, Dora the Explorer) as followers of one of the Housemates, Dora, are known; Elites for Erica or Icons for Laycon or Ninjas for Nengi will reveal as much. Unfortunately, I was driving and could not call in to make some really salient points I felt was necessary.

The Nigerian Info instance is a representation of what is happening across the Nigerian social media space where an intense albeit not really intellectual debate on the propriety or otherwise of airing BBNaija is raging. I refer to it as not intellectual because I have heard some pastors who preferred to rain curses on the sponsors and participants, better called housemates – rather than address the heart of the matter.

In this debate there are abnormally three sides to the coin. There is a group that posits that BBNaija is inappropriate and should not be aired at all. They argue that the show serves as a distraction to Nigerian youths from pertinent national issues. This group goes as far as suggesting that the government targets the period of the show to take actions it wouldn’t take on a normal day because it shows Nigerians will be preoccupied. The second group posits that although they don’t watch it probably because of its unsuitable content, it should not be barred for others who may actually like it. The third group posit that BBNaija is an entertainment programme, which necessarily must not have a positive effect on society, and thus it can and should be aired. All groups are entitled to their opinion, regardless.

So, what is mine? BBNaija is a reality show with aims and objectives streamlined accordingly. Lets look at reality shows and their antecedents in Nigeria. Since the maiden edition of Big Brother Africa (BBA) in 2001, in which a Nigerian was featured in a reality show for the first time, reality TV programmes have become the ‘new big thing.’ Realities shows continue to snowball. They include Star Quest (2002), Gulder Ultimate Search (2004), Who Wants to be a Millionaire (2005), MTN Family Game Show (2005), Three Crowns Family Game Show (2005), Next Movie Star (2005), Amstel Malta Box Office (2005), Big Brother Nigeria now Big Brother Naija (2006), MTN Project Fame West Africa (2008), Malta Guinness Street Dance (2008) and Peak Talent Hunt (2009).

Others are: Glo Naija Sings (2009), Sprite Triple Slam (2010), National Comedy Challenge (2010), Lucozade Boost Freestyle (2010), Roc Da Mic Nigeria (2011), Nigerian Idols (2011), The Voice Nigeria, Nigerians Got Talent, Glo X Factor, Access the Stars and Oceanic Football Challenge (now rested), among others have filled the television airwaves.

Obviously, brands invest billions into these reality shows for reasons. They are definitely in business to make money, as such are not doing this solely ‘from the goodness of their hearts.’ Therefore, there are primary and secondary objectives of sponsoring these TV reality shows. They are primarily to build awareness, develop customer loyalty and improve brands’ perception. The secondary reasons are more contentious, but generally, they could be seen to attract new users, support dealers and other intermediaries and act as a form of staff motivation and morale boosting. Long story short, they are out to boost ROI, make more money and get more customers.

Now, blaming BBNaija for the increasing moral decadence in the society or for the obvious disinterest of the Nigerian youth to partisan affairs is tantamount to giving a dog a bad name just to hang it. BBNaija is like a buffet where several dishes and drinks are served just for your choosing. Because you do not like pork which is a part of the buffet, for instance, you don’t go about complaining about its presence on the buffet table or because others are eating it.

Same thing with BBNaija. It airs on a dedicated channel on DSTV. Organisers have taken time to run a campaign informing viewers that the show is strictly for those above the 18-year age bracket. The implication is that those on this age bracket are adults who have the full understanding of what the term, ‘choice’ implies and can take responsibility for their actions. Channel blocking has also been advised for viewers due to the nature of the show. This means that the channel can completely be removed if so wished. The calls for banning the show is akin to asking that sexually explicit websites and platforms be banned. As implausible as this sounds, that is how it seems. Allowing a younger audience to watch the BBNaija shows a high level of irresponsibility on the path of parents or guardians therefore as the show is clearly not meant for them. It’s like allowing children take alcohol because it is on the buffet table.

I am most certain that if the show should be scrapped today, perhaps forever, we will still have our many problems with us. Our youths will get even more proficient at adjusting to whatever the government of the day throws at them. Moral values will slide even further as decadence will continue to become a norm. Most assuredly, there will be other shows, reality or recorded, other events and many other reasons for our youths to be preoccupied with, other than pertinent issues heating up the polity.

Instead of this holier-than-thou stance many Nigerians are adopting against this show, instead of being more ‘Pope or Imam’ than the holders of these positions, why don’t we consider the content of BBNaija and the micro and macro-economic benefits of BBNaija and just let the matter be? It may look like a mystery, but the show is beyond the people and the host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, himself a past contestant, we see on the screen for 99 days. There is more to the show than the contestants; the crew members, brands, small and medium-sized businesses, online vendors and entertainers who visit the house, are also huge beneficiaries of the BBNaija show.

At the backstage making the work happen are more than 100 crew members; cameramen, photographers, housekeepers and many others in their hundreds who get paid for making the reality show a true reality. The show host, Ebuka Uchendu, once shared a photo in 2019 of about 100 crew members (directly hired) to work behind the scenes to bring the show to viewers. The multiplying effect of this on the economy of a nation cannot be underestimated. The show made a remarkable move last year when it gave out a Nigerian made car to Mercy Eke, winner of the 2019 edition. This move earned MultiChoice commendation from many Nigerians and it has further promoted the Innoson made vehicle to other parts of Africa.

Before BBNaija 2019, not so many people knew about a smartphone brand called Oppo. It gained exposure that has translated to an increase in patronage and revenue by joining other brands like Bet9ja, Pepsi, Gulder to sponsor weekly games on the show. The small and medium-sized business owners who are contracted as vendors to supply necessities like food, wearables, cosmetics, toiletries to the house during the show have also seen exponential growth in their businesses by associating with the show. Many of these businesses run online shops, by exposing their brands on the show to over 40 million viewers across Africa, their hitherto small businesses have received a higher degree of patronage from Nigeria and other African countries.

In October 2019, House of Lunettes, a brand that makes eyeglasses announced that it sold out its products a few hours after Tacha Akhide became its brand ambassador. Such is the power BBNaija wields. Entertainers and DJs who visit the housemates have also enjoyed a high degree of publicity that has further positioned their brands to the consciousness of not just Nigerians, but millions of Africans. We may not be able to put a figure to the huge impact of BBNaija on the nation’s economy, it is clear that solving the economy puzzle remains a daunting prospect, which the show alone cannot solve, but it is making a giant step in proffering a solution.

Over the years, MultiChoice, through BBNaija, has continued to churn out talents taking over the creative scene; Gideon Okeke, Bisola Aiyeola, Ifu Ennada among many other past contestants have made names in Nollywood. Efe Ejeba winner of the 2017 edition went on to pursue a career in music and Miracle Igbokwe through his cash prize in the 2018 edition was able to achieve his long term dream of becoming a pilot. Though he didn’t stay in the creative industry like other contestants, BBNaija has helped him fulfill his dream, what more can he ask for?

The likes of Tobi Bakre, who has featured in movies and soap operas, Mike Edwards a brand ambassador for Nigeria family of Japanese automotive manufacturers, Mitsubishi and many others are also making good use of the fame the platform brought to register their names in the creative scene. With the dearth of talent harvesting shows and many other reality TV shows that the harsh economy has frustrated to wind up, commendation must be given to MultiChoice Nigeria for weathering the storm and providing a way out of the conundrum to make BBNaija a major contributor to the growth of the creative industry.

The show is an instance of the macro Nigerian society, a mirror of the sociological and psychological makeup of our country and the Nigerian individual. There has been alleged sexual escapades in the house; ‘alleged’ is the keyword as organisers have been very careful of exposing viewers to explicit sexual activities in the house. Sex unfortunately is not something that is new to us as a society. It is a reality of our existence. Its suggested portrayal to adults cannot be responsible for moral decadence, far from it.

‘Pikin wey wan spoil go don spoil tey tey.’ This assertion holds true because moral decadence can be traced back to the very first point of socialization; the family. Any perceived or imagined vice on the show is a reflection of what is obtainable in our society. The family, educational institutions or the society at large has been an abysmal failure in serving as a moral compass to the youth and passing the blame buck to BBNaija is irresponsibility!

Victor Ojelabi (08128215984) is a writer and publisher of Freelanews.com

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EFCC grants ex-Delta gov, Okowa, bail over alleged N1.3trn fraud

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6 hours ago

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November 7, 2024

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The Port Harcourt zonal command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has granted administrative bail to Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, a former governor of Delta State for alleged diversion of N1.3 trillion 13% derivation fund from the federation account between 2015 and 2023.

 

Society Reporters reports that Okowa was arrested on Monday, November 4, 2024, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, when he reported at the Port Harcourt Directorate of the EFCC on the invitation of investigators handling his matter.

 

 

We reliably gathered that the former governor left the facility of the anti-graft agency at about 9 pm Wednesday night.

 

According to the source: “He left the facility at about 9 pm yesterday (Wednesday).

 

“Okowa is expected to return soon to provide documents and answer more questions before the matter will be charged to court”.

 

The former governor was alleged to have failed to render accounts of the 13% derivation funds as well as another N40 billion he allegedly claimed he used to acquire shares in UTM Floating Liquefied Natural Gas.

 

 

Specifically, Okowa allegedly bought shares worth N40 billion in one of the major banks in the country representing 8% equity to float the offshore LNG. The funds were alleged to be used for other purposes, including acquiring estates in Abuja and Asaba in Delta state.

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Ifechukwude Okonjo: Man convicted of theft in US emerges traditional ruler in Nigeria

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23 hours ago

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November 6, 2024

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When Ifechukwude Okonjo emerged as the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku in Delta State in September 2019, there was no indication that he had been convicted of a crime in the US.

Ogwa-Uku is a community in Anaocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, Nigeria’s South-South.

Mr Okonjo succeeded his father, Chukuka Okonjo, a professor whose death was announced on 13 September 2019.

Findings by PREMIUM TIMES showed that he was crowned days after the death of his father.

Chukuka Okonjo the traditional ruler

Conviction in the US

According to court documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES, Mr Okonjo was convicted of theft in April 1997 at the Circuit Court for Montgomery County, State of Maryland, in the US.

The court documents showed that his younger brother, Onyema Okonjo, was also convicted of a similar offence on 23 January 1998.

Charges, arraignment and trial

Mr Okonjo was first criminally indicted on 20 April 1995 and summoned to appear before a judge the following day.

After initially failing to make his appearance on 12 August 1995, he finally showed up at the court on 14 July of this same year.

He was initially charged with theft and conspiracy to commit the crime with his younger brother, Onyema.

Specifically, the first count charge indicated that Mr Okonjo stole “assorted computers and computer peripheral equipment, the property of Digital Equipment Corporation, having the value of $300 or greater” between 23 January 1995 and 24 March 1995 in Montgomery County, Maryland.

According to the court document, the offence violated Article 27, Section 342 of the Annotated Code of Maryland and was against the peace, government, and dignity of the US state.

He was released on bail on “personal recognisance” after paying a $2,500 bail bond.

Then unemployed and single, Mr Okonjo resided with his elder sister, Ngozi Okonjo, at 7004 West Greenvale Parkway, Chary Chase, MD 20815, in the US.

Ngozi Okonjo, now popularly known as Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has been the director-general of the World Trade Organisation since March 2021.

At the time of the trial, Mr Okonjo was 30 and had lived in the US for nine years. He is now 57.

His brother, Onyema, was criminally indicted by the court on 18 October 1996, and a bench warrant was issued against him the same day.

By then, Onyema was 28 years old and married; he is now 55. He made his first court appearance on 14 November 1997.

His charge indicated that he committed the crime of theft and conspiracy between 28 October 1993 and 24 March 1995 in Montgomery County, Maryland.

According to the court documents, he claimed to be homeless at the time.

Like his brother, Onyema was released on bail on “personal recognisance.”

Mr Okonjo and Onyema were told that the condition of their release was that they should appear in court during sittings or their bail bond would be forfeited.

They were also told that failure to surrender themselves within 30 days after the bail forfeiture might cause them to be further charged, fined and/or imprisoned.

Sentencing

Mr Okonjo and Onyema, after their bail, separately failed to appear before the court on hearing and trial dates, forfeited their bail bonds and also “willfully” failed to surrender themselves within 30 days after the forfeiture, according to the court documents.

One of the documents indicated that Onyema left the US after being granted bail.

The court then separately charged and found Mr Okonjo and Onyema guilty of failing to surrender themselves within 30 days of their bail forfeiture.

Consequently, the court, on 29 April 1997, sentenced Mr Okonjo to six months imprisonment.

For the first count of theft of assorted computers worth $300, the court also sentenced Mr Okonjo to one-year imprisonment beginning from 4 April 1997, when the judgment was delivered.

The court documents did not indicate if the sentences were to run concurrently.

Similarly, the court, on 23 January 1998, sentenced Onyema to 57 days imprisonment.

It is unclear if Mr Okonjo and Onyema served their jail terms in the US or ran back to Nigeria, given that they had jumped bail before their conviction.

Honoured in Nigeria

In 2019, after their father’s death, Mr Okonjo and Onyema joined other princes in the contest for the traditional stool of the Ogwashi-Uku Community.

The community residents were unaware that the duo had been convicted of theft in the US.

After the contest, Mr Okonjo emerged as the community’s traditional ruler and was crowned days later.

He is now the Obi of Ogwashi-Uku, the highest traditional authority in the community.

Petition to the SSS

The conviction of Mr Okonjo and Onyema im the US became public knowledge after some community members obtained certified true copies of the court judgment.

Some members of the community subsequently petitioned the Delta State Government and the State Security Service (SSS) and accused Mr Okonjo of engaging in land grabbing, illegal arms dealings, harassment of indigenes, and formation of armed militia groups, among others.

The petition to the SSS, dated 4 October 2024 and addressed to the SSS director-general, was authored by F.O. Okolie, a law firm, on behalf of some community members.

The community members on whose authority the petition was authored included Chiedu Enwenwa, Hyacinth Okolie, Ellen Adigwe and Bruce Ugo Emordi.

In the petition, the community members claimed that Mr Okonjo, Onyema and others recruited some unnamed gunmen from South-east Nigeria into the community’s vigilante security outfit.

They alleged that the recruited gunmen were being used to forcefully take over people’s landed property and also to commit violent crimes such as kidnapping and murder.

They also claimed that the duo and others were using police operatives to intimidate community members, alleging that the issue had earlier been reported to the police authorities in Nigeria and that no action had been taken.

They expressed fear that, given the current tension, the community was on the verge of being thrown into war and a breakdown of law and order.

The community members, in the petition, appealed to the SSS to investigate all the community vigilante groups and palace guards as well as the alleged kidnap and murder of some indigenes of the community.

They also called for an investigation into Mr Okonjo’s alleged “illegitimate dealings in prohibited firearms” allegedly imported into the community by gunmen.

Palace speaks

On 31 October, a PREMIUM TIMES reporter contacted Ifeakanachukwu Emordi, Mr Okonjo’s palace secretary, to seek to speak with the traditional ruler about the allegations.

After dismissing Mr Okonjo’s conviction for theft as untrue, Mr Emordi promised to get the traditional ruler to speak with our reporter on the phone.

Minutes later, Onyema phoned our reporter and claimed, without evidence, that the petitioners were not representatives of Ogwashi-Uku.

Regarding the allegations of land grabbing, he claimed that all lands in Ogwashi-Uku are held in trust by the traditional ruler in accordance with the community’s traditions and customs.

“That’s our land tenure system. Obi doesn’t have to grab any land that is under his custody,” he said.

He said the SSS should be allowed to investigate the allegation of recruiting gunmen into the community’s vigilante groups and harassment of indigenes.

When quizzed about the conviction of the traditional ruler in the US, he responded, “We are not aware of that.”

Our reporter again requested to speak with the traditional ruler. Onyema promised to inform the traditional ruler and revert. But he did not get back to the reporter.

When contacted again on 6 November, nearly a week after, he claimed Mr Okonjo was busy and not available to speak on the issues.

Onyema said he might get another person to respond before the end of the week if the traditional ruler remained unavailable.

When our reporter informed him that court documents shows that he too was convicted in the US, Onyema retorted, “I can’t speak to all of these issues.”

“We will get back to you to try to clear the air as far as any of these issues are concerned,” he added.

Commission of enquiry

In response to the petition, the Delta State Government set up a commission of enquiry to investigate the allegations against the traditional ruler, particularly on land-related issues.

The commission is expected to begin a public hearing on Thursday and conclude it on 20 November 2024, according to an announcement from the Secretary to the commission, Gabriel Eze-Owenz, a lawyer.

SEE COURT DOCUMENT BELOW

DOCUMENT 1 

DOCUMENT 2

DOCUMENT 3 

 

SOURCE: PREMIUM TIMES

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OANDO WINS ‘DEAL OF THE YEAR’ AWARD AT AFRICA ENERGY WEEK 2024

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1 day ago

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November 6, 2024

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Oando Plc, Africa’s leading energy solutions provider listed on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NGX) and Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) is pleased to announce that the Company has emerged winner of the ‘Deal of the Year’ award at Africa Energy Week (AEW) 2024.

The Africa Energy Chamber (AEC), the organisers of the annual week-long oil and gas conference, hosted and recognised different stakeholders at a Gala and Award night held at the Cape Town International Conference Centre (CITCC), on Tuesday, 5 November, 2024.

In a category comprising other high-profile deals in the sector and across Africa, Oando won the award in recognition of the Company’s recently completed landmark $783 million acquisition of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) from the Italian Energy firm Eni on 22 August, 2024.

This acquisition, 10 years in the making since Oando’s initial entry into the ConocoPhillips/NAOC/NNPC Joint Venture (JV) in 2014 when the Company acquired ConocoPhillips Nigeria business, doubled the company’s stake in the JV to 40% and operator of the assets.

In receiving the award, the Company’s Group Chief Executive, Wale Tinubu, remarked “We are delighted and honoured to receive the ‘Deal of the Year’ award from Africa Energy Week. It’s been a remarkable year on many fronts. First, we marked our 30th anniversary as a business, then concluded our strategic plan to acquire our second IOC in a decade, Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC) and step up to the role of operator.

“This award is more than just an accolade for a successful deal closure; it represents a public acknowledgement of the culmination of 30 years of grit, hard work, resilience, and sheer belief in our vision. It is a testament to my belief that with the #HumansOfOando, impossible is nothing. I’d like to thank the dream team, the #HumansOfOando, our financiers, and partners for their belief and role in making this award a reality.”

The acquisition is the culmination of a decade of preparation, strategic planning, and unwavering commitment to a vision of becoming Africa’s first indigenous International Oil Company.

It is a testament to the organisation’s 30-year journey spanning the entire energy value chain, with consistent and deliberate actions at each stage that have led to the advancement of indigenous participation in the industry.

The Deal of the Year award “recognises the most transformative and impactful deal in the energy sector – honouring excellence in negotiation, strategic alignment, innovation and collaboration – and celebrates deals that drive advancements in energy and economic growth.”

With this year’s AEW theme of “Invest in Africa Energies: Energy Growth Through an Enabling Environment”, the AEC, through the AEW Awards 2024, recognised other persons, International (IOCs) and National Oil Companies (NOCs) across the continent through awards in 10 categories.

 

Tinubu at the event also delivered a key note address with the topic, Transforming Africa’s Oil and Gas landscape through strategic Merger and Acqusition.

During the address he noted that indigenous companies contribute approximately 30% of the country’s crude oil production and hold around 40% of the total oil reserves. Additionally, they account for 60% of the country’s gas production and approximately 32% of gas reserves. This data underscores the growing significance of local players in the African oil and gas sector.

He also highlighted improvements in the business environment, citing the improved Ease of Doing Business driven by recent reforms that have attracted increased investments in energy. Tinubu pointed to the successful Implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), which has established a regulatory framework that enhances transparency and boosts investor confidence.

Tinubu’s remarks included a call for enhanced collaboration among policymakers, investors, and oil and gas companies to foster the growth of indigenous firms through supportive regulations, financing access, and technology transfer. He urged stakeholders to focus on leveraging M&As to diversify and expand capabilities within the sector while emphasizing the need to strengthen Africa’s institutional and financing capacity for local firms.

As Oando continues on its growth trajectory, Tinubu’s insights served as a powerful reminder of the strategic importance of indigenous companies in Africa’s energy transformation and the collective effort required to drive sustainable development across the continent.

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