Tag Archives: Alex Okosi

Elba, YouTube, MTV Base in concert return

MTV Base Africa, YouTube and British actor and producer Idris Elba have announced the return of the Africa Day concert, which is slated for May 25.

Idris Elba (photo: Harald Krichel)

According to ViacomCBS-owned channel MTV Base, this year’s concert will shine a light on Africa’s next generation of talent that is making its mark on the global stage. It will be hosted by Golden Globe and SAG Award winner Elba.

The event will feature artists and performers from South Africa, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Kenya, including Bahati, Bella Shmurda, Blaq Diamond, Elaine, Focalistic, Gyakie, Omah Lay, Suspect 95, Teni and Zuchu.

Alex Okosi, MD at YouTube EMEA Emerging Markets, took to Instagram to say: “We are doing it again. Celebrating Africa and showcasing our talent to the world. Salute to my bro Idris Elba for his commitment to the mission.”

The event will stream on YouTube at 19.00 CAT/18.00 WAT and on MTV Base DStv channel 322 at 21.00 CAT.

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ViacomCBS rejigs senior team in Africa

ViacomCBS Networks International (VCNI) has rejigged its executive leadership team in Africa ahead of veteran exec Alex Okosi’s move to YouTube EMEA.

Craig Paterson

Craig Paterson, senior VP, business operations for VCN Africa, and Monde Twala, VP of VCN Africa’s BET and of youth and music at VCNI and Africa, have been elevated to lead VCN Africa as co-general managers.

They will take up the positions on March 1 after Okosi leaves his role as executive VP and MD of VCN Africa and BET International at the end of February to join YouTube as MD of the Google-owned platform’s EMEA emerging markets.

As senior VP and general manager at VCN Africa, Paterson will be responsible for all corporate functions, including business development and strategy.

He spent nearly five years at Viacom, beginning in 2011 as VP of operations and finance in Africa and returned to the company in 2018 as senior VP of business operations in Africa.

Monde Twala

As senior VP and general manager, editorial at VCN Africa, Twala will focus on content, creative, editorial and marketing for VCNI brands.

Twala joined the company in 2016 after nearly 20 years’ experience in the South African broadcasting and media industry.

“Since launching MTV Base in 2005, Alex has spearheaded the development of our business on the continent, which now delivers more channels to Africa than any other international network, reaching 100 million viewers in 48 territories across MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and BET,” said Raffaele Annecchino, president of ViacomCBS Networks EMEA and Asia.

“Craig and Monde are experts in their respective areas and in addition to incredible business acumen, have demonstrated leadership and collaborative excellence throughout each of their careers and tenures with the company,” added Annecchino.

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Nickelodeon preps NickFest Nigeria

Children’s network Nickelodeon Africa is set to hold the third edition of NickFest Nigeria in Lagos in September.

The annual family festival takes place on September 28 and 29 at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Federal Palace, Victoria Island in Lagos

Organised by the African arm of Nickelodeon parent Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), in partnership with drinks brand Maltina, the event is expected to see more than 6,000 children and families attend.

Alex Okosi, executive VP and MD at VIMN Africa and BET International, said: “NickFest Nigeria 2019 provides an amazing opportunity to bring children and families together for an awesome festival filled with their favourite Nickelodeon characters, superstar musicians and other engaging entertainment. It is through our continued partnership with Maltina that we are able to bring this memorable experience again to Nigeria.”

Emmanuel Oriakhi, marketing director of Maltina owner Nigerian Breweries, added: “We are very proud to partner with Nickelodeon to bring all the excitement of Nickfest Nigeria to the whole family. Nickfest is one of those events that the whole family can enjoy and it’s an event that nourishes those precious family moments.”

According to the beverage firm: “This year’s NickFest Nigeria 2019 will involve plenty of singing and dancing and will feature superstar characters from Nickelodeon such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Paw Patrol, The Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Shimmer & Shine.

“The two-day event will also feature The Celebrity Slime Challenge, where popular personalities are ‘slimed’ green in an effort to raise both awareness and funds for children’s support through NGO projects in Nigeria,” the company added.

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MTV Shuga drama returns to Nigeria

Drama series MTV Shuga, which recently premiered its new season in South Africa, is making its way to Nigeria and is in search of new talent.

Produced by award-winning producer Tope Oshin, MTV Shuga addresses issues affecting young people such as sexual health, gender-based violence, contraception, family planning and other social issues. In the show, participants who will be judged based on their originality and acting skills.

Auditions will be held on April 4 at the Classique Event Centre, Ikeja, Lagos and registration can be done here. Interested people must be Nigerian, aged over 18 and be ready to provide a valid photo identification and a headshot photo.

Georgia Arnold, executive director of the MTV Staying Alive Foundation, said: “We are excited to bring back the public auditions for the new season of MTV Shuga Naija.

“Our aim is to continue using relatable storytelling to educate and empower young people about social issues like contraception, sexual health, family planning and gender-based violence. We can’t wait to discover amazing new talent to join the MTV Shuga family.”

Over the years, youths have been able to make more informed decisions based on the viewing of this drama series, according to Alex Okosi, executive VP and MD at Viacom International Media Networks and BET International.

“MTV Shuga provides an important narrative for our African youth with socially relevant content that resonates globally. This call for auditions is a platform for young talent on the continent to open up the industry with diverse storytelling.”

Talent that has come out of MTV Shuga includes Timini Egbuson, Emmanuel Ikubese, Bukola Oladipupo, Helena Nelson and Jemima Osunde.

MTV Shuga, a long-running drama series and multimedia campaign that was pioneered in Kenya in 2009, is a multi-sectorial partnership led by the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and is supported by MTV Base Africa, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund and other NGOs.

Set to be on screens in September 2019, the show is aired on Viacom international channels around the world. The content is also offered rights-free to third-party broadcasters and content platforms, and used as a teaching aid by educators, healthcare workers and grassroots HIV/AIDS organisations around the world.

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Families have a blast at NickFest 2018

Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa and Nigeria’s Got Talent winner Amarachi at NickFest

The second edition of family event NickFest Nigeria, organised by children’s TV channel Nickelodeon, took place in Lagos this week.

The two-day event, held at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, welcomed more than 4,000 families with children to experience being with popular Nickelodeon characters.

Sponsored by Indomie, DSTV Nigeria, Cussons Baby, Nunu Milk, Maltina and Nickelodeon parent company Viacom International Media Networks Africa (VIMN Africa), this year’s event was anchored by TV personality Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa and the winner of Nigeria’s Got Talent, Amarachi.

There were performances by Nigerian artistes like MI Abaga, Mayorkun, Falz, Simisola and Adekunle Gold.

Several Nickelodeon characters performed in shows as well, including ones from SpongeBob SquarePants, Paw Patrol, Dora the Explorer, Shimmer & Shine and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

One parent at the event, held on September 29 and 30, said: “NickFest thrilled kids and parents alike today, thanks to Nickelodeon, in partnership with Maltina. We had fun, we appreciate them.”

There was a celebrity slime challenge, which involved personalities being covered with green slime in an attempt to raise funds for kids through NGO projects in Nigeria.

Alex Okosi, executive VP and MD at VIMN Africa and sister company BET International, said: “NickFest delivers an amazing experience for families to enjoy the best of Nickelodeon. We are thrilled to bring the festival back to Nigeria in partnership with Maltina for a second consecutive year.”

“This is indeed an exciting partnership for Maltina. We recognise that we are all busy and, more often than not, life just gets in the way, making family time that much more important,” added Ngozi Nkwoji, portfolio manager of non-alcoholic drinks for Maltina parent Nigerian Breweries.

“As a brand that is all about nourishing family moments, we are proud to partner with Nickelodeon again to bring all the excitement of NickFest to the whole family. NickFest is one of those events that the whole family can enjoy and is an event that nourishes those precious family moments.”

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Nigerian pair in Kids’ Choice Awards

Child comedienne Emmanuella and popular musician Davido, both from Nigeria, have been nominated for the 31st Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.

Award nominees Davido and Emmanuella

Emmanuella and Davido are nominees in the international award category of Favourite African Star. The other African nominees are: Eddy Kenz (Uganda), Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania), Cassper Nyovest (South Africa) and Caster Semenya (South Africa).

This is the first time Emmanuella has been nominated. The seven-year-old, who recently hinted to fans she will be featuring in a Disney movie soon, hosted the maiden edition of NickFest Nigeria in November 2017, alongside media personality Ik Osakioduwa.

The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards will be held in California on March 24 and aired live on Nickelodeon, available in Africa via DStv channel 305, and Nick Toons, on DStv channel 308. It will be hosted by John Cena.

Alex Okosi, executive VP and MD of Viacom International Media Networks Africa, said: “The Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards offer a platform for African stars to be recognised for their excellence in their various talents including, music, sport and television by kids all over the globe.

“We are delighted to feature the continent’s highly talented nominees in the Favorite African Stars category where Black Coffee is nominated for the Favorite Global Music Star category alongside international counterparts.”

Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards is an annual award show that honours the year’s biggest TV, music and movie acts as voted by Nickelodeon viewers.

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