Tag Archives: Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu

Amazon Studios grows teams in SA, Nigeria

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Gangs of Lagos

Amazon Studios is continuing its push into the African market with the addition of several executives to its original development teams in South Africa and Nigeria.

Mike-Steve Adeleye has been named senior scripted creative executive for Nigeria and Kemi Lala Akindoju has been appointed senior movies creative executive for the country.

Joining its South African originals team are Kaye Ann Williams, who will serve as head of scripted and movies, and Brendan Gabriel, senior unscripted creative executives.

All four execs will work on the team led by Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Amazon Prime Video’s principal head of content in Africa.

The appointments come one month after Amazon Prime Video launched a local version of its service in Nigeria.

Key upcoming titles on the local service are crime drama Gangs of Lagos and comedy format LOL: Last One Laughing Naija.

Produced by Jade Osiberu and Kemi Lala Akindoju and coproduced by Akin Omotoso, Gangs of Lagos follows a group of friends growing up on the streets of Nigeria’s largest city. The cast includes Tobi Bakre and Adesua Etomi-Wellington.

LOL: Last One Laughing Naija is a local adaptation of Japanese format LOL. The show sees 10 comedians attempting to make each other laugh, with the winner being the comedian who refrains from laughing for the longest time. The Nigerian version will be hosted by comedian Basketmouth.

Williams was formerly the head of local production and independent films at broadcasting company MultiChoice in South Africa, while Gabriel joins Amazon Studios from The Africa Channel, where he was senior VP of global content.

Akindoju was previously CEO of Nigeria’s The Make It Happen Productions and Adeleye was at MultiChoice in Nigeria, serving most recently as head of content for West Africa.

Ned Mitchell, Amazon Studios’ head of originals for Africa and the Middle East, said: “This immensely talented group joins with the singular goal of building Africa’s premiere studio and home for talent.

“Together with our colleagues and partners, we are at work to deliver authentic, premium and beloved hit scripted and unscripted series and movies to our local and global audiences.”

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Soap Tinsel hits 3,000 episodes

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The cast of Tinsel

Nigerian drama series Tinsel, which began airing in August 2008, reached its 3,000th episode on January 21 on AM Showcase (DStv channel 151).

The show, which has provided both a launchpad for many of Africa’s best-known faces on television and a rebirth for some veterans, will feature a guest appearance by prominent Nigerian comedian Ayo Makun.

It has also reimagined African soap opera, drawing audiences in with its intriguing storyline, which speaks to love, influence and scandal set against the backdrop of the Nigerian film industry.

M-Net West Africa channel director Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said: “Our local content story cannot be complete without a mention of our flagship soap opera, Tinsel.

“We are indeed happy to hit the 3,000th episode mark of this stellar series. At MultiChoice, we remain committed to growing and promoting local content and talent as we continue to expand the boundaries of African film and television production.

“Tinsel owes its longevity to its amazing cast, stellar directing, multifaceted storyline and high production values.”

Over the years, Tinsel has featured actors including Gideon Okeke, Gbenro Ajibade, Damilola Adegbite, Chris Attoh, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Iretiola Doyle, Victor Olaotan, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi and Yul Edochie.

The drama series won an Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award for the best M-Net original drama series in 2017.

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Africa Magic awards hosts named

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AMVCA hosts IK Osakioduwa and Amina Abdi Rabar

Africa Magic has revealed the hosts for the seventh edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

Media personality IK Osakioduwa and a new female co-host, Amina Abdi Rabar, will front this year’s event, which takes place on March 14 at the Eko Suites and Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Rabar is a top Kenyan TV and radio presenter who has worked on various shows on the DStv platform such as MNET’s lifestyle and entertainment show Moments on Ebony Life TV, Maisha Superstar on Maisha Magic East and currently The Turn Up on Maisha Magic East.

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, channel director at Africa Channels, said: “We are excited to present Amina Abdi Rabar as the new female co-host of the edition of the AMVCAs. She is vivacious, full of wit and has a very cheerful personality. We look forward to her and IK bringing some magic on stage as we gather to celebrate the best in film and television.”

In addition, a new category, Best Dressed Award, has also been introduced aimed at celebrating the best of fashion and style at the glamorous event while honouring outstanding performances in film and television across the continent.

“We are excited about this new category because not only is the AMVCA a night when the best stars in African film and TV are celebrated, it is also famed for being the biggest showcase of fashion, glitz and glam on the continent,” said Uzoukwu.

“We look forward to this addition to the awards event and we urge celebrities and guests to make a bold statement on the red carpet and enter for a chance to win the inaugural AMVCA Best Dressed statuette. The award for the best dressed male and female at the event will be voted for on Instagram by fans and viewers across the continent on the awards day.”

“The event, which will host Africa’s top movie stars, creatives and filmmakers, will be broadcast live on all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv at 4pm WAT.

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Africa Magic unveils reality series

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MultiChoice-owned movie channel Africa Magic is launching four new TV reality shows aimed at creating platforms for sharing Africa’s stories as well as investing in the development of local content and talent.

Date My Family, Confessions and Unmarried began airing on January 5, 6 and 8 respectively, while Dr Laser will debut on January 10.

Date my Family is a 45-minute dating show that features a suitor who has to choose a winning date based on his experience with three different families of three potential dates. It will air until April 26.

Confessions is a 30-minute show that enables viewers to witness real-life confessions between siblings, friends and love interests.

Unmarried is a drama series that follows the lives of three friends who encounter challenges in their relationships, careers and dating lives.

Dr Laser is a medical reality show that showcases people undergoing plastic surgery in Nigeria. It reveals what inspires human decisions to undergo such procedures and the aftermath of their decisions. It will show until April 3.

Channel director Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said: “Reality TV shows are extremely popular because they showcase real people experiencing real-life circumstances and situations, thus connecting with viewers and fans on a more personal and relatable level. Following the success of Big Brother Naija, Date My Family, Dr Laser, Confessions and Unmarried have been curated to address and confront real-life issues from the African perspective.”
The shows are aired on Africa Magic Showcase (channel 151).

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AMVCAs attract 3,000 entries

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Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu

The 2018 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) have received more than 3,000 entries from across Africa, with the shortlist of nominees to be revealed later this month.

Ghanaian actress Joselyn Dumas and Nigerian comedian Bovi will unveil the nominees in each category on June 30. The AMVCAs are organised by MultiChoice-owned African broadcaster Africa Magic.

The number of entries was revealed by Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, director of MultiChoice division M-Net West Africa, who added that the event’s judges had reviewed each entry thoroughly before making selections for the shortlist.

The nominees will be announced live on all Africa Magic channels on DSTV and GOtv at 19.00, West African time.

The annual AMVCAs celebrate the contribution of African filmmakers, actors and technicians to the African film and TV industry. The sixth edition will be held on September 1 this year and will be broadcast live on all Africa Magic channels.

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AMVCAs to be held in September

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Pay TV operator MultiChoice has announced that the sixth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) will take place on September 1 this year.

John Ugbe
Entries for the AMVCAs will begin on March 1 and end on April 30. Only films or TV series that were broadcast or publicly screened during the period October 1, 2016 to March 31, 2018 are eligible for entry.

This year’s award ceremony is sponsored by Konga and supported by Nokia and Heritage Bank.

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, director of MultiChoice-owned M-Net West Arica, said: “Nearly one year after the last AMVCAs, we are pleased to announce the call to entry for the 2018 edition.”

In all there will be 27 award categories, seven of which will be open to the public, the remaining 20 categories will be deliberated upon by the AMVCA panel of judges. The categories will include; best actor/actress, best director, best scriptwriter, best short film, best movie soundtrack and best costume design.

John Ugbe, MD of MultiChoice Nigeria, added: “We have been inundated by calls from filmmakers across Africa, with everyone asking when the AMVCAs would return for another edition.

“After a brief hiatus, we are thrilled to announce that 2018 will indeed mark the sixth consecutive year of MultiChoice and Africa Magic successfully hosting the AMVCAs and we remain proud of the improvements seen in the industry since the inception of the awards as we know that these cannot be ignored or overstated.

“Furthermore, our continued investment demonstrates our dedication in helping unearth and celebrate talent on continent. We believe the 2018 edition of the AMVCAs will leave an even bigger impact on the African film production industry than the previous five.”

The AMVCAs debuted in 2013, with the aim of celebrating the contribution of African filmmakers, actors and technicians in the success of the continent’s film and television industry. It has since become a prestigious annual award event that the film and television industry look forward to.

According to an AMVCA representative, this year’s event is being held in September rather than March because of the ongoing Big Brother Naija show and upcoming Fifa World Cup, which would clash with its awards if they were held in March, as previously.

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Africa Magic returns to Hustle

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Hustle

Africa Magic’s Lagos-set comedy series Hustle is set to return for a third season with new characters and fresh storylines.

The show features Seun Ajayi in the lead role, supported by Afeez Oyetoro, Seyi Law, Sola Sobowale and former reality TV star Tobi Bakre, who appeared in the third season of Big Brother Naija.

It follows a Lagos hustler who will do anything to make his dreams come true, as well as those of his neighbours, in the Nigerian city.

Africa Magic channel director Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said: “We are delighted to bring season three of Hustle this October. Since it premiered in 2016, it has continued to receive positive reviews for its depiction of the vibrant and never-die spirit of the average Lagosian.

“It is our mission to keep Africa entertained with the best local content, and in this season of Hustle, fans will be in for more tales of city life as the series promises to be more hilarious.”

Launching this evening, the show will air on weeknights on Africa Magic Urban (DStv channel 153) at 18.30 WAT.

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AMVCA jury head announced

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M-Net, the MultiChoice-owned TV channel behind the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), has announced the head of the jury for the 2018 event.

Deborah Odutayo

As the AMVCAs draw closer, taking place in September, veteran filmmaker Deborah Odutayo has been confirmed in the role for this year’s awards.

Commenting on the news, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, director of M-Net West Africa, said: “Debbie Odutayo is a respected and seasoned television professional who brings extensive experience and renown to the AMVCA judging process.

“Her appointment as head judge is in tandem with the AMVCAs being the biggest celebration of film and television talent in Africa. We are thrilled to have her with us as head judge, and we ask that our viewers stay tuned as preparations for the show enter the final stages.”

With more than 30 years of experience in TV, Odutayo was most recently president of the Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria, the umbrella body for corporate TV content producers in the country. She also co-founded the Royal Roots Communication Network.

Hosted annually, the AMVCAs celebrate the contribution of African filmmakers, actors and technicians in film and television. For the last five years, they have been hosted in March. However, the sixth edition will be held on September 1 this year.

Entries for this year’s AMVCAs began on March 1 and ended April 30. The 2018 AMVCAs will broadcast live on all Africa Magic channels on MultiChoice’s pay TV platforms DSTV and GOtv.

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Women in TV: Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu

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“I’m responsible for my own success and I have never limited my capabilities because I am a woman. I don’t see the gender factor because your performance and consistency will take you far in life.” Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu

March is recognised worldwide as women’s month. In view of this, Content Nigeria is celebrating women who have made an impact in Nigeria’s TV industry.

Today we profile Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, regional director for West Africa at M-Net, who has proven to be a constant innovator and achiever, inspiring everyone she comes across.

Mba-Uzoukwu has had a passion for broadcasting since she was a child, when she aspired to become a newscaster. After competing in a beauty pageant at 17, she went on to study political science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, forsaking her dreams of studying international relations and becoming a diplomat.

A few years after graduating in 1992, Mba-Uzoukwu started working at marketing agency Tequila Nigeria as its client service manager. She later went on to study direct marketing at the Institute of Direct Marketing in the UK, bagging a post-graduate diploma. Afterwards, she went on to work in the Nigerian offices of several multinational companies, such as British American Tobacco, Coca-Cola and Airtel.

Mba-Uzoukwu joined pay TV broadcaster M-Net Africa in 2012 as its West African regional manager, in charge of strategic planning, marketing and operations.

In 2014, she became the regional director for M-Net’s operations in West Africa, managing its various channels, including Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Family, Africa Magic Epic, Africa Magic Urban, Africa Magic World and three local-language channels: Africa Magic Hausa, Africa Magic Yoruba and Africa Magic Igbo.

She pioneered the launch of Africa Magic Igbo and the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, driven by her passion for the television and film industry in Nigeria.

According to Mba-Uzoukwu, her ideas are aided by the fact that she launched her career in strategic planning and marketing first. She once said that her husband persuaded her to go into marketing because she seemed to have a zest for it. For Wangi, content is key and the right kind helps to broaden minds.

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Big Brother Naija auditions to begin

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Auditions for the third season of Nigeria’s top reality show, Big Brother Naija, are set to take place across the country this weekend, reports Gabriella Opara.

The auditions are being held on December 9 and 10 in six locations, Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Enugu and Delta State.

The venues for the auditions are the Westown Hotel in Lagos; Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt; MultiChoice office, Maitama, Abuja; Mauve 21 event centre, Ibadan; Oakland Hotel & Park, Enugu; and Deluxe Garden Suites, Warri.

The producers of Big Brother Naija – which recently won a Nigerian Entertainment Award for best TV show of 2017 – believe the new season will be more exhilarating and entertaining than ever following the success of season two on MultiChoice-owned DStv and GOtv this year.

The increase in audition locations from three to six highlights the growing popularity and acceptance that Big Brother Naija gained with its second season, which came 11 years after the show’s first run.

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, regional director at broadcaster M-Net West Africa, said: “Around the globe, the Big Brother format remains one of the most popular genres of entertainment and this is also the case in Nigeria.

“Big Brother Nigeria was one of the most successful reality shows not just in Nigeria but around the continent, with a record number of votes [from viewers to evict housemates] and many of the housemates going on to pursue careers in entertainment. We are delighted to have the show return for a third edition and cannot wait for our audiences to once again tune in to experience all of the exciting entertainment  the show is sure to provide.”

Sponsored by Nigerian online shopping platform Payporte, Big Brother season three will see 12 contestants go through the emotional roller-coaster of sharing a house together, rewarding the last one standing with a cash prize and a car. The third season will premiere in 2018 after the selection process is complete.

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