From being an Economics graduate to radio ‘Wild Child’, to
presenter of M-Net’s Studio 53, and now host of ‘Big Brother Africa’, he has
demonstrated that he is destined for the top. Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa, simply
called ‘IK’ by his numerous fans, has obviously joined the ranks of stars that
grace our television screens. His cool, calm and collected disposition, which
has become a trademark, singles him out from among those in his line of duty.
In this interview, IK talks about his early years, how he discovered himself
and the path to fame, among other matters.
presenter of M-Net’s Studio 53, and now host of ‘Big Brother Africa’, he has
demonstrated that he is destined for the top. Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa, simply
called ‘IK’ by his numerous fans, has obviously joined the ranks of stars that
grace our television screens. His cool, calm and collected disposition, which
has become a trademark, singles him out from among those in his line of duty.
In this interview, IK talks about his early years, how he discovered himself
and the path to fame, among other matters.
IK was born in Lagos but while growing up, he had to travel
round and stayed in different parts of the country because of the career path
of his father, who was a Brigadier-General in the Nigerian Army. “I’m a
complete Nigerian,” he says of his experience. “I’ve lived in every part of the
country- Lagos, Kaduna, Auchi and Enugu, among other places. We were based in
Kaduna for a long time and I started secondary school there. After a while, we
stopped travelling with my father and just visited him once or twice a year,
usually on holidays.”
round and stayed in different parts of the country because of the career path
of his father, who was a Brigadier-General in the Nigerian Army. “I’m a
complete Nigerian,” he says of his experience. “I’ve lived in every part of the
country- Lagos, Kaduna, Auchi and Enugu, among other places. We were based in
Kaduna for a long time and I started secondary school there. After a while, we
stopped travelling with my father and just visited him once or twice a year,
usually on holidays.”
After finishing his secondary education at King’s College,
Lagos, he went to the University of Lagos and graduated with a degree in Economics.
According to him, “I really had no idea what I wanted to do until my final
year. I knew from the start that I didn’t want a job with regular hours. I
wanted something flexible because I wanted to be a hands-on parent…I always
wanted to be just like my dad and join the army, but when I considered the cost
of losing a relationship with my kids, I felt the costs were too high. I want
to go to my kids’ inter-house sports competitions and know their friends.”
Lagos, he went to the University of Lagos and graduated with a degree in Economics.
According to him, “I really had no idea what I wanted to do until my final
year. I knew from the start that I didn’t want a job with regular hours. I
wanted something flexible because I wanted to be a hands-on parent…I always
wanted to be just like my dad and join the army, but when I considered the cost
of losing a relationship with my kids, I felt the costs were too high. I want
to go to my kids’ inter-house sports competitions and know their friends.”
It was while in the university that IK discovered his love
for talking and entertaining. He says: “There was this fellowship I was a part
of in Unilag- the Rock Foundation- and I used to do a lot of publicity for
them. That was where I discovered my passion. I made a demo in my final year,
which was shopped around for a while and eventually came to the notice of
(Silverbird president), Roy Murray-Bruce.”
for talking and entertaining. He says: “There was this fellowship I was a part
of in Unilag- the Rock Foundation- and I used to do a lot of publicity for
them. That was where I discovered my passion. I made a demo in my final year,
which was shopped around for a while and eventually came to the notice of
(Silverbird president), Roy Murray-Bruce.”
The entertainment executive liked what he heard, and took IK
on as a presenter for the company’s private radio station, Rhythm 93.7 FM. “I
started off working the Saturday graveyard shift, presenting a show called Rap
Culture. It was a disaster. I don’t think any of my bosses listened or they
would have fired me. The DJ left me alone in the studio and I didn’t know how
to work anything. There was a lot of dead air with nothing playing,” he admits.
on as a presenter for the company’s private radio station, Rhythm 93.7 FM. “I
started off working the Saturday graveyard shift, presenting a show called Rap
Culture. It was a disaster. I don’t think any of my bosses listened or they
would have fired me. The DJ left me alone in the studio and I didn’t know how
to work anything. There was a lot of dead air with nothing playing,” he admits.
IK however, soon found his feet and worked at the station
until early 2004, when he took time out for his service year. After completing
his youth service, he was offered his job back. This time, he was hosting
primetime shows in the mornings and evenings. “I did that for a while before I
was promoted to head of programmes,” he says. The appointment came close on the
heels of his move to TV. “The Studio 53 thing came up not long after. I never
saw the ad myself, but about eight people called me up to let me know about
it.”
until early 2004, when he took time out for his service year. After completing
his youth service, he was offered his job back. This time, he was hosting
primetime shows in the mornings and evenings. “I did that for a while before I
was promoted to head of programmes,” he says. The appointment came close on the
heels of his move to TV. “The Studio 53 thing came up not long after. I never
saw the ad myself, but about eight people called me up to let me know about
it.”
Feeling the job would be a good career venture, with the
show airing in most parts of the continent, IK auditioned and, three days after
making it to the second round of the selection process, he was given the job.
He went on to pair up with Kemi Adetiba in a Nigerian-duo-presentation; which
saw them go to South Africa to be trained before appearing on the show.
Reacting to how he feels with the transition from radio to TV, he explains:
“You can do so much with radio- be a personality and still have the privacy of
your own life. TV doesn’t do that for you, but I think after radio, TV is the
next step.”
show airing in most parts of the continent, IK auditioned and, three days after
making it to the second round of the selection process, he was given the job.
He went on to pair up with Kemi Adetiba in a Nigerian-duo-presentation; which
saw them go to South Africa to be trained before appearing on the show.
Reacting to how he feels with the transition from radio to TV, he explains:
“You can do so much with radio- be a personality and still have the privacy of
your own life. TV doesn’t do that for you, but I think after radio, TV is the
next step.”
The 33-year old has obviously been taking the right steps so
far. IK started his career in entertainment in 2001 with a job on Rhythm 93.7
FM. After a brief sojourn in the world of advertising (one year plus), he
decided to return to his first love: radio presentation in 2003, and has
continued to wow fans on radio since then. His comfort and skill on the
microphone soon found him being pushed to try his hands on TV presentation. He
attended the MNet audition for the magazine programme called Studio 53 and out
of over 250 possible options, IK was selected to be the Nigerian presenter for
the show. He was also selected as host for the hit quiz show, Temptation
Nigeria in 2006.
far. IK started his career in entertainment in 2001 with a job on Rhythm 93.7
FM. After a brief sojourn in the world of advertising (one year plus), he
decided to return to his first love: radio presentation in 2003, and has
continued to wow fans on radio since then. His comfort and skill on the
microphone soon found him being pushed to try his hands on TV presentation. He
attended the MNet audition for the magazine programme called Studio 53 and out
of over 250 possible options, IK was selected to be the Nigerian presenter for
the show. He was also selected as host for the hit quiz show, Temptation
Nigeria in 2006.
By the year 2009, he was presenting yet another MNet show
called: “Comedy Club: Live in Lagos”. That wasn’t all he got up to in 2009.
MNet conducted auditions all over Africa in search of the perfect host for the
most popular reality show in all of Africa, “Big Brother Africa”. After massive
auditions all over Africa, IK emerged as the best host for the show. People
can’t help but agree that he has made the show his own.
called: “Comedy Club: Live in Lagos”. That wasn’t all he got up to in 2009.
MNet conducted auditions all over Africa in search of the perfect host for the
most popular reality show in all of Africa, “Big Brother Africa”. After massive
auditions all over Africa, IK emerged as the best host for the show. People
can’t help but agree that he has made the show his own.
Due to popular demand, Comedy Club returned in 2010 with IK
as its host. As a result of his unbeatable delivery, he remained the host of
Comedy Club even in 2012. Big Brother Africa also returned in 2010 and 2011,
with both events hosted by IK. He is currently hosting his sixth edition of the
show this year. A record no one has topped. Suffice it to say, the young
Nigerian has achieved a continental acclaim as one of Africa’s finest
presenters.
as its host. As a result of his unbeatable delivery, he remained the host of
Comedy Club even in 2012. Big Brother Africa also returned in 2010 and 2011,
with both events hosted by IK. He is currently hosting his sixth edition of the
show this year. A record no one has topped. Suffice it to say, the young
Nigerian has achieved a continental acclaim as one of Africa’s finest
presenters.
IK has also honed his skill as a compere of events and is in
very high demand today. He has hosted numerous shows, concerts, weddings,
corporate end-of-year parties, contests and pageants, including the Most
Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), pageant for four years consecutively, Rhythm
Unplugged (four years consecutively), Comedy Titans, An Evening With…, just to
name a few.
very high demand today. He has hosted numerous shows, concerts, weddings,
corporate end-of-year parties, contests and pageants, including the Most
Beautiful Girl in Nigeria (MBGN), pageant for four years consecutively, Rhythm
Unplugged (four years consecutively), Comedy Titans, An Evening With…, just to
name a few.
The Edo State-born MC has also been selected as the MC at
three presidential events for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Watching him
do his thing for only a brief moment, it becomes understandable why he is in a
class of his own in the world of entertainers. Meanwhile, Big Brother Africa,
arguably the most popular (and controversial) reality show on the continent,
came back on Sunday, May 26 for its 8th season titled: The Chase.
three presidential events for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Watching him
do his thing for only a brief moment, it becomes understandable why he is in a
class of his own in the world of entertainers. Meanwhile, Big Brother Africa,
arguably the most popular (and controversial) reality show on the continent,
came back on Sunday, May 26 for its 8th season titled: The Chase.
This season, 28 contestants from 14 countries are vying for
a $300,000 (N47 million) cash prize. The programme is shown 24 hours a day for
91 days on DSTV channels 197 and 198. “Big Brother Africa is a pretty unique
show. Every season has its special moments and features. I’m super excited to
be invited back to host the show. I have thoroughly enjoyed the past seasons
and I look forward to bringing a fresh and energetic approach to The Chase,”
said six-time host of the show, IK.
a $300,000 (N47 million) cash prize. The programme is shown 24 hours a day for
91 days on DSTV channels 197 and 198. “Big Brother Africa is a pretty unique
show. Every season has its special moments and features. I’m super excited to
be invited back to host the show. I have thoroughly enjoyed the past seasons
and I look forward to bringing a fresh and energetic approach to The Chase,”
said six-time host of the show, IK.
The show was first launched for a continental audience in
2003 with 12 contestants and with Mark Pilgrim as host. After a three-year
hiatus, it was re-launched in 2007 with a new host, Kabelo Ngakane. Nigeria’s
IK took over hosting duties in 2009 with Big Brother Africa 4: The Revolution,
the first of its super-sized editions- 25 contestants featured that year.
2003 with 12 contestants and with Mark Pilgrim as host. After a three-year
hiatus, it was re-launched in 2007 with a new host, Kabelo Ngakane. Nigeria’s
IK took over hosting duties in 2009 with Big Brother Africa 4: The Revolution,
the first of its super-sized editions- 25 contestants featured that year.
Many of his fans who have followed him since his early days
at Rhythm 93.7 FM as “Wild Child” still wonder why he had to drop that title
and assume a more subtle initial, IK. What prompted his decision, many still
wonder? “I wanted to do something international. I knew I was about going
continental, international and I needed a unique identity. I wanted something
simple something sharp. Something that would be attractive and acceptable was
what I sought. Wild Child wasn’t exclusive and so I had to drop it for
something exclusive; which is actually the initials of my first name,” he
explained.
at Rhythm 93.7 FM as “Wild Child” still wonder why he had to drop that title
and assume a more subtle initial, IK. What prompted his decision, many still
wonder? “I wanted to do something international. I knew I was about going
continental, international and I needed a unique identity. I wanted something
simple something sharp. Something that would be attractive and acceptable was
what I sought. Wild Child wasn’t exclusive and so I had to drop it for
something exclusive; which is actually the initials of my first name,” he
explained.
Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa (born May 21, 1979) is a Nigerian
Radio and television on air personality. He was known to most just as Wild
Child but since his marriage, has been known as simply IK. He is known for his
work with Rhythm 93.7 FM, but he is also a presenter on MNet’s Studio 53, and
is best known as the presenter of Big Brother Africa (BBA). He was born in Lagos,
Nigeria to homemaker Felicia Oviawe and Brigadier-General Samuel Oviawe. He is
the middle child of five children. IK started out on stage at a young age,
acting in stage plays and being in the choir as early as age seven.
Radio and television on air personality. He was known to most just as Wild
Child but since his marriage, has been known as simply IK. He is known for his
work with Rhythm 93.7 FM, but he is also a presenter on MNet’s Studio 53, and
is best known as the presenter of Big Brother Africa (BBA). He was born in Lagos,
Nigeria to homemaker Felicia Oviawe and Brigadier-General Samuel Oviawe. He is
the middle child of five children. IK started out on stage at a young age,
acting in stage plays and being in the choir as early as age seven.
At age 15, along with some of his siblings and cousins, he
recorded a tape in which he pretended to be a radio show host taking calls from
listeners. He got his start in the television industry while in UNILAG on a
show called Campus circuit television which aired on Africa Independent Television
(AIT). After that, he took a break from the industry to concentrate on his
education and graduated with a degree in Economics.
recorded a tape in which he pretended to be a radio show host taking calls from
listeners. He got his start in the television industry while in UNILAG on a
show called Campus circuit television which aired on Africa Independent Television
(AIT). After that, he took a break from the industry to concentrate on his
education and graduated with a degree in Economics.
While studying, he took part in many stage plays and
concerts, where he discovered and groomed his talent as a Master of Ceremonies
MC/Host. After graduating from the university in 2001, Osakioduwa worked for
Rhythm 93.7 FM, as a presenter popularly known as the “Wild Child” (thanks to
his humorous and unpredictable personality). However, in compliance with the
National Youth Service Corps scheme, which is a one-year mandatory service of
all graduate Nigerians, he had to leave the radio station to serve in a
neighbouring state. He also worked in an advertising firm as a Client Service
Executive, and in 2005 he returned to the radio station.
concerts, where he discovered and groomed his talent as a Master of Ceremonies
MC/Host. After graduating from the university in 2001, Osakioduwa worked for
Rhythm 93.7 FM, as a presenter popularly known as the “Wild Child” (thanks to
his humorous and unpredictable personality). However, in compliance with the
National Youth Service Corps scheme, which is a one-year mandatory service of
all graduate Nigerians, he had to leave the radio station to serve in a
neighbouring state. He also worked in an advertising firm as a Client Service
Executive, and in 2005 he returned to the radio station.
Temptation Nigeria was another interesting show which
featured participants from across Nigeria whose knowledge of their country was
the major strength for participation. The show was hosted jointly by IK and
Kemi Adetiba. Studio 53 was yet another port of call for the enterprising young
man as a field presenter on the M-Net magazine show that showcased cultural
events, historical places, music, art, design, fashion and celebrity
personalities from across the African continent.
featured participants from across Nigeria whose knowledge of their country was
the major strength for participation. The show was hosted jointly by IK and
Kemi Adetiba. Studio 53 was yet another port of call for the enterprising young
man as a field presenter on the M-Net magazine show that showcased cultural
events, historical places, music, art, design, fashion and celebrity
personalities from across the African continent.
He started hosting the reality series, Big Brother Africa,
in September 2009, taking over from Kabelo Ngakane. Big Brother Africa has
since gone on to achieve phenomenal success, putting Osakioduwa in the
continental spotlight. The following year, when he became the sole host, his
on-screen enthusiasm and wit made him a milestone sensation, and the show was
seen by millions of viewers in the continent. IK inked a deal with MNET Africa
to continue to host Big Brother Africa, making him the most sort after reality
television host in Nigeria/Africa to date. He says, “BBA was the first show I’d
done of this magnitude, it was amazing to be in 40million homes across Africa
all at once. At first, it was super intimidating, but you get used to it before
the end of the season.”
in September 2009, taking over from Kabelo Ngakane. Big Brother Africa has
since gone on to achieve phenomenal success, putting Osakioduwa in the
continental spotlight. The following year, when he became the sole host, his
on-screen enthusiasm and wit made him a milestone sensation, and the show was
seen by millions of viewers in the continent. IK inked a deal with MNET Africa
to continue to host Big Brother Africa, making him the most sort after reality
television host in Nigeria/Africa to date. He says, “BBA was the first show I’d
done of this magnitude, it was amazing to be in 40million homes across Africa
all at once. At first, it was super intimidating, but you get used to it before
the end of the season.”
IK has been the host for almost all the shows for Rhythm
93.7 FM at one time or another. He also does the “Morning Drive” with co-host
Anita ‘Omaliicha’ and “Dance Party with IK”. In December 2012, he became part
of the program, similar to the ones in Times Square (New York) Beijing, Dubai,
Shanghai. He hosted the Lagos countdown show with co-hosts Ariyike Akinbobola,
Quest; which is the first of its kind in Nigeria.
93.7 FM at one time or another. He also does the “Morning Drive” with co-host
Anita ‘Omaliicha’ and “Dance Party with IK”. In December 2012, he became part
of the program, similar to the ones in Times Square (New York) Beijing, Dubai,
Shanghai. He hosted the Lagos countdown show with co-hosts Ariyike Akinbobola,
Quest; which is the first of its kind in Nigeria.
Ikponmwosa and Olohije Osakioduwa were married in a church
ceremony on the 3rd of October, 2008 in Lagos after four years of friendship
and a year of dating. In an interview with The Expatriate Magazine, “Olo was
the only friend who seemed to get me and did not want to change me…” The couple
has two children Osahar and Micah. In May 2012, IK lost his mother, Felicia
Oviawe, sadly, to cancer.
ceremony on the 3rd of October, 2008 in Lagos after four years of friendship
and a year of dating. In an interview with The Expatriate Magazine, “Olo was
the only friend who seemed to get me and did not want to change me…” The couple
has two children Osahar and Micah. In May 2012, IK lost his mother, Felicia
Oviawe, sadly, to cancer.
Source: Daily Newswatch
