By Scotniel Morrh Jowy
Three Nigerians have participated and won one
of the biggest TV reality shows in Africa known as Big Brother Africa,
the African version of the Big Brother reality game show. Each country
provides a contestant living in an isolated house while trying to avoid
being evicted by viewers and ultimately winning a large cash prize at
the end of the show. ANTHONY ADA ABRAHAM write on life after the Big
Brother House for three Nigerians who emerged as winners
Kevin Chuwang Pam:
Kevin Pam has a BA in English Language and has 7 siblings. He's proud
to be Nigerian because Nigerians stand out and survive any situation -
"which is why you will find a Nigerian almost anywhere." Kevin is also a
Manchester United fan whose hobbies include rapping. He once said if he
wins Big Brother Revolution, he will spend his money on creating an
entertainment empire and will share some of it with friends and family
who have stood by him. He got married to one of his housemates and is
blessed with a daughter.
When our reporter sought to find out from the winner he said things
has not been so rosy because he now has more responsibilities.
"Life has been great since BBA, just a few challenges which revolves
around balancing the new lifestyle with principles that have always
governed my life. I'm a family man now so it means more responsibilities
and demands. As most people know we were blessed with a baby girl
(Malaika)so the necessary adjustments are important to us so as to give
her (and the ones to come)the best while pursuing our careers.
But so far we have been working on our NGO (Naija Pikin) where we
have been trying to see that the basic needs of the Nigerian/African
child is met. We have done stuff like celebrating Malaika's first year
birthday with the refugees in Riyom handing out relief materials to
affected communities in the Jos crisis, celebrating Valentine's Day with
orphans etc. Besides all these, Elizabeth has made her debut in
Nollywood as an actress and her first movie should premier soon.
I on the other hand still do my anchoring of events and run my
Entertainment outfit called "Down To Earth" and it is under that
platform that I'm starting a talent reality show in Jos called "Jos
Bring It On" in July where I hope to scout for fresh and upcoming
talents from the tin city. Lastly, my book is set to be released later
in the year. In a nutshell life is good because God has been faithful.'
He emphasized.
We wish Kevin and family more blessings ahead.
Uti Nwachukwu:
The Nigerian actor, TV presenter, model and MC from Lagos and
LEADERSHIP Young Person of the Year 2011 best known as one of the 12
housemates on the third season of Big Brother Africa, in 2008.
He returned to Big Brother Africa in 2010 as one of the 14 "All Stars" of Season 5, entitled Big Brother All Stars.
Uti, who appeared in a multi-national billboard advert in 2007, holds
a two-year diploma in Computer Science and Education from the
University of Nigeria.
The one-time bank employee appeared on the Nigerian reality series
Next Movie Star, which he finished as the runner-up, before being
selected for Big Brother Africa 3.
Listing his mom and dad as his heroes, Uti says the best advice he's
received from a friend was, "happiness is a state of mind and it usually
begins with a choice."
Uti is now a presenter on Jara, a TV programme and is loved by fans,
even when there was rumour about him having an affair with Nollywood
actress Beverly Naya.
A fan of Chelsea Football Club, he dislikes people going through his stuff, liars, manual labour and arrogant people.
His favourite quote: "Those who dare to fail miserably are the ones
who often succeed greatly" echoes his belief in life and he says people
describe him as a "cocktail of personalities."
There was a report that there have been calls from several Nigerians
to make Uti Nwachukwu, the BBA All Stars winner, one of the Nigerian
Tourism Development Corporation (NDTC) ambassadors, but the
director-general of the corporation, Mr Segun Runsewe "will have none of
that. His reason. "This guy plaits his hair and wears ear rings, which I
consider unAfrican."
Uti hates it when "people try to list your faults even though they have their own".
He was born on August 3, 1982; was the last born to a family of six
and was raised in Ughelli and Sapele in Delta State, Nigeria.
He went to Igbinedion Education Centre from 93-99 where he was a very
popular and focused student as he was made social prefect in both
junior and senior secondary school. He began his further education at
the University of Nigeria where he received a diploma in Computer
Science and Education before heading to Benson Idahosa University Benin
City, to get a Bachelors in Computer Science and Education while
shuffling in and out of Lagos to join his siblings and pursue a career
in the entertainment industry.
Whilst Uti was still at university, the much coveted entertainment
jobs he was seeking started to trickle in and before he knew it, he was a
regular in music videos, modelling in Billboard adverts and getting his
first acting break, as a contestant in "The Next Movie Star"reality TV
Contest in which he was the first runner up and which led to him getting
parts in a few small screen Productions.
It was also during his time at university that Uti landed a much
coveted place in the Big Brother 3 house, the opportunity that has
brought him to where he is today. Despite Big Brother and the regular
work he was getting, Uti still managed to graduate at the Top of his
Class in 2009 with a 3.9 GPA, much to the amazement of his peers.
Uti rocketed to International fame in 2008 after he was selected as
the Nigerian housemate in Big Brother Africa 3. Despite not winning this
put Uti on the international map which opened doors of opportunities
for him all over Africa.
After Big Brother 3, Uti starred in two blockbuster movies "Fear Not"
and "Bursting out". Uti also launched his anchoring profession by
hosting events in Nigeria and Uganda as well as a popular television
show called "U& I". 2010 was the breakout year for Uti.
When he landed the role of controversial character 'Marcus' on MNET's Tinsel Season 3.
He also surprised audiences in the summer of 2010 as he released his first single 'go down.
Uti further surprised audiences by participating in the 2010 Big
Brother Africa series 5 dubbed the "BIG BROTHER AFRICA ALL STARS"
edition. Former housemates that didn't win the previous editions were
asked to come back for a final shot at double the original prize money.
The biggest, the baddest and the boldest former housemates across Africa
stormed the show.
The odds seemed to be against Uti during the show taking into
consideration that a Nigerian had won the previous Edition and most
especially when he lost his father during the broadcast of the show. Uti
stuck to his guns, held his own and beat the odds, Finally after 3
months in the Big Brother house, Uti emerged as the ultimate winner-the
REAL winner of Big Brother Africa all Stars!
Shortly after his return to Nigeria Uti has been a whirlwind of
success and inspiration to the Youth as he has been involved in various
Top quality features.
He surprised Nigerians again with his online radio and video release
of his second single - "Once in My Life. A deep and mellow rock song.
The video was shot in May 2011 and was released in summer of 2011 to
much admiration of music fans around the continent. The song later won
an NMVA(Nigerian music video award) for best soft rock/ alternative
video in November 2011.
He hosted the 2010 Sound City Music Video Awards, and other reputable
shows like Exqusite Awards, Neddlekraft Fashion Show,City Peoples
Fashion Awards,Children of Haggai charity show and much more
He was on the runway of the huge international Arise fashion week
2011 and 2012, in where the audience went frantic with every appearance.
Uti is now the face and TV presenter of MNET's Africa Magic's new
popular magazine show called "Jara" the most watched entertainment news
show in Africa.
He has also starred in various big budget movie productions such as
the Desmond Elliot directed feature, in the cupboard from the popular
stables of Emem Isong's Royal Arts Academy, to Broken Silence and
Weekend Getaway all directed by Desmond Elliot.
There is also True Citizen and the upcoming 2013 flick fracture
(starring Uti and Monalisa Chinda) plus a new unreleased fun directed by
Lancelot Imasuen titled deep inside and red hot directed by the
critically acclaimed action movie Director Teco Benson .
All these movies and many more to come in 2013 are said to set Uti as a bona fade new talent in Nollywood.
Karen Igho
Big Brother Amplified winner, Karen Igho, is one lady who is
absolutely hard to ignore, though highly controversial but strong and
determined in the face of it all.
In 2011, she carted away the top prize of $200,000 as winner of the
coveted Reality TV show alongside her co-winner Wendall. She was the
first woman from Nigeria to win the Big Brother Africa show and the
third Nigerian to win it in a row since 2009.
Though from the outset she was not given a chance as a contestant
because people did not warm to her, but her Nigeria fans made sure she
won the game joining her fellow Nigerians Kevin Pam and Uti Nwachukwu.
Before she went into the Big Brother house, she was a model.
Born in Nigeria, Karen attended Federal Government College, Jos
before going to London to study Business Administration at Southwark
College.
Life after the BBA has been wonderful for Karen as she recently
landed a gig as an On-Air Personality at Naija FM where she hosts a show
called Wetin Dey with Ifektive, proving that she can do well not just
on TV, but also on Radio. She is also a lady with interesting blend of
Pidgin and English.
In a recent interview she said life hasn't been easy since the big
brother star game "I've been really busy and sometimes it gets to me.
But I thank God for giving me this opportunity. I had no idea what Uti
went through. Poor Uti. Uti and Kevin, you tried.
But one thing I've realised, when I see my fans come up to me, I know
that I'm loved; that somewhere, somebody loves me. Even though I don't
know the person, it feels good. Even though I'm upset, I would start
gisting with the person and it makes me feel better.
"I've been going around Nigeria, presenting and hosting shows in
Abuja, Calabar, Port-Harcourt, Warri, Benin, Asaba. I'm going to South
Africa soon.
"I'm now working with Naija FM 102.7 on a show called Wetin Dey which
I co-host with Ifektive. I'm just me, the normal me, always. I get
worried sometimes, you know how it is when you've never done something
before."
She is a great personality.
Althouth - a contestant on Big Brother in 2012 who passed away
recently the late Goldie would have been a great addition to the game
winners, the fans knew best. On behalf of the participants of the Big
Brother African show, we say may her soul rest in peace.
