By Samuel Abulude
The job of master compering or anchoring a show is one that is intricate and involves the person connecting with the public seamlessly. Some of our entertainers have been involved in this assignment. SAMUEL ABULUDE looks at celebrities who have taken the jobs of master comperes at one point or the other and excelled in them.
The demands of anchoring a show and keeping the audience focused and entertained is such that it can be marred if the wrong person is selected. Naturally comedians and professional master comperes are the ones that handle such assignments but in recent years, celebrities within the music, movie, radio and television industries are now stepping up to the plate and doing well depending on the occasion. the following are those that have anchored shows wonderfully.
Omawumi
The singer is an entertainer any day and knows how to captivate the audience. Omawumi Megbele, since coming 1st runner’s-up in maiden Idols West Africa has always proved she knows her onions, releasing hit songs like Bottom Belle, If You Ask Me and delivering in live performances. After collecting the Next Rated category award at the HEADIES two seasons before, she was summoned to anchor the music award night along with M.I and she did well at the HEADIES 2012. The Warri-born singer has earned accolades among her colleagues as the part of the leading female singers in the music industry. More will be expected from the Glo ambassador her in 2016 after she delivered her baby boy and weaned him.
Toke Makinwa
One of the leading One-Air-Personality OAP and vlogger, Toke Makinwa is on demand as hosts and anchors for shows. Why not, since she has done same on radio and other mediums. Her popular program which was on Hip Tv was and hers on you-tube is a success. Such is the charm of the lady that has made her one of the most-sought after mcs apart from our comedians. Toke anchored HEADIES 2014 with popular comedian, Basket Mouth and she gave her best. More challenges are expected of the OAP who has now reconciled with her hubby, Maje Ayida even from the wedding ring now adorning her finger.
Dr Sid
Dr Sid whose real name Sidney Esiri who’s the son of late icon, Justus Esiri of the rested famous soap, Village Headmaster, is a musician and has also taken to acting in recent times. The dentist turned musician is one of the singers benefiting from the golden touches of Marvin Crew honcho, Don Jazzy. Surulere helped in resuscitating his career after Mo’Hits crumbled. Dr Sid also anchored the Headies 2013 along with her colleague, 1st lady of Marvin Crew, Tiwa Savage and from the audience that witnessed the show live, the honk did pretty well. More is definitely expected from the son of a veteran aside his music career.
Dakore Akande
Talented actress, Dakore Egbuson-Akande is a diva any day. Aside her beauty, her brains and role-interpretation skills has maintained a steady rise in a competitive acting industry like Nolllywood. She recently gave a good account of herself in the stellar-cast movie title FIFTY- playing the role of a woman in her fifties -obviously above her age. Aside her acting skill, Dakore has anchored a few shows. She was also recruited to anchor one of the earlier HEADIES award night with R&B singer, Banky W.
Funke Akindele
The actress and movie producer has played different roles in movies, both comedy and other genres. The famous actress has branded her role in Jenifa. This has also opened other vistas for her. Funke Akindele has been recruited by corporate bodies to anchor their program as well as amuse them. Her talent brims and has afforded her the honour of playing roles in Yoruba movies and also English-speaking movies from the Igbo sect.
Gideon Okeke
The actor has benefited from the Tinsel soap shown on Africa Magic, at least that is what announced him to the industry. Gideon is one of the young male actors rocking Nollywood. So it wasn’t out of place when he was called upon to co-anchor the 2015 edition of the Best of Nollywood BON awards in Akure. Gideon has also being seen anchoring events organized by Multichoice Nigeria. His role in ‘A Place In The Stars’ movies has given him accolades.
Kaffy Ameh
Frontline professional dancer and fitness instructor, Kaffy bubbles and has become one of the dancers to add flavour to a music video if one can afford her services. The dancer who is married to the drummer/instrumentalist in P Square band, Joseph Ameh came to limelight after winning the Guinness Book of Records in the Dance contest tagged Danceahon. Her group led others to dance for long hours. Her company, Imagneto prides as a dance academy. It was not out of place when Kaffy was called upon to anchor the HEADIES 2015 with comedian Bovi Ugboma.
Saheed Balogun
Saheed Balogun apart from his mercurial acting skills, has sang Fuji and released a video years ago. The actor and movie producer did a movie where only him and Doris Simeon were the casts-talk of a two-man cast movie titled Modupe Temi. Such is Saheeed Balogun’s dexterity that he keeps challenging himself to do something new. He once played a white man in his movie who spoke Yoruba fluently. Saheed has anchored many shows and of note is Lizzy Anjonrin’s movie premier in 2014. He co-anchored with comedian Koffi while King Sunny Ade was at the stage serenading the guests.
Bimbo Akintola
The delectable actress is known to have acted in several movies including stage plays. Bimbo busted into the movie scene playing a role in Out of Bounds where she seduced a pastor played by Richard Mofe Damijo. Since then, the graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan has become of the actress to watch out for in the movie industry giving about two decades of experience. Bimbo is also in demand when it comes to looking for thespians who’ll deliver in stage plays. She was resplendent when she anchored BON 2015 awards with Gideon last month.
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