I reckon that your weekends may be boring on television and decided with my boss Sola Omole’s support and with the help of an incredible team led by Efe Soriyan, assistant director, Programmes, to deliver something special to your screens at the weekend.
Starting last week, the network that I work for, the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), began a really exciting breakfast show that no one should miss. Described as Africa’s best and biggest deal, it promises to keep you glued to your screens 6:30am-9:00am weekend after weekend. It is called Weekend Deal.
When the late broadcaster extraordinaire Yinka Craig started AM Express with young and impressionable presenters Mariam Anazodo, Kate Obiang and co, he did not envisage that he had started a Nigerian breakfast television revolution. Running for an amazing twelve years, AM Express brought joy, laughter and knowledge to our homes. Because of AM Express all television stations in Nigeria now have a breakfast show. AM Express is the forerunner, the learning place, the grandfather of all others, showing the way, taking the risks and travelling round the nation to keep you excited every day. Everyone stepped on its back to become what they are today including the now rave of the moment on NTA, sister talk show to Weekend Deal, the amazing Good Morning Nigeria.
AM Express was successfully and elegantly pulled out with full honours with style, reminiscences and some razzmatazz two weeks ago. It will be archived, it will be re-jigged and re-assembled for your viewing pleasure under another platform in the not too distant future. AM Express fans still abound, but as television broadcasting goes, a new and fresh breakfast show is now seeking your attention on the same a.m. belt with a name that will start your day beautifully, Weekend Deal. So what is in store for you?
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First, let’s meet our anchors. Bringing a breath of fresh air to the show, Nana Aisha Mamudu is a young NTA broadcaster with a lot to give. Quick witted and warm, she gives you updates, shares her stories, banters and provides links fresh as the morning dew.
Suleiman Babajiya Usman brings pizzaz, energy, knowledge and humour to the belt exuding excitement at every turn.
The third anchor, Ronke Aliyu, is in a special studio tagged The 15 Minutes Studio, where there is an interview with everyday people to inspire us. Our first guest in The 15 Minutes Studio was Commonwealth Literature prize winner 2010, Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani, author of the phenomenal wave-making I Do Not Come to You by Chance. It has been a heady experience bringing the show to you.
So what are some of the segments you should key into? Rising Star for talented musicians with no contract or a record label, Quick Cuisine to get you prepared for a fast-paced world, The Unusual for persons and places unusual, and Speaker Box, the music countdown as you have always known it, but fresher and with more bite. Trending Issues brings you interviews and chats on contemporary issues, drama to blow you away in the Weekend Deal family drama series and much more.
So I don’t let the cat out of the bag, I will hold my fire. But I can’t help myself, can I? I am pretty much involved so I will tell you a little bit more. Here it is! There would be gifts going forward. But I can’t tell you anymore.
Breakfast shows are meant to keep you relaxed, keep you informed and give you something to kick-start your day. Did I mention that there would be music too? Okay, let’s not keep you on the edge of your seat. The only way to get a look and feel of the programme is to get out of bed on Saturday, prop your pillows behind you while having a freshly brewed cup of tea or coffee. Let your family tiptoe into your room and sit on empty chairs in your room. Let them take a bite of your boiled yam and stew or your dodo and eggs or maybe your bread. It is also a truly engaging family show.
Wide-eyed, let them step into the world of Weekend Deal.
Mmmm…Let everyone enjoy. Weekend Deal is on Africa’s largest television network, the Nigerian Television Authority, 6:30am-9:00am on Saturdays and Sundays. I promise you, it’s Africa’s best deal. Because we are working hard at making it the best television breakfast deal, do tell all your friends and keep the feedback coming. Don’t let anyone tell you about it. See it yourself. Don’t miss it!
Eugenia Abu
