Growing up
My father was in the army so we travelled a lot and changed schools often. One of the effects that had on us was that we grew used to being the new kids in school and making new friends. Also, meeting people from different walks of life teaches you to be very accommodating with cultural and social differences. Bottom-line, you learn to be flexible. In the entertainment industry, that’s a quality that can take you places.
Radio, TV, which is your most preferred and why?
Well, I love them both and love them differently. I love the fact that radio is very easy to jump into. I don’t need to dress up at all for it. I’ve actually gone to work in pyjamas on several occasions. You can’t really do that on TV. But having said that, I love the idea of standing on one platform and being live in people’s homes all across Africa. It’s an electrifying feeling. I honestly love both of them.
What did anchoring Big brother Africa do to your career?
Oh wow! Big brother is still about the Biggest TV show on the continent. It is watched in almost every country on the continent and people absolutely love the show. To stand on that platform and tap into the show’s fan base for 6years straight definitely helped me grow my brand beyond Nigeria into other African countries. Apart from that, the show is the best teacher you will ever have with dealing with live shows. It has a live studio audience, live viewers at home and you have to take real time instructions while you present the show. Not to mention the fact that you often have autocue to deal with, while all of this is going on. I learnt so much about production, presenting and handling pressure working on that show.
Highlites With Ik
We started Highlites With Ik in October of 2014. It was a natural progression really to have my own show. I had worked on so many shows with Africa Magic that the channel thought the time had come to develop something around my personality. We deliberated on it for a while and I was tasked by the channel to develop a format for the show. And thus “Highlites With Ik” was born. In the years to come, I plan to develop even more TV Shows that other people can host. Creating content is a passion of mine and I’m never going to stop doing it.
Did you think you would be where you are today 10 years ago?
Lol! Actually, I wasn’t sure when I would achieve all of this, but I have definitely pictured this for quite a while though I wasn’t ever able to put a time-line to it. There are elements of my life that are a complete shock to me but others are exactly what I had hoped for.
How lucrative has the ‘hustle’ been?
Interesting question which totally depends on your appetite. In my case, I appreciate all that God has done for me. I know not every person my age enjoys all these things so I definitely feel privileged to have what I have. I am going to say the hustle has been VERY lucrative.
Living a life of reward, focus and determination
The bible says “In all labour there is profit”. I really believe this and I have seen that in my life, whenever I commit my time and effort to focus on something and work hard on it, I enjoy the favour and reward of God. Good things don’t just happen to people. It also takes some work on their part.
Personal and professional challenges
Well I have several, but I’m not going to share any of them because I never celebrate or promote a problem. I play to my strength’s and that’s the only area of my life that I bother to draw attention to.
Behind the scenes of Highlites with IK, Presenting/anchoring a program, what really is going on inside of you?
One of the major things you try to do when you host a TV program, radio show or an event is to entertain the crowd. That takes humour and humour comes from a place of comfort. Learning to be comfortable can be very challenging. One of the best ways to be comfortable is to get familiar with whatever it is you’re hosting. (You are most comfortable around things and people you are familiar with). Getting familiar takes endless rehearsals. (I’m a big rehearsal fan). Humour comes from comfort, comfort comes from familiarity and familiarity comes from rehearsals. When you see me looking all comfortable on stage, it’s usually because I have run the show through my mind several times over.
Most embarrassing moment
I don’t recall one moment that I regard as my singular most embarrassing moment. I do however have several moments that have been very embarrassing. The key to recovering from embarrassing stuff is to accept that you are human and allow yourself a margin of error. That way you don’t focus on it too much when it happens. Also, remind yourself that 90% of the people watching couldn’t do a better job of it than you (even considering your flaws).
Screen relevance till date
Well not to sound too spiritual and all, I believe God’s favour is what makes the difference between two talented people. He decides who he wants to use in what area and at what time. I am enjoying the favour of God. Yes I make it my goal to be the most knowledgeable person about whatever event or show I’m hosting. Yes I work hard. Yes I rehearse. Yes I watch and learn from others but at the end of the day, the truth is there are several people that work hard, but they don’t all receive the same results. So that leads me to believe that it is God that makes the difference between the labours of men.
Aside presenting/emceeing, what other areas are you looking at?
I have my eye on some acting and also on advertising and I have already started making moves in both areas.
How do you create time for family?
We are a party family. We all love to travel, watch movies together and play tricks on each other. My wife and son are great at that.
That WOW! event in-view
Well, that used to be Big Brother, Then it was Highlites With Ik and next it was The Voice Nigeria and next it will be… NAH!!! I’m not telling you. At least not until I have achieved it. I will tell you though, that, I plan to create and produce a few other shows that other presenters can host and become celebrated for.
Advice to the youths
Don’t sit on the sidelines and judge the government and politicians on their work. Instead, choose to be amazing at your job. The better you get at doing your own job, the bigger your sphere of influence becomes. The bigger your sphere of influence becomes, the better your chances of changing your society.
Final words
Be proud to be and do what you are gifted to do and leave others to be and do what they are gifted to be and do.
KEMI AJUMOBI
