Nigerian Entertainment Industry Has Created Gold Out Of Scraps- VJ Dizzy

VJ Dizzy who’s real name is Wale Akinjogbin is not new in the Nigerian entertainment industry. Especially in the area of content development and TV production. He came into the limelight over a decade ago as one of the first four VJs (TV hosts) for MTV Base in Nigeria.
He has subsequently given talks in various aspects of media and entertainment across Africa and is definitely one of the most brilliant minds in Africa as far as Television content, Media Buying, Television Markets, and New Creative Media are concerned. He is currently the Senior Partner at Black Collar 360Media. A media company into content production and solutions. He spoke with News Rain about the industry, his career, ideas, and plans

Who is Wale “Dizzy” Akinjogbin, Your Backgrounds And Past Achievements In The Industry

My name is Wale “Dizzy” Akinjogbin. Born and brought up in Jos, Plateau state. I studied architecture at the University of Jos. ( I never practiced though). I started my career with Cool FM Abuja, where I was trained by names like Nike Coker, Wale Ewedemi, Tyeng Gang (Sound City FM) Onimisi Adaba, and Ahide Adum.

When MTVbase came to Nigeria, I was blessed to have been picked to be one of the top 4 TV presenters from Nigeria. Became a youth brand ambassador for MTN even got a brand new yellow car for that! Lol!

Moved on to work with Ayo Animashaun’s HipTV and Headies, I learned production there with a lot of great memories. Then I branched out on my own to produce my first TV show, which failed! Lol! Had a good year stunt with MNET Tinsel for 2 years and there I got to meet with excellent production individuals who helped to start creating content for TV. All the while never lost my love for radio, I did the Friday night mix on Inspiration FM with Charles Dallas (massive hit)

I started producing content for TV stations across Nigeria outside Lagos and getting advertising for it to make profits, everyone was focused on Lagos, I saw a need outside Lagos for the TV stations and for brands to advertise outside Lagos and it worked well. This gave me the impetus to start my own TV network. (Not as easy as I dreamed! Lol)

What’s New And What Are You Cooking Now?

Right now, I’m working on my TV network “YOUtv Africa” as an alternative to DSTV. Currently still in the early stages as we are negotiating for content from Nigeria and across the world. It is a daunting task and there are days I ask myself “na who send me?” But it’s a vision I have had for years and we are painfully inching toward the desired goal.

What is all about – the focus, the concept, and the idea?

Basically an alternative to DSTV, I would rather not break it all down now, it would be interesting for the end-users to be pleasantly surprised and entertained.

You still get your good dose of Hollywood and Nollywood content as well as a lot of local entertainment-related content as you would know, Nigeria is blessed with tremendous talent under tough circumstances and individuals are working independently creating quality, we seek to bring those things to the forefront so Nigerians can enjoy Nigerian content.

What Have Been The Driving Force?

Wellbeing a billionaire is a good motivation! Lol!

But really the way I see it, I don’t have a choice, I have been placed here for a purpose and with a vision and I just have to fulfill that. So many people looking up to me, I have family friends and a lot of positive people around me steady praying and believing in me, I can’t afford to let them down.

I also believe people can be blessed one way or the other by the vision whether it’s by getting a salary from our company and in turn being able to take care of your family or by watching something we created and it having a positive impact on the person. That gives me fulfillment

Is There Any Challenge?

Of course! I guess it wouldn’t be worth it if there were none, and 2020 has not made it any easier, as you can see it’s affecting even the big names. Iroko, DStv are all making adjustments. The Nigerian terrain is not the easiest to do business none the less, it still has what it takes.

How Would You Rate The Nigerian Entertainment Industry Today?

While I think there’s still so much more to do or achieve especially in film and TV, Personally I’m am extremely proud of the industry, as they have literally created gold out of scraps. From the actors to producers, scriptwriters, makeup artists, set designers, creative directors, lighting professionals, photography, musicians, comedians… everybody is on their A-game and getting better daily! Yes, it needs more organization such that everyone benefits but you cannot deny it is one aspect of the private sector that has been consistent in increasing quality while generating jobs and steady income in the last 2 decades. Most other industries cannot boast of the same. In fact, we have done more in the last 2 decades than a whole lot of other countries have been able to dream of. I was in South Africa to give a talk a while back at the African Television Market during the Durban film festival and a steady question I got was, “How is Nigeria doing it?” With all the hoops the folks from the entertainment industry have to jump through just to create.

What Difference Do You Think You Can Make?

Well… we have 200million people in Nigeria if I can positively affect 10percent with what I do and more so with who I am! I would feel good.

For me, it’s not only about business, but it’s also about character, integrity, and staying true to the course. If my story can teach others to do the same in their various endeavors and they actually do… Nigeria can be one of the best nations on the planet.