In an interview with Kemifilani.com, fast rising presenter Harrison Obiefule
aka Harri Obi talked about growing up, education, how he got into media and
presenting, his role models and mentors and his goals in the entertainment
industry.
The Political science graduate turned presenter
said he would love to host the biggest events and reality shows in the
continent… read the full interview below….
aka Harri Obi talked about growing up, education, how he got into media and
presenting, his role models and mentors and his goals in the entertainment
industry.
The Political science graduate turned presenter
said he would love to host the biggest events and reality shows in the
continent… read the full interview below….
KFB: Tell us about yourself
My
name is Harrison Obiefule, but I’m popularly known as Harri Obi. It is easier
to pronounce and memorize. Lol. I’m a TV Host & Producer, Compere and
occasional writer and all round Mr. Nice guy. First child of four boys (Yes, I
grew up with soldiers). Attended Revival Group Nursery and Primary School,
Kings College, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where I bagged a Bsc
in Political Science. Did my NYSC in Jos.
name is Harrison Obiefule, but I’m popularly known as Harri Obi. It is easier
to pronounce and memorize. Lol. I’m a TV Host & Producer, Compere and
occasional writer and all round Mr. Nice guy. First child of four boys (Yes, I
grew up with soldiers). Attended Revival Group Nursery and Primary School,
Kings College, Lagos and Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, where I bagged a Bsc
in Political Science. Did my NYSC in Jos.
KFB: How was
growing up like?
Growing
up was fun. I was a pampered child even though I wasn’t from wealth. My dad
made sure I received the best in the world from material things to education.
My father threw the best birthday parties for us, took us to different places
kids couldn’t even dream of. I still have relatives who tease me today for
being over pampered whenever I show my stubborn side.
Growing up was fun. It
took me a long while to realise that I wasn’t born rich. I was just privileged
to have parents who were caring to a fault.
up was fun. I was a pampered child even though I wasn’t from wealth. My dad
made sure I received the best in the world from material things to education.
My father threw the best birthday parties for us, took us to different places
kids couldn’t even dream of. I still have relatives who tease me today for
being over pampered whenever I show my stubborn side.
Growing up was fun. It
took me a long while to realise that I wasn’t born rich. I was just privileged
to have parents who were caring to a fault.
KFB: What triggered
your passion for media?
I
discovered my passion for media relatively late. I still have friends from
university who are surprised at my career choice. I got into media as a way of
staying from trouble. During school breaks, my cousin who worked with an online
TV channel would usually take me along to events and ask me to handle the red
carpet. This started because my mum reported me to him that she was
uncomfortable with the kind and number of girls she was seeing around me whenever
I came back for holidays. This was in 2010, in my 2nd/3rd year in the
university.
But I didn’t start to
consider it as a serious career option until my NYSC when I joined the OBS,
orientation broadcasting service, the camp’s in-house radio station. I found
out I could hold my own against my OBS colleagues who were mostly Mass
communication graduates and broadcast majors. Even when a new TV show for and
by corpers was set up, i was one of the few corpers chosen to be one of the
show’s presenters. That was when this whole media thing started for me.
discovered my passion for media relatively late. I still have friends from
university who are surprised at my career choice. I got into media as a way of
staying from trouble. During school breaks, my cousin who worked with an online
TV channel would usually take me along to events and ask me to handle the red
carpet. This started because my mum reported me to him that she was
uncomfortable with the kind and number of girls she was seeing around me whenever
I came back for holidays. This was in 2010, in my 2nd/3rd year in the
university.
But I didn’t start to
consider it as a serious career option until my NYSC when I joined the OBS,
orientation broadcasting service, the camp’s in-house radio station. I found
out I could hold my own against my OBS colleagues who were mostly Mass
communication graduates and broadcast majors. Even when a new TV show for and
by corpers was set up, i was one of the few corpers chosen to be one of the
show’s presenters. That was when this whole media thing started for me.
KFB : How well would
you rate yourself as a media personality?
you rate yourself as a media personality?
Lol.
Honestly, I cannot rate myself. What I have noticed is that I’m always getting
better at my craft. I’m way better than I was when i first faced a camera. The
rating should be left to my viewers. And from the feedback I’ve been getting
from them, I’m not doing that bad.
Honestly, I cannot rate myself. What I have noticed is that I’m always getting
better at my craft. I’m way better than I was when i first faced a camera. The
rating should be left to my viewers. And from the feedback I’ve been getting
from them, I’m not doing that bad.
KFB: Who
is your mentor and why?
I
have a couple of mentors and role models. Ebuka Obi Uchendu, the current host
of Big Brother Nigeria, is one of my mentors. He has been very helpful since we
met and started working together. He finds time from his busy schedule to watch
my shows and advice me on my presentation. Another person is Sulaiman Aledeh,
formerly of Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, now with Arise News (UK). He does the
same thing, teaching me how to work on my pronunciation, voice inflection, etc.
On role models, I admire IK Osakioduwa, ill Rhymz, Jimmie, Ryan Seacrest of E!
and Terrence Jenkins formerly of BET & E!, now with MTV, they epitomize who
and where I want to be, few years from now. Plus i model my presentation style
close to theirs.
have a couple of mentors and role models. Ebuka Obi Uchendu, the current host
of Big Brother Nigeria, is one of my mentors. He has been very helpful since we
met and started working together. He finds time from his busy schedule to watch
my shows and advice me on my presentation. Another person is Sulaiman Aledeh,
formerly of Channels TV’s Sunrise Daily, now with Arise News (UK). He does the
same thing, teaching me how to work on my pronunciation, voice inflection, etc.
On role models, I admire IK Osakioduwa, ill Rhymz, Jimmie, Ryan Seacrest of E!
and Terrence Jenkins formerly of BET & E!, now with MTV, they epitomize who
and where I want to be, few years from now. Plus i model my presentation style
close to theirs.
KFB : Any
awards/nominations?
Yes,
I’ve been lucky to have quite a few recognitions in my young career on TV &
radio. In 2015, I got two nominations in the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards
for Best campus radio presenter and Most Promising Young Presenter, during my
stay as a campus presenter on Unilag 103.1fm. In 2016, I got nominated at the
Katsina Entertainment Awards in the Best OAP category and in the same year, won
the award for the Most Outstanding Media Personality at the Imo state Fashion
and Entertainment Awards.
I’ve been lucky to have quite a few recognitions in my young career on TV &
radio. In 2015, I got two nominations in the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards
for Best campus radio presenter and Most Promising Young Presenter, during my
stay as a campus presenter on Unilag 103.1fm. In 2016, I got nominated at the
Katsina Entertainment Awards in the Best OAP category and in the same year, won
the award for the Most Outstanding Media Personality at the Imo state Fashion
and Entertainment Awards.
KFB : Among all the
events and shows you have hosted, which one would you love to host again and
again?
events and shows you have hosted, which one would you love to host again and
again?
I
don’t think I have a preferred show. I have hosted entertainment shows, science
shows, book and arts, politics, in fact I’m about to host a fashion show. I
like to think I’m an all round presenter. Any show that comes my way, the most
important thing for me is to do a good job.
don’t think I have a preferred show. I have hosted entertainment shows, science
shows, book and arts, politics, in fact I’m about to host a fashion show. I
like to think I’m an all round presenter. Any show that comes my way, the most
important thing for me is to do a good job.
KFB: Which event are
you dying to host?
you dying to host?
Dying?
None. But i wouldn’t mind hosting the AMVCAs or MAMAs, the biggest Movie and
Music shows in the continent. I mean, who wouldn’t want to host them? Lol
None. But i wouldn’t mind hosting the AMVCAs or MAMAs, the biggest Movie and
Music shows in the continent. I mean, who wouldn’t want to host them? Lol
Other
ones include GidiFest, the biggest beach party in Africa, and the Future
Awards, which I’ve always dreamt of hosting.
ones include GidiFest, the biggest beach party in Africa, and the Future
Awards, which I’ve always dreamt of hosting.
KFB
: Where do u see yourself in 2 years?
: Where do u see yourself in 2 years?
Two years from now, I’m
working towards being a house hold name from the TV industry in the league of
Ebuka, IK, Toolz, Sulai Aledeh, Dotun, have my own production company that’ll
be providing contents for the biggest TV channels in the world, host the
biggest events and reality shows in the continent. And I can tell you that it’s
very close.
working towards being a house hold name from the TV industry in the league of
Ebuka, IK, Toolz, Sulai Aledeh, Dotun, have my own production company that’ll
be providing contents for the biggest TV channels in the world, host the
biggest events and reality shows in the continent. And I can tell you that it’s
very close.
KFB: Do
u have a girlfriend?
u have a girlfriend?
Lol. I didn’t see that one
coming. No, I don’t have a girlfriend.
coming. No, I don’t have a girlfriend.
KFB :
Why???
Why???
Cliché, but I’m not in the
relationship phase now. Having and keeping a girlfriend takes time and effort.
Right now, I’m too obsessed with my career to give or create time for someone
else. Maybe in the nearest future, who knows
relationship phase now. Having and keeping a girlfriend takes time and effort.
Right now, I’m too obsessed with my career to give or create time for someone
else. Maybe in the nearest future, who knows
KFB: Any
words for your fans?
words for your fans?
I don’t use the word fans.
Fans are for superstars. I prefer the word Fam or viewers. Well, I want to
thank them all for their immense support, those that watch my TV shows, that
reach out to me on social media, on the road, those that call, send text messages,
email, you name it. Please keep supporting the brand and keep watching my
shows, without you guys, I’m nothing. Thank you.
Fans are for superstars. I prefer the word Fam or viewers. Well, I want to
thank them all for their immense support, those that watch my TV shows, that
reach out to me on social media, on the road, those that call, send text messages,
email, you name it. Please keep supporting the brand and keep watching my
shows, without you guys, I’m nothing. Thank you.
