Ten years ago, the very first
edition of popular reality TV show, Big Brother Nigeria (BBN) was launched, a
spinoff of Big Brother Africa. Throngs of applicants struggled on the queue to
be selected for the show, but Katung Aduwak, Ebuka Uchendu, Gideon Okeke, and a
few others were among the lucky ones who made lasting impression on the judges.
For those 14 lucky housemates, the platform offered on a platter of gold an
easy entry point into the entertainment world. Thus, the show brought to the
limelight 14 vibrant youths who entertained us with their different
personalities and unique talent. Ultimately, Katung Aduwak emerged winner and
carted home $100,000 after multiple rounds of public voting and contestant
eliminations.
The ex-BBN housemates have since
moved on to various pursuits - some into private businesses which have kept
them out of the spotlight, while others trode the path of stardom.
With the second edition of the
competition set for January 2017, here’s a walk down memory lane and a look
into the lives of seven popular housemates ten years after:
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| Katung |
Katung Aduwak
We all cannot forget that moment
when 26 year old Katung was announced the winner. His win was surprising seeing
as he came into the house after the second eviction and won about 80% of the
tasks. He and his co-housemate, Sandy, were kept in isolation with no external
contact & zero access to TV or news for 3 weeks before being introduced to
the show. Katung proceeded to New York to get a directorial degree from the
Digital Film Academy after which he returned to Nigeria and worked on several
projects. He produced and directed the movies “Unwanted Guest” and “Heaven’s
Hell”. He also directed a number of music videos for Chocolate City, Styl Plus,
Gabriel Afolayan and starred in EbonyLife TV’s Desperate Housewives. Currently,
Katung is the Senior Channel Manager MTV Base and Executive Director at
Chocolate City.
 |
| Ebuka |
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu
He is perhaps the most prominent
face on the entertainment scene since leaving the Big Brother house. Ebuka won
our hearts with his charming smile and witty personality. Although he did not
win, he went on to write for a number newspapers and magazines and anchor
events before taking a break to go back to school for his master’s degree in
law. Since his return to the scene in 2011, there has been no stopping him!
Ebuka has become a media personality of note, contributing to several online
publications and hosting several events. In 2013, he was announced the new host
of Rubbin’ Minds, a youth-focused TV show on Channels television and is also
one of the co-hosts of The Spot, a show that combines a bit of reality TV with
talk show and sitcom, showing on EbonyLife TV on DStv channel 165 alongside
Lamide Akintobi.
 |
| Zainab |
Zainab Balogun
He has won several awards and
been honored by the Federal Government as one of the Best 100 Young Nigerians
in one of the events to mark 100th anniversary of Nigeria as a union in 2013.
 |
| Gideon |
Gideon Okeke
He was the sixth evictee of the
Big Brother Nigeria house and ten years later, Gideon has maintained a steady
acting career. He captured our attention with his role in AfricaMagic’s Tinsel,
the longest running Nigerian soap opera, and a number of feature films such as
’93 days’, ‘A Place in the Stars’ and ‘When Love Happens”. His acting prowess
has earned him a number of accolades and recognitions including an award for
Best Actor in a TV series (drama) Nigerian Entertainment Award in 2010 and a
nomination for Best Actor in a Drama in the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award
(AMVCA) in 2015. He has been a part of big budget stage productions such as
critically acclaimed SARO The Musical (2014). He has also hosted several TV
shows and events and is the CEO of a media outfit, AppleBox.
 |
| Francisca |
Francisca Owumi
She was the fiery dancer during
her stay at the Big Brother Nigeria house and emerged first runner up. After a stint as a writer at Revista, an international
magazine based in Ghana; the Big Brother Nigeria star made a comeback, with two
singles “Gbadu you” and “Diva” under her own record label Cisca Entertainment.
Sandra Osaigbovo
‘Sandy’ finished fourth in the
Big Brother Nigeria house. Ten years after the curtain fall on the competition,
Sandra is now a certified fitness trainer and Zumba instructor. She is a Fellow
at the Institute of Registered Exercise Professionals (IREP).
 |
| Maureen |
Maureen Osuji
Maureen opted for a career in the
corporate world after the Big Brother Nigeria experience. She later proceeded
to the Fashion Retail Academy in London for a degree in Fashion Buying
Merchandising and Management. Now, she works as the creative director and
independent buyer at Aurora Daniels.
 |
| Frank |
Frank Konwea
Known for his 'loud-mouthed-ness'
in the house, Frank continued his career as a professional dancer performing at
several shows and concerts. He was also a judge on a popular dance TV show.
The Big Brother phenomenon
presents a platform of endless possibilities. It holds the appeal of
catapulting ‘ordinary’ people from different walks of life into superstardom.
Some of these individuals don’t even know the extent to which this road will
take them, but they are willing and brave enough to take the plunge! So come
January 2017, the country and indeed the whole of Africa will be introduced to
a new set of talent. The question is will you be watching?
Big Brother Naija will air on
dedicated event channels on all DStv packages on channel 198 and GOtv Plus on
channel 29 from January 22, 2017. The show is proudly sponsored by PayPorte,
your preferred online retail store.
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