Features
How MultiChoice Nigeria is promoting local languages and culture with Africa Magic channels

Since its launch in Nigeria in 1993 as a dispatch of MultiChoice Africa’s pioneering vision of delivering world-class pay-television services across Africa, MultiChoice Nigeria has grown into a family entertainment behemoth. At the beginning, top-tier international programmes across genres dominated, but there were plans to ensure that African stories were told by Africans and delivered to homes via the most modern technology.
The desired shift began in 2003 with the inaugural Big Brother Africa, which brought a never-before-seen television reality programming experience to its local audience.
This was quickly followed up by the launch of Africa Magic on DStv the same year, running a few hours daily as a channel dedicated to showcasing indigenous content. With Nollywood, the Nigerian movie industry, fizzing with creative energy and beginning to slowly attract attention beyond the shores of Nigeria, especially in immigrant enclaves around Africa and elsewhere, Africa Magic arrived to speed up the process.
Africa Magic extended its broadcast hours, launching in South Africa in 2004, becoming an instant hit and in no time, launched in 41 other African countries. Nigeria is a strategic market for the MultiChoice brand as Africa’s largest population, and even with the enviable success of Africa Magic, MultiChoice Nigeria saw nuanced opportunities to further widen the appeal.
Airing content in local languages was the way to go. First, it turned to Yoruba, a language spoken in Nigeria’s southwestern region and which had its own thriving movie scene that was turning out flicks in the language. MultiChoice was already broadcasting, in sparing fashion, Yoruba movies on another channel, MagicWorld, on its DStv platform. In 2010, Africa Magic Yoruba and Africa Magic Hausa were unveiled as 24-hour channels, offering Yoruba movies, music, talk shows and lifestyle content. Africa Magic Hausa similarly zoomed in on Hausa entertainment programming, scooping productions from Kannywood, the Hausa film industry.
Africa Magic Igbo would come along in 2015, winking at Nollywood’s prodigious era in the early 90s making movies in Igbo. Movies like Nneka the Pretty Serpent and Living in Bondage not only shaped the industry’s trajectory for local success, but held a blueprint in indigenous language filmmaking. Yoruba, Igbo, and Hausa are the three most widely spoken languages in Nigeria. With subtitles in English, these indigenous channels could also be viewed throughout Central, East, and West Africa.
Underlying the creation of these content properties, though, is the corporate mandate from MultiChoice Nigeria and its GOtv platform to promote and preserve local languages. They have become important components to the company’s branding, gaining competitive advantage in the process. Languages are crucial to the heritage, culture, and identity of a people. But alarm has been raised over the endangerment of local Nigerian languages, facing real threats of extinction. Igbo, in particular, has been predicted to disappear by the end of the century, not to mention minority languages.
Colonialism, imperialism, and even modern globalization have been held responsible for the regression of local languages as well as the outsized emphasis on English, Nigeria’s lingua franca. Policy interventions on the local language crisis are limp, leaving concerned private entities to take it upon themselves to resolve.
With the widespread appeal of its programming, MultiChoice Nigeria is uplifting indigenous languages and culture in its own way. The company has doubled down in this capacity, working with local creators to churn out original content and expanding its library. Period drama Ajoche was a bold picture that explores tensions, war, conflict in Idomaland, and so does Riona, set in 12th century Itsekiri Kingdom. Drama series Halita looks to Northern Nigeria — it’s about a young farm woman whose condition forces her to leave for the big city. In March this year, MultiChoice Nigeria premiered new drama series, Elenini, on Africa Magic. The series tells an intriguing story of a man who runs a thriving business with the support of his wife, until his past re-emerges and causes things to escalate and threaten the foundation of his happy life. It airs on Africa Magic Yoruba (DStv channel 157 and GOtv channel 5) at 6pm WAT. The show is one of the channel’s latest offerings, joining its catalogue of scripted dramas.
Language and culture preservation can be achieved in many ways, and MultiChoice Nigeria has expressed an overall drive towards incubating filmmaking talents with its Talent Factory, especially creating a West African Academy. Through these efforts, the company isn’t just aspiring for market share, but also preserving Nigeria’s local languages and ethnic identities for future generations.
Community
Abiodun declares state of emergency on flooded Isheri community
…assures residents of permanent solution after comprehensive assessment

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, on Monday declared state of emergency on the flooded Isheri community, in Ifo Local Government Area of the State, as he assured residents of the area quick intervention to save the situation.
The governor added that a comprehensive assessment that would lead to permanent solution to the menace of flooding in the affected area would be conducted very soon.
Prince Abiodun, who stated this while fielding questions from newsmen after inspecting the flooded community, said that his administration is working with the federal government to deal with the situation as an emergency case.
He noted that the time has come to find a lasting solution to the perennial flooding to make the area morw conducive for living.
According to him, the state government will see to the elevation of some roads in the area as parts of the solutions to the problem.
The govenor said: “We will prioritize the works here because I am touched with what I have seen. I will ensure that we immediately begin to see signs of relief as we are stepping this up. The Minister of State for Environment is already aware. The Vice President is already aware and also the president. It will be dealt with as an emergency and we are taking it as such.
“As an emergency, I will like to take it up myself. Please continue to bear with us as we are going to conduct a comprehensive assessment of what we need to do to make this place conducive for living.
“Whatever that assessment comes up with is what we are going to implement. So, we are going to first start with ensuring that we have the required road infrastructure at the appropriate levels.
“So if you now built in such a way that we need to relocate you, we have to do that. Whatever it is that we must do to ensure that place does not persistently experience flood, we will do it. But let us wait for the result of the studies to come back and then we will begin to take that decision as and when the situation arises.”
Addressing residents of Riverview Estate, Governor Abiodun said he has requested for an area survey of the entire estate to identify critical areas that needed immediately intervention.
He assured that the intervention would come through the construction of an elevated road with adequate drainages to mitigate their suffering.
“I want to assure you today, knowing fully well that we are a promise keeping administration, we do not say what we do not mean, my heart goes out to you, it is very unfortunate, I am giving my commitment today, the commissioner for works will come and see what needs to be done.
“We have also engage the Minister of State for the Environment, who fortunately, is from Ogun State and I have already brought this to his attention.
“Before the end of the week, I will also table it before the Vice President and the President as well so that we ensure that this problem gets all the desired attention and consequently gets the desired solution so we can bring this to an end,” he said.
The governor also disclosed that he and the Minister of Water Resources would visit the community in few days time.
“We will also discuss the issue of the Ogun-Osun River Basin Authority and try and interrogate the activities there and understand how their activities affect this community and other communities with respect to the opening and closing of the dam,” he said.
The governor described the environment around the Kara cattle market as an eyesore and not befitting the dreams of a “new Ogun State”.
He said that the market was not conducive for human living and not in tandem with the Sustainable Development Goals and waste disposal.
He, however, acknowledged the area as one of the biggest commercial operation that provide services to a large number of people, even as he assured that government would go into a satisfactory agreement with the market men and women after which a comprehensive beautification of the area would take place.
The Chairman, Riverview Estate, Abayomi Akande, in his remarks, intimated the governor of the suffering residents of the area are going through as a result of the flooding.
He said that there is a need for a panel of inquiry into the operations of Oyan Dam to stop incessant release of water to cause havoc in the State
He applauded the governor for sending miscreants packing from the road, saying residents of the axis have suffered robbery attacks and other criminalities for quite awhile.
Akande urged the state government to think of converting the area into a Government Residential Area (GRA) through Public Private Partnership arrangement to fast track its development.
Features
MediaTek, Airtel Nigeria intensify collaborative efforts to bolster mobile connectivity in Nigeria

Lagos, Nigeria – October 12, 2023 – MediaTek, a global leader in semiconductor industry together with Airtel Nigeria, a leading telecommunications service provider, briefed the local media on Thursday on their collaborative efforts, to drive technological advancements and improve mobile connectivity across the nation.
The collaboration introduces MediaTek’s T750-powered Customer Premises Equipment (CPE), a groundbreaking technology that enhances internet connectivity. This advancement allows users to access high-speed 5G networks from the comfort of their homes, opening doors to remote work, gaming, online education, and entertainment streaming like never before.
Speaking during the session, Rami Osman, Director for Corporate Sales and Marketing at MediaTek, Middle East Africa, highlighted MediaTek’s commitment towards expanding its footprint across the Smartphone and Smart Device ecosystem in the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region.
“MediaTek is at the forefront of the global semiconductor industry, and we are proud to lead the way in key sectors like Smartphones, 5G Fixed Wireless Access, Wi-Fi, TV, and AI-IoT. In Nigeria, our collaboration with Airtel Nigeria, revolves around three core areas of focus. In connectivity, we are enhancing high-speed internet access with our advanced chipsets.”
“In the Smartphone domain, we are committed to offering a wider range of premium and flagship devices while supporting the transition from feature phones to smartphones. In the realm of AI-IoT, we are exploring new possibilities and technologies. Thus, this will promote digital inclusion, revolutionize connectivity in Nigeria, and contribute to sustainable development goals,” said Osman.
In addition, he said, “This collaboration aligns seamlessly with our MEA agenda, laying a robust foundation for the future of 5G technology. As we move forward, we are excited to lead in technological progress within this continually evolving region.”
Ismail Olusegun Adeshina, Director, Marketing at Airtel Nigeria, emphasized the importance of the partnership with MediaTek and how it will provide affordable connectivity to Nigerians. He stated, “Our commitment to innovation is evident through our early adoption of 5G technology. We’re proactively investing in this technology to improve connectivity, to tackle coverage and cost challenges, and make 5G devices more accessible across Nigeria”.
MediaTek powers globally recognized brands and remains dedicated to providing state-of-the-art innovations through its latest products and solutions. These offerings span a diverse range, including smartphones, smart devices, automotive technology, satellite connectivity solutions, and next-generation wearables.
MediaTek’s product portfolio includes MediaTek Dimensity for 5G smartphones, MediaTek HelioG series for 4G gaming smartphones, MediaTek Kompanio for arm-based Chromebooks, MediaTek Pentonic for Smart TV technologies, MediaTek Genio for Internet of Things applications, MediaTek Filogic for advanced Wi-Fi 6/6E & Wi-Fi 7 solutions, and MediaTek Dimensity Auto for cutting-edge automotive technologies, among others.
For more information, please visit: https://www.mediatek.com/
Features
Bigi Brand’s Annual “Watch & Win” Promo Returns with Grand Prizes

The award-winning Bigi Carbonated Soft Drink brand, a product of Rite Foods Limited, is delighted to unveil her highly-anticipated fourth edition of its “Bigi Watch and Win” promo. Designed exclusively for movie enthusiasts in Lagos and Abuja, this exciting promo offers participants the opportunity to watch their favourite movies and win fantastic prizes.
From September 18, 2023, to November 18, 2023, movie goers can enjoy any film of their choice at Silverbird Cinemas and receive a raffle ticket. These tickets can be redeemed for a chance to win incredible prizes, including laptops, Bigi products, printers, perfumes, and more. The grand prize for this edition is a brand-new car.
The first edition of “Bigi Watch and Win” took place in 2021, and later that same year in December, the Bigi brand held another edition. Since then, it has become an annual tradition, demonstrating Rite Foods Limited’s commitment to rewarding brand loyalty among its valued consumers.
Ms. Biola Aransiola, Assistant Brand Manager for Bigi, expressed her excitement about the fourth edition of the promo, saying, “We’ve partnered with Silverbird Cinemas to enhance people’s movie-going experience. Movie lovers can enjoy any of our 13 Bigi Carbonated Soft Drink flavours while watching their favourite films and stand a chance to win amazing prizes.”
Ms. Aransiola also mentioned that her favourite part is witnessing participants’ reactions when they discover the incredible prizes they have won, particularly the grand prize—a brand-new car. She encourages potential participants to check @getbigi on all social media platforms for the terms and conditions.
Through the “Watch & Win” promo, the Bigi brand accentuates Rite Foods Limited’s dedication to supporting the entertainment industry. The brand continues to sponsor movie premieres, as it has in the past with movies such as “The Prophetess,” “Progressive Tailors Club,” and “Aki and Pawpaw.” Additionally, it has been a consistent sponsor of the popular talent discovery platform, Nigerian Idol, for three consecutive seasons (6, 7, & 8), helping aspiring Nigerian singers achieve their dreams of stardom in the music industry.
The “Watch & Win” promo, combined with other effective marketing initiatives, has earned the Bigi brand numerous awards within its market segment. In 2023, Bigi Cola was honored with the “Best Value for Money” award at the BrandXchange Consumers Value Awards. In 2022, it received the “Fastest Growing Cola Brand of the Year” award at the Marketing Edge Brands and Advertising Excellence Awards in Lagos. The Bigi brand also claimed the “Most Outstanding CSD Brand of the Year” award at the 2021 Brandcom Awards, solidifying its position as a market leader in the beverage industry, outperforming its competitors.
-
Sports8 hours agoSports Viewing Is Becoming More Social and Here’s Why
-
Opinion8 hours agoCommunication that make your fintech brand stand out – John Kokome
-
Uncategorized2 days agoMultichoice Rolls Out Special DStv, GOtv World Cup Offers
-
Uncategorized1 day agoUnion Bank’s Endless Possibilities Campaign Wins Bronze at the 2026 Pitcher Awards
-
Uncategorized2 days agoLike Bayo Adelabu, Like King Saul: The Primate Ayodele Factor
