Wazobia Max is a new television station. What makes it distinct?
We decided to move beyond the Wazobia FM and establish a television station. Wazobia Max is a television station for the grassroots. It has a great local content for the true Nigerian. It is different from Wazobia TV (a cable-network now in Lagos). It is terrestrial; hence there is no extra cost once you have your regular television set.
How do you make money if your programmes are free to view?
People sponsor programmes; others advertise products and services.
Why did you introduce a free viewing television station?
Our aim is to reach people who don’t have cable television. Free-to-air or free-to- view is for everybody. You need only your television set to watch our programmes.
What makes Wazobia Max different from other stations, especially in the area of programming?
We are a symbol of Nigeria’s unity. We work on values that unify the country through our programming. We recognise that we have differences. We speak multiplicity of languages. We practise different faiths. Essentially, we also recognise that we are one. We broadcast to cement that oneness. First of all, we major in Pidgin English in our programmes. One thing that unites Nigeria so uniquely is the Pidgin English. Everyone speaks it with ease.
Wazobia Max is a family entertainment platform that produces wholesome programmes for the whole family. We produce programmes every member of the family can identify with. We have joy in the knowledge that every Nigerian gets the Nigerian feeling from watching our programmes. At the same time, we are creating employment for our teeming youths. We are making jobs available to Nigerians at a time some organisations are laying off members of staff.
When did Wazobia Max open for business?
We were commissioned on May 3, 2016. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Muhammed was here. He was eminently supported by friends of the station. We started transmitting life programmes a week after the commissioning. The minister said something that made it clear that our passion was indeed being recognised. He said, “The Wazobia brand is ingenious in developing localised and entertaining channels at a time that international programmes seem more profitable and popular.”
For us, it’s not all about moneymaking. We have values for Nigeria that we push, even if we don’t make money by so doing.
What are some of the popular programmes you run?
We have Breakfast Show, which is about present happenings brought to you in a light, homely manner. There is Crossfire, which highlights more serious issues, through which we reach out to the government, institutions and the general public. We have Night Show, which is another item designed for relaxed, family and socio-political tit-bits. We take issues seriously and display them in funny ways, using different entertainers. We have Igbo, Hausa and Yoruba characters who play out our diversities and show us our common grounds, all at once.
Back to what makes you different from others? Why are you proud of Wazobia Max?
In terms of equipment, ours is the best in the country. No television station in this country has the sophisticated, ultra-modern equipment we have here. We have designed standards in personnel and material we are determined to maintain. Those who work here are duly guarded by carefully drawn policy meant to make the station run, irrespective of peculiar tendencies of the individuals. We enforce procedures within the understanding that we are a family bonded by common ideals that must be above every individual so that the workplace can thrive. In our drive for excellence, we don’t cut corners. An organisation goes from strength to strength once there is a firm structure.
You said you had the best equipment; how do we believe you?
Our gadgets are there for anyone who wants to evaluate them. We have invested in the latest technology. The cameras and all are not the regular ones. You have only to enter the main studio to confirm what I’m saying. We have a set of robotic cameras, not available to any other television station in this country. That enables our producers and directors to deliver spectacular content. With the cameras, each TV show, commercial, film, and live event is visually more appealing than the equipment before now could make it.
Is Wazobia Max all about Pidgin English?
It is not all in Pidgin English. We also do the standard English because we are in the capital city where we must reach out to people who are not necessarily Nigerians. In our Pidgin English programmes, we reach out from the standpoint that we are a platform of unification of the Nigerian people. Yes, Nigerians have their differences, but we are Wazobia, carved from words in Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo, Nigeria’s three largest tribes. The respective words mean come.
What was the motivation for Wazobia Max?
It was conceived for entertainment and enlightenment for the people, as well as empowerment for the mostly young staff that run the stations. It was conceived for the overall good of the country. We keep trying to stretch our strength and create more great programmes for the community and opportunities for the people that work here.
Cool FM started in 1999, Wazobia FM started later, the Nigerian Info is about three years old while the Wazobia Max is the new station.
What are your hours of broadcasting?
All our stations, radio and TV stations operate 24 hours nonstop.
