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Isabella Akinseye is co-host of TV progamme, Africana Literati
ISABELLA AKINSEYE is making a strong mark with her passion for the literary world. In this interview she tells BEATRICE ISOLA about her new TV show, Africana Literati. Excerpt:
What is your show about?
It is called Africana Literati with the tag line, “Love Africa, Read Africa.” So far as you are intelligent with an interest in Arts and Literature with a soft spot for Mama Africa, you are one of us. Yes, you are a proud Africana Literati. We want to get people telling and reading our own stories. We are also making reading and learning cool. As a teacher, it was natural that I would want to teach my audience a thing or two and I do that on the ‘Back to School’ segment which focuses on spelling, pronunciation and an African slang. Then we have Dr. Wilfred Okiche who is a culture critic handling the book reviews. We focus on African material. We are happy to hear from budding authors out there. Harri Obi who is an OAP and TV host hits the streets to get a pulse on topical issues related to African arts and culture. The show is for the fans so we want them to contribute through the vox pop section. Then we have profiles of African literary greats, quotes and countdowns. It is packed! We even have a giveaway courtesy of Wall Jaunt. We already have more ideas for season 2 but first we want to see how season 1 is received, fingers crossed.
What informed the idea of the show?
It started out as an idea that has grown over time. Back in 2009, I worked at Farafina Books. I moderated book readings, wrote book reviews and interviewed authors. Together, my colleague/friend, Temitayo Olofinlua and I started The Bookaholic Blog. We were real Bookaholics. I got the opportunity to present a book review segment, ‘Bookaholic with Bella’ every week as part of Today on STV. I did it for one year. It was great because I got a lot of messages and books. The feedback was amazing. I started writing book reviews for publications and newspapers. Unfortunately, I could not continue when I returned to Cambridge to complete my studies. When I came back, I worked in the corporate world but over the years, I knew I wanted to go back to the screen. So the ideas started coming for different shows but I chose to start with this because for me it was like returning to my first love – books. I developed the idea for a while and eventually, I took the plunge and I am so glad I did.
Why is the show necessary at this time?
I love this question. Here is mine, how many art and book shows do we have out there? Can you name up to 5 or 10? I love what Channels TV is doing with their book club show and Wana Udobang’s Cultural Diaries is a great show. You know abroad, books, arts and culture are a big deal. Here in Nigeria, it is politics, music, sports, reality and fashion. So there is a huge and gaping hole and Africana Literati is only too happy to fill it.
How long will it air?
A long time, I hope. We have 13 episodes for season 1 and preliminary work has begun on season 2. So our plan is to start on cable network before moving to terrestrial and online. We are also in talks to get it aired abroad because we have a huge Diaspora population in Europe and the States. We also hope that we can follow up with season 2 once season 1 finishes airing.
What station is it airing?
Africa Magic Family and Africa Magic World. The show is targeted at not just Nigerians but Africans. So Africa Magic with its broad reach in Africa makes it the perfect choice. We come on air April 16, people can watch us on Africa Magic Family every Saturday at 11 am (West African Time) and we have repeats on Thursday 2 pm on Africa Magic Family and 12.30pm on Friday on Africa Magic World.