RSS Feed (xml)
WBS should style up! Last night I rushed to catch the fifth episode of The Apprentice Africa and reached home panting. And what do I find? Some old school documentary by Ali Mazrui, that has been played endlessly by the same station.
"Due to unavoidable circumstances, we are unable to broadcast Apprentice." is all they kept splashing on my screen much to my irritation.
This is not the first time WBS is disappointing me. A year or back, they scooped rights to broadcast Champions League but would push live games deep into the night without apologies! UBC TV had been doing quite good work until WBS stepped in. My prayers were answered the following year when the national broadcaster won the rights again.
Now it has come to Apprentice. I've been hooked since day one and have been monitoring the progress of our boys, especially Deox and now WBS is beginning to play games. If the problem was from the source –Nigeria – where the shooting is taking place, they should have let us know.
Every viewer is important and if WBS cannot reliably show me the great business show, then the producers of TAA should switch to our good old UBC or NTV.
Then I won't have to suffer migraines grumbling.
Week IV
You must agree with me, lover of TAA, that the fourth week is so far the most exciting!
There was an unpredictable twist when Omar having been chosen by the Zulu Corporation to be their next task manager was switched to become the project manager of the Matrix Corporation and replaced with Kathleen.
As for the task, the two teams were driven to Eko Hotel and instructed to "refurbish and decorate a hotel room that meets the standards" of the hotel and in a way that somebody like Shobanjo "will be happy to live in".
Down on it, the unshakable Cameroonian, hard like the yams she grew up eating, handled the obstinate boys, delegating tasks, and impressing it upon them she was the boss.
In the 'enemy' camp, Omar behaved like an African chief, imposed his authority on the girls, apportioned functions and then fell back to scratch his itchy chin.
He then made a fatal mistake when he insisted the Zulus be subjected to a thorough search alleging they had planned to sneak in items from their Lagos mansion to the hotel room they were about to decorate. To my amusement, this move backfired on him when our boy Deox suggested that the Matrix be searched as well. In the process, the calculative boys saw everything the Matrix Corporation had bought and fast alerted their guys who were still shopping to get better decorations than what the Matrix had bought.
The contestants who had put a lot of effort in preparing the concepts for the rooms busied themselves, and those who remembered Extreme Makeup tips put them to good use and put up a quite a good show.
Later while assessing their efforts, the two Eko Hotel executives observed that the Matrix Corporation had created a little home away from home, but added quickly, that the Zulus were winners because they had coordinated the colours and arranged their room to meet the desired standards.
A smiling Shobango congratulated the boys and sent them to Swe Bar to sing karaoke with Nigerian's foremost artistes 2Face Ibibia and Sasha. He even cracked the boys up when he joked that if any of them didn't sing well during the karaoke he would be fired!
In the boardroom, tension was high meanwhile. The C.E.O was pissed off that Matrix Corporation had lost at what they were conceived to do better, and by the fact that this was the third time in four weeks that he was meeting them.
The girls heaped blame on Omar saying he had used a dictatorial approach and refused to listen to their ideas and done nothing himself.
Omar said his concept of "focus, accountability and cohesiveness" was strong but that the girls had remained disorganized. He made the mistake of accusing Eunice and Bekeme as the weakest links. It was a mistake because an incensed Eunice shot Omar saying he had had a premonition they would lose and even wooed her into conspiring with him to save their hide. She said she had assured Omar she would kill him if he dragged her to the boardroom. She literally fulfilled her threat because the ruthless Shabanjo was shocked by her confession and angrily fired Omar!
That this was a second time a project manager was being fired after Anthony proves that being a leader sometimes does not pay.
On his way home, the crestfallen Guinean left us something with which to remember him –he said Shabanjo had sacked him because he didn't like the cologne he wore!
Watch out Deox because in this game it is every man for himself, and remember, wolves devour each other!
Week III
To lose twice consecutively was disastrous, as the tough C.E.O made it clear to the Matrix Corporation. The Nigerian belle, Blessing, once again blamed poor leadership on their loss. For that, she was asked by Shobanjo to provide the much needed winsome leadership that would propel her camp to success.
House secretary, the smashing Lillian, had a call for Deox. It was from the boss and summoned the contestants to Chicken Republic –Nigeria's chicken hub that brings in a daily amount of 12 million Naira selling chicken parts. The task was simple: "create a combo meal of your own" and "manage one Chicken Republic outlet yourself".
It was upon the Zulu Corp. to pick a project manager for this task and the easy-smiling Anthony was trusted with the role.
At Chicken Republic, the teams were given fast tips on cookery and restaurant management from Chicken Republic representatives.
Blessing got the girls started by advising them to concentrate on selling as much instead of wasting precious time on frying the chicken well. We shall not be there tomorrow to see if customers come for more, she argued. Under her management, the girls also designed an advert, printed it out and whosoever saw it had to salivate. Our girl Nancy and Eunice must be commended as the brains behind the tantalising promotion.
Meanwhile, the Zulu camp flooded with confusion. The boys didn't have promotional materials for their outlet and opted to improvise but still nothing was convincing. The ever prescient Deox noticed Anthony was not in control as he ought to and that's when I wished he should have been the leader, for then, the lads would not have had to worry.
Soon the task was over and both teams filed into the boardroom to hear the verdict. You should have been there to see the Zulus cringe when Chicken Republic officials declared Matrix Corporation winners.
You had to concede that the holy magic in the name Blessing had something to do with the girls' victory. Even the hard-to-please Shabanjo was impressed judging from the smile on his face and rewarded the girls with a sumptuous dinner at Reeds Restaurant.
In boardroom, Tunde and Eddie turned their fangs on Anthony saying he had failed to harmonise things. His boat was visibly sinking and Anthony let it be –much to my shock and that of the C.E.O –by keeping quite. It was a contemporary example of turning the other cheek.
Suddenly, Shobanjo, pointed his finger roughly at the boys and without blinking bayed, "Anthony, you’re fired."
I was a little sad that our neighbour, the modest Kenyan boy had to go but at the same time was glad that our boy Deox is still big in the game.
Week II
Having lost the previous challenge, the Matrix heroines came determined for a real showdown. But would the buoyant Zulus came lifting the name of Shaka Zulu, meaning they were once again ready and nothing would have them intimidated .
The contestants were asked to develop an original and viable financial product for Bank PHB.
Zulu Corp leader, our own Deox, suggested his team chooses a Project Manager for their task. The move that saw Ghanaian Isaac at the helm must be commended for fomenting teamwork, proving Deox is a team player, a virtue that among others will see him to the end.
In the other camp, 'head girl' Michelle [Nigeria] brought some sanity and for a moment, the girls forgot about their sentimentalities because they couldn't afford losing again.
But the Zulus had an unbeatable idea. It involved wooing students to open a life benefit account with the bank that would earn them generous interest which could then be used to start business, pay tuition or else. It could even help solve the problem of graduates trudging the streets for jobs.
As a reward for winning, they were sent away to a Femi Kuti show where they shook their bones to Beng Beng.
It was quite tense in the boardroom meanwhile. To lose is not very bad but to lose twice in a low is inexcusable. Then Michelle found the nerve to sound a bogus excuse about the inexistence of anything new on the market today. Plus she fronted our beloved Nancy to face the axe, together with Blessing yet she had overslept while them girls toiled.
But the no-nonsense C.E.O could take it no more: "You are fired," he shouted, making Michelle the second contestant to go, and proving that leadership, sometimes, does not pay.
Cheers to our strategic boy Deox. You'll bring the dollars home!
Week I
Come day two, and the contestants jubilantly sold their company names to their boss, Shobanjo. The girls said they had chosen Matrix because it is used to solve problems and the boys picked Zulu Corp, a strong African heritage.
The tough man didn't hide his delight at the teams' resourcefulness.
He then announced the first task: Street Hustle which required the males [Zulus] to vend skipping ropes while their female counterparts [Matrix Corps] to sell footballs.
Tension heightened as the players descended upon the streets of Lagos and tried to sell their goods. No one wanted to be the first to be fired so everyone pulled out all the stops that could guarantee their team victory.
Later in the boardroom, group and individual performances were reviewed and the Zulus were 'officially' announced task winners because they sold far more and therefore minted more money than their female counterparts.
As a reward, the boys where sent on a partying spree at the secluded beach on the luxurious Ikanre island where they lifted their glasses and danced themselves lame.
Meanwhile in the boardroom, Shobanjo chastised the girls for being tactless: "My information is that you were more of cheerleaders than anything else," he barked.
The unforgiving boss then turned his wrath on our poor Nancy accusing her of ineffective leadership.
In turn, Nancy blamed Blessing [Nigeria] of not cooperating but it's poor Hannah [Ghana] who hadn't sold a single ball during the task that became the first contestant to be "FIRED" from the show.
I retired with a sigh of relief and with a prayer for our 'boys' –Nancy, Oscar and the indomitable Deox to go all the way!
The opening show had contestants being chauffeured in a convoy of eleven sparkling Ford SUVs to a Lagos mansion where they are staying.
Earlier, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo, the C.E.O, whom everyone has been trying to impress, was shown touring his seven companies with the smash hit Money, Money, Money playing in the background.
Mr. Shobanjo is the Chairman of Troyka group and co-founder of Insight Grey, Nigeria's largest advertising agency.
"If you meet my expectations," he warned the contestants on the first day, "carry on but if you do not, you will meet me in the boardroom, where one of you will be fired."
Right after the introductions, the contestants were assigned a mock task –to redecorate the garden. This was to be the basis upon which the show's first team leaders were chosen.
Nancy Kalemba was recognized for her leadership skills while Deox Tibaingana was applauded for his ability to take charge during the exercise. So the two Ugandans were appointed Project Managers of female and male teams respectively.
The C.E.O then instructed both teams to go create befitting names for their teams. The boys came with Zulu Corp. and the girls chose Matrix Corp., thus began the battle of sexes.
In a surprise twist, the team leaders were made to engage in an arm wrestling contest where selfless Deox acted gentlemanly by allowing beautiful Nancy to win! Hullah Deox!
The day was crowned with a welcome barbecue dinner after which the 18 contestants fraternized getting to know each other and possibly retired in the wee hours of morning.
The first version of The Apprentice Africa, the successful American reality TV show, started three weeks ago and is screening on WBS every Sunday night.
The three Ugandan representatives started off well and if lady luck smiles their way, one of them will, after 16 rigorous weeks of this crazy 'job interview' of managing equally crazy business tasks, return home cruising a Mercedes Benz and with pockets bulging with Sh340m!
Nancy Kalembe of UBC TV, lawyer Deox Tibeingana of Tibeingana & Co. Advocates and Metropolitan Insurance Agency boss Oscar Kamukama are feeling at home away from home in the Lagos mansion that houses the 18 contestants.
My money is on Deox though. The staggeringly handsome and very composed Deox has so far enjoyed plaudits from fellow competitors who described him during the first week as the pillar of stability that holds the team together.
And to solidify that confidence in him, he was made the head of the male group, Zulu Corps after impressing the no-nonsense Biodun Shobanjo, the boss.
Although Nancy did the same with the Matrix Corps, her group lost to their male counterparts in the first assignment which involved vending footballs. The tough CEO summoned her to the boardroom and chided her for ineffective leadership but it was Hannah who made history as the first to be "fired."
The creators of this show, Mark Burnett Productions, who are also behind the popular American reality series, Survivor, should rest assured that Ugandans are natural survivors and I can say without batting an eyelid that Deox will, come June 29, be the last man standing!
Uganda oyeee! Deox oyeeeeeeee! Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!
The Apprentice Africa (TAA) show began three weeks ago and the 18 contestants have this far been reduced to 16.
They are competing for a powerful corporate job with an annual salary of Shs340m and a Mercedes Benz.
The tough-speaking Biodun Shobanjo is the CEO of TAA whom the participants are hustling to impress.
Mr. Shobanjo is the Chairman of Troyka group and co-founder of Insight Grey, Nigeria's largest advertising agency.
The reality series which is the first Africa-wide version of its American counterpart is a 16-week job interview where contestants do rigorous business tasks to determine their resourcefulness and street-smartness.
They handle business problem challenges related to brand awareness, distribution and supply chain management, corporate social responsibility and public relations, leadership, innovation and competition, and marketing campaigns and corporate image.
The show has become a battle of sexes since the contestants were divided into two groups: female and male.
Following each task, the losing team is summoned to the boardroom, where the unforgiving CEO discusses with members the performance and one of the most unserious is fired and sent home.
Uganda is represented by UBC's Nancy Kalembe, Deox Tibeingana of Tibeingana & Co. Advocates and Metropolitan Insurance Agency boss Oscar Kamukama.
The contestants are housed in a Lagos Mansion and the show airs on WBS every Sunday night 8-9pm.
