After eight years of producing and hosting the acclaimed studio talk show, New Dawn, Funmi Iyanda is back at the helm of a different kind of show. The new project is called Talk With Funmi.
Guests were offered a sneak preview of this new show at a screening which took place at the Silverbird Cinemas on Friday 16th October. Mr. Frank Edoho, presenter of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, was at hand as compere of the event.
Guests began to fill up the venue long before the scheduled start time. In attendance was Governor of Lagos State His Excellency, Babatunde Raji Fashola, and his Oyo State counterpart, His Excellency Adebayo Alao Akala, as well as industry stalwarts from various sectors of the corporate world. The screening began at 5.30 prompt.
The audience got to experience a selection of great moments from the series—from a day out with Charlie Boy and the Okada riders in Lagos to playing football with Governor Fashola and the All Stars. From standing at the foot of the breathtaking Idanre Hills to mixing music with ID Cabasa and 9ice at their studios.
The enthusiastic response from the audience demonstrated by the continuous applause and cheers is a positive predictor for the success of the show. Speaking after the event to the press, Governor Fashola said the media is an asset that should be used to the country’s benefit. “This programme simply shows that we can deploy every medium, not just TV, for good. Let us tell more of our own good stories because nobody will tell it for us. That is the message of this show.”
Another guest, Mrs. Bridget Oyefeso-Odusami was effusive in her praise. “I found the show to be very real in portraying Nigeria from successful people to people on the street. It showed the breath and depth of our people. I would love more Nigerians to be as passionate and real in portraying Nigeria as Talk With Funmi has done.”
To round up the successful evening, guests were treated to a reception at Cubes Bar and Restaurant.
Talk With Funmi is an exciting new programme that captures people around Nigeria. It is a thought provoking, illuminating and entertaining journey into the life of Nigerians from all over the country.
Funmi Iyanda journeys from state to state talking with Nigerians from every sphere of life. The show talks to people everywhere – capturing discussions ranging from the hard hitting stories of the day to everyday challenges of Nigeria with some light-hearted banter and fun along the way. With the first season of recording already completed in some states, don’t be surprised if TWF soon shows up at your doorstep.
Beautifully produced and shot on high definition video, Talk With Funmi is a technical masterpiece. The excellent cinematography and deep, rich colours of the production provide tactile pleasure. TWF is an artistic blend of documentary, reality television and talk show and thus resists categorization. The result is groundbreaking and innovative television from a production team led by award-winning director Chris Dada.
With 36 states, over 200 ethnic groups and 140 million people, Nigeria is alive and teeming with vibrant stories. Nigerians are a people who love to talk, and Nigerians still have great stories to tell – stories of joy, laughter, hard work and success. Stories of suffering and harrowing pain; stories of hope and resilience in spite of all odds.
For Funmi Iyanda, Nigeria’s move towards its fiftieth independence anniversary is the perfect opportunity to capture transformative Nigerian conversations—conversations that will ignite meaningful change.
“Nobody can tell our stories the way we can. It is time for us to stop aping other people and be ourselves, telling our stories with knowledge, intellect, creativity and truth.”
The TWF journey promises to be one that is fresh, eye opening and fun and will be broadcast to TV audiences across Africa.
Talk With Funmi is an Ignite Media production.
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