Chukwuebuka Obi-Uchendu // (born 14 July 1982) is a Nigerian media personality. He is known for hosting the reality show Big Brother Naija, the long running Rubbin' Minds talk show on Channels TV as well as co-hosting The Spot and Men's Corner on Ebonylife television.[1][2][3] He is an ambassador for Budweiser Nigeria,[4] Samsung Nigeria,[5] and 2Sure Nigeria.[6]
Ebuka Obi-Uchendu | |
|---|---|
 Ebuka at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards | |
| Born | Chukwuebuka Obi-Uchendu 14 July 1982 Benin City, Edo, Nigeria |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Spouse | Cynthia Obianodo (m. 2016) |
| Children | 2 |
Obi-Uchendu has received several award nominations and won the award for Outstanding TV Presenter of the Year at the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards for his work on Rubbin' Minds.[7]
Early Life
editBorn in Benin City, Edo State in south-south Nigeria, to a banker father and a mother who is a nurse, he is the third of four children with an elder sister as well as one older brother, and a younger brother.[8] He went through with his nursery and primary education in the mid-western Nigerian city of Benin, remarkably passing the Common Entrance Examination into secondary school from Primary Four. He subsequently moved with his family to Abuja, the federal capital territory.
Education
editHe had his secondary education at Christ The King College Abuja, graduating in 1997, before getting his university education at the University of Abuja, up until 2004. He proceeded to the Nigerian Law School Bwari, Abuja finishing in 2005 he then returned to school after a 5-year working gap, graduating in December 2010 from the Washington College of Law of the American University Washington D.C., with Master of Laws degree specializations in Intellectual Property as well as Communications law from the Law and Government program.[9]
Career
editBig Brother and beyond
editIn 2006, he went in as one of an eventual 14 housemates on the first season of the popular reality show Big Brother Nigeria, finishing in eighth place.[10] To date, he is one of the most visibly successful BBN 2006 cast members.[11][12] In January 2017, he was announced as the host of the second season of Big Brother Naija[13] as well as the third season.[14]
After the reality show in 2006, he signed endorsement deals with a major telecommunications brand as well as a popular brewing company and as such hosted Friend or Foe[15] on NTA, the GLO Show,[16] also on NTA, as well as Guinness' Greatness TV.[17] He also maintained a weekly column called Contrast with a Nigerian national daily newspaper, This Day.[18] He has written for other publications including What's new and Ace Magazines respectively.[19]
In the run up to the 2011 general elections in Nigeria, he hosted the first ever presidential debate focused on youth issues, which was broadcast live across Nigeria.[20] He also freelances as an MC for ceremonies and events[21]
Rubbin Minds and EbonyLife TV
editIn 2013, producers of Rubbin' Minds, a Nigerian television talk-show, announced that Obi-Uchendu would be the new host.[22]
In 2013, Obi-Uchendu became one of the co-hosts of The Spot, a TV show on DSTV, alongside Lamide Akintobi and Zainab Balogun.[23]
In July 2016, he became the host of Men's Corner, Nigeria's first all male TV talk show.[24]
Ahead of the Big Brother Naija Season 5 reunion, a few fans called for Ebuka Obi-Uchendu to step aside as host.[25] But the greater number of fans and celebrities defended the host's performance so far.[26]
Personal Life
editEbuka is committed to social causes and community engagement. He is also a volunteer to organizations like Enough is Enough Nigeria, he influences to advocate for human rights, social justice and youth empowerment.[27]
On 15 April 2015, Ebuka got engaged to Cynthia Obianodo in Lagos State. They got married on 6 February 2016 in Abuja. On 8 November 2016, they welcomed a daughter. In 2018, they announced they were expecting another child via Instagram. Cynthia once said she met her husband, Ebuka on Twitter.
Filmography
edit| Title | Type | Date | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Brother Nigeria | Reality TV Series | 2006 | Himself | Finished 8th out of 14 |
Awards and recognition
edit
| Year | Award | Category | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | The Future Awards | On-Air Personality | Nominated | [28] |
| 2008 | Nominated | [29] | ||
| 2013 | Nigerian Broadcaster's Merit Awards | Outstanding TV Presenter of the Year (Male) | Nominated | [30] |
| 2014 | Nominated | |||
| 2015 | Won | |||
| 2021 | Net Honours | Most Popular Media Personality (Male) | Won | [31] |
Personal life
editOn 15 April 2015, Ebuka got engaged[32] to Cynthia Obianodo in Lagos State. They got married on 6 February 2016 in Abuja.[33] On 8 November 2016, they welcomed a daughter. In 2018, they announced they were expecting another child via Instagram.[34] Cynthia once said she met her husband, Ebuka on Twitter.[27]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "See Ebuka Obi-Uchendu's style throughout the reality show". Pulse. 9 April 2017.
- ^ "Rubbing Minds With Ebuka Obi-Uchendu". The Guardian. 23 July 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Men's Corner". EbonyLife TV. 20 June 2016. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Ebuka announced as Budweiser brand ambassador". TheCable Lifestyle. 17 April 2019. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ "Samsung unveils JoeBoy and Ebuka as brand ambassadors". Nigerian Tribune. 29 January 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ "2Sure Nigeria unveils antibacterial soap line, announces Ebuka as brand ambassador". Vanguard. 27 September 2021. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ "Check out dapper pictures of Ebuka". P.M. News. 21 November 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "BBNaija: Ebuka Biography, Net Worth". Newsflash247 Nigeria. 25 October 2019. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
- ^ "Interview: From Law To ShowBiz, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu Reveals Why He Is The Voice Of The New Generation". Ono Bello. Archived from the original on 5 October 2021. Retrieved 13 September 2017.
- ^ Ebuka The Don http://pub33.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=2762200434&frmid=934&msgid=675705&cmd=show Archived 8 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Amebor Website http://amebor.com/minding-ebuka-obi-uchendus/ Archived 4 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ BellaNaija http://bellanaija.blogspot.com/2006/11/bellanaija-hot-list.html
- ^ "Big Brother picks Ebuka as host". The Guardian. 14 January 2017. Retrieved 27 July 2021.
- ^ "Ebuka Hosts Big Brother Naija". 24 December 2017.
- ^ NaijaRules http://www.naijarules.com/vb/nollywood-movies-tv-shows/19214-friend-foe-adds-more-fun-television.html Archived 26 August 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Naija News http://www.mynaijanews.com/content/view/419/81/
- ^ The Sun http://www.sunnewsonline.com/webpages/features/showtime/2007/mar/23/showtime-23-03-2007-003.htm Archived 6 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Click on Glitterati http://www.thisdayonline.com/ Archived 8 December 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Ebuka Obi Uchendu Net Worth, Biography, Cars » Carmart blog". 18 August 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "NnekaTV". 25 March 2011. Retrieved 30 April 2014 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Ebuka Obi Uchendu Net Worth, Biography, Cars » Carmart blog". 18 August 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Rubbing Minds With Ebuka Obi-Uchendu". The Guardian. 23 July 2017. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "TV TAKEOVER: Ebuka Obi-Uchendu Joins EbonyLife TV with Lamide Akintobi & Zainab Balogun". 360Nobs.com. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ "Why do women cheat?". Pulse. 23 December 2016.
- ^ "EBUKA: Understanding why Nigerian feminists want Big Brother Naija host changed". Ripples Nigeria. 31 March 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ "Jemima Osunde curses follower who asked for Ebuka Obi Uchendu to be replaced as the host of Big Brother Naija". Linda Ikeji's Blog. 27 March 2021. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
- ^ a b Blessing (9 August 2022). "Ebuka Obi Uchendu Net Worth, Biography, Cars in 2022". Carmart auto blog. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "NOMINEES LIST FOR 2007 | The Future Africa – Inspiring Leadership, Building Enterprise | Nigeria's Biggest Youth Event". Thefuturenigeria.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ "NOMINEES LIST FOR 2008 | The Future Africa – Inspiring Leadership, Building Enterprise | Nigeria's Biggest Youth Event". Thefuturenigeria.com. Archived from the original on 12 April 2014. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
- ^ "BEHOLD! Winners at 6th Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards (NBMA) | Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards". Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 21 March 2016.
- ^ "Net Honours - The Class of 2021". Nigerian Entertainment Today. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ "Ebuka Obi-Uchendu & Cynthia Obianodo are Engaged!". BellaNaija. 15 April 2015. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ "First Look: Cynthia Obianodo & Ebuka Obi-Uchendu's White Wedding in Abuja". 6 February 2016.
- ^ "Media personality, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu & wife Cynthia welcomes a baby girl". Daily Times. 11 November 2016.