Showbiz
5 Lessons I Learned Building a Comedy Brand from a Character Named Tegwolo
By Erem Emeka
When I first started animating the character Tegwolo, my goal was to make people laugh and capture the hilarious, everyday struggles of Nigerian life through cartoons. I never imagined that this simple idea would be the foundation for a full-fledged media brand, House of Ajebo, a YouTube channel with millions of subscribers. Our newest venture, Jeni and Keni, a fun learning channel for kids with Afrobeat music, shows how we’ve expanded beyond that first character.
The journey from a single funny idea to a sustainable media business is a marathon, not a sprint. Many people see the subscriber counts and the viral skits, but they don’t see the years of strategy, failure, and learning that happen behind the scenes. For any aspiring creator out there wondering how to turn their passion into a profession, here are five lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Your First Fan Must Be You
Before you can convince millions to watch your content, you have to be completely sold on it yourself. You will be your own writer, editor, marketer, and motivator for a very long time. If you don’t genuinely love what you are creating, you will burn out. In the early days, there were times when the views were low and the progress felt slow. What kept me going? I genuinely thought Tegwolo was hilarious. I was my own biggest fan. That passion is your fuel. If you’re not excited to watch your own video for the tenth time during the edit, why would anyone else be excited to watch it once?
Consistency is More Important Than Virality
Everyone wants a viral video. But virality is unpredictable; it’s like lightning in a bottle. A sustainable channel, however, is built on consistency. It’s about building a relationship with your audience, and relationships are built on trust and reliability. Our audience knows to expect new content from us regularly. This consistency turns casual viewers into a loyal community. They don’t just show up for one hit video; they subscribe for the ongoing story. Focus on creating a realistic production schedule you can stick to. A thousand dedicated fans who show up every week are more valuable than a million viewers who show up once and never return.
Learn the Language of Business, Not Just Comedy
I am a comedian and a storyteller. But to run House of Ajebo and manage channels like Jeni and Keni, I also had to become a businessman. This is the part of the job that nobody talks about, but it’s the most critical for long-term success. You need to understand your analytics. Who is watching your content? Where are they from? What keeps them engaged? This data is gold. It helps you make smarter creative decisions. You also need to understand monetization, budgeting, and team management. You are the CEO of your brand. Don’t be afraid to learn about spreadsheets, contracts, and negotiation. Your creativity deserves a solid business foundation to support it.
Your Character is Your Brand; Protect It
Whether your “character” is an animated personality like Tegwolo, a teaching brand like Jeni and Keni, or simply your authentic self on camera, that is your brand. Every piece of content you release, every comment you reply to, and every brand you partner with defines what that brand stands for. We’ve had offers for collaborations that would have paid well but didn’t align with the family-friendly, relatable humor of House of Ajebo. We turned them down. Protecting the integrity of your brand is a long-term investment in the trust of your audience. If your audience trusts you, they will support you in everything you do, including your brand partnerships.
Collaboration is a Superpower
You cannot do it all alone. At some point, to grow, you need to build a team. For me, that meant hiring other animators, writers, and voice actors who could help expand the world of House of Ajebo and create new intellectual properties like Jeni and Keni. But collaboration also means working with other creators. The creator community in Nigeria is incredibly supportive. Working with other creators introduces you to new audiences and pushes you to be more creative. It’s about community over competition. The same goes for brands. The right partnership isn’t just an advert; it’s a collaboration that provides value to your audience and gives you the resources to make better content. Approach it as a creative partnership, not just a transaction.
Building a multi-brand media company on YouTube is challenging and immensely rewarding. It requires you to be an artist, a scientist, and an entrepreneur all at once. But if you stay true to your unique voice and approach your enterprise like a business from day one, you can build something truly special.
Erem Emeka is the Creator of House of Ajebo
Showbiz
Heartbeat, The Split and Other Shows To Watch This Weekend on DStv
If you’re wondering what to stream this week on DStv as the new year settles in and the first full workweek wraps up, we’ve got you. From a brand-new reality dating show that’s about to break the internet to crime drama that will have you at the edge of your seat, here’s your ultimate guide to what to watch.
- Heartbeat – Africa Magic Showcase (DStv 151)
Starting with the star of the week, Heartbeat. It’s Africa Magic’s new dating reality show premiering on Sunday, January 11, 2026.
The show brings together 10 singles, five men and five women, all looking for love in a specially designed love pad. Over 12 weeks, the cameras will capture every flirt, fight, and awkward silence, plus the games and challenges that push them to get to know each other intimately.
And yes, some of these contestants are here for the love and drama. We’ve got Chidera ‘The Slumflower’ Eggrue, Alvin Leonard, Queen Latifah, Igwe Cruise, and more. If you love romance and reality TV chaos, this is your Sunday night fix.
- Paris & Nicole: The Encore – M-Net (DStv 101)
Airing on Sat, January 10 at 10pm, Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie are set to take over your screen. This time, the BFFs are writing, producing, and starring in a one-word opera inspired by their childhood song “Sanasa.”
Episode 3, titled ‘The Sanasapera!’, is pure chaos. They work at Sonic, hijack a Hollywood celebrity tour to find an audience, and then get on stage to perform. If you love ridiculous, unfiltered celebrity energy that makes you question what “high art” even is, this one’s for you.
- There’s a Zulu On My Stoep – M-Net Movies 4 (DStv 108)
Perfect for the weekend is this South African classic airing on Saturday, January 10, at 6:25pm. The film follows two boys who meet in South Africa and form a lifelong friendship, then reunite as adults for a wild adventure.
Directed by Gray Hofmeyr and starring Leon Schuster, John Matshikiza, and Wilson Dunster, it’s a mix of heartfelt bonding and fun. Basically, it’s the perfect palate cleanse before veering into reality TV drama.
- Dating: No Filter South Africa – Bravo (DStv 124)
If you can’t get enough of dating drama, this South African reality series is a must-watch. On the show, singles go on blind dates, and their every move is accompanied by hilarious commentary from SA’s funniest celebrities.
Episodes 5 & 6 of Season 2 promise awkward encounters, accidental sparks, and laugh-out-loud commentary. Perfect if you’re into late-night TV chaos and love seeing people make all the wrong moves in the name of love. It’s airing on Sunday, January 11, at 11:45pm.
- The Split – Africa Magic Showcase (DStv 151)
Taking you into the world of Nollywood, The Split is a high-stakes financial crime drama that will have you holding your breath. The 26-episode series follows three bankers who pocket money that isn’t theirs. When the deceased account owner’s son resurfaces with proof, their pact unravels, sending the trio spiralling into guilt, fear, and betrayal.
With stars like Anee Icha, Baaj Adebule, Esosa Benard, and David Jones David, this one is your Thursday and Friday night adrenaline fix. It airs at 8:30pm.
- Daughters of Water – Africa Magic Showcase (DStv 151)
Still on must-watch Nollywood shows, Daughters of Water is one to look out for. The drama follows the journey of destiny and spiritual heritage through Anie, a disgraced investigative journalist who returns to her hometown, Ikot Ndem, seeking a comeback. Her arrival coincides with the sacred Ukang Festival, where seven “Daughters of Water” from special families take part in a river-dipping ceremony to honour river spirits.
Starring Imoh Eboh as Anie, alongside Ade Laoye, Teniola Aladese, and Bobby Ogbolu, new episodes are released every Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday at 8:30 PM on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151), and you can catch up on previous episodes on Showmax.
All these shows and more are available on DStv, with subscribers still enjoying the opportunity to receive an instant upgrade when they stay connected on their current package or renew on any eligible package, unlocking more movies, sports, kids’ content and local shows from January to February 2026.
Showbiz
Excitement as 9th AFRIMA Kicks Off in Lagos
By Adedapo Adesanya
Lagos State is officially welcoming Africa and the global music community for the 9th edition of the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA), which kicked off in the Nigerian commercial capital.
The Africa’s global music celebration commenced on Wednesday, January 7 and will wrap up on Sunday, January 11, 2026. Yesterday was the Welcome Soiree for nominees and guests, hosted by the British High Commission in Nigeria.
Other highlights of the five-day event include the Africa Music Business Summit on Thursday, January 8; the AFRIMA Music Village, featuring performances by over 25 A-list artistes and DJs from across the continent on Friday, January 9 at Ikeja City Mall; and the Main Awards Ceremony on Sunday, January 11 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos. The awards will be broadcast live to audiences in more than 84 countries worldwide.
Speaking on Wednesday at a press conference held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre, Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja, to herald the commencement of the global event, the Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, who spoke on behalf of the state government as the official host city, described AFRIMA as “a truly remarkable celebration of creativity, excellence and the unifying power of music across Africa and the world.”
“This gathering is a powerful convergence of cultures, ideas and possibilities. It is a moment where Africa speaks to the world through rhythm, melody and storytelling, and Lagos is deeply honoured to host this gathering of exceptional talents, industry leaders, policymakers and creative visionaries,” she said.
She noted that music and culture have become powerful tools for economic growth and global connection, adding that Lagos is proud to host an event that continues to shape narratives and connect continents.
On his part, AFRIMA President and Executive Producer, Mr Mike Dada, explained that AFRIMA, in partnership with the African Union Commission, is “the longest and biggest-running African music platform that promotes and showcases African talent to the rest of the world.”
He said the last edition was held in Dakar, Senegal, and after extensive deliberations, the African Union awarded the hosting rights of the 9th edition to Lagos.
“The goal of AFRIMA goes beyond entertainment. The idea is to showcase African music talent, demonstrate the capacity of the continent and tell the world that Africa is full of excellence. We also use this platform to promote peace and integration, and to show that music can take young people away from the streets,” he noted.
Mr Dada added that AFRIMA also promotes African cities and tourism.
“Many of us know London and Paris more than we know African cities. Through AFRIMA, we promote African destinations to the world, which is why the event is broadcast to over 30 countries,” he said.
He further disclosed that AFRIMA has provided about 6,000 tickets to the Lagos State Government through the Ministry for distribution across all local governments and LCDAs, to enable young people who may not otherwise afford it to attend the AFRIMA Music Village free of charge.
Also speaking, AFRIMA Associate Producer, Mr Olisa Adibua, said awards platforms are critical to the growth of the music industry.
“In other parts of the world, industries thrive because they have infrastructure and systems that reward excellence. For music to grow in Africa, awards like AFRIMA are necessary. We are the backbone and part of the future of the industry,” he stated.
Showbiz
Again, Warner Bros Rejects Paramount’s Aggressive Takeover Deal
By Adedapo Adesanya
The board of Warner Bros. Discover (WBD) on Wednesday once again rejected a hostile takeover offer from Paramount Skydance, affirming its sale to Netflix.
The board said it continued to believe the Paramount bid is inferior to a previously announced deal with Netflix to buy WBD’s studio and streaming business for $72 billion.
“We have a signed merger agreement with Netflix, it’s a compelling value, a clear path to closing and protections for our shareholders if something stops the close, whatever that might be,” said Mr Samuel Di Piazza, who chairs the WBD board said, as per CNBC on Wednesday.
Business Post reported last year that WBD entered into an agreement to sell its streaming and studio business to Netflix. However, Paramount has been vying to acquire the entirety of WBD, including its pay TV networks.
In the days following the announcement of that deal, Paramount launched its hostile bid, taking directly to shareholders an offer of $30 per share, all cash for the entirety of Warner Bros. Discovery, including its TV networks.
WBD’s board made an initial recommendation to reject the offer, and Paramount subsequently made another push for the coveted assets. In late December Paramount guaranteed the backing of billionaire Larry Ellison, the father of Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, as a clear response to questions raised by WBD’s board.
Paramount first showed interest in acquiring all of Warner Bros. Discovery’s assets in September.
The company made three takeover offers before Warner Bros. Discovery kicked off a formal sale process, inviting other bidders into the fold. It would eventually settle for Netflix.
Netflix issued its own statement welcoming the WBD board’s recommendation and noting it has been engaging with the US Department of Justice and European Commission on antitrust concerns surrounding the merger.
“The WBD Board remains fully supportive of and continues to recommend Netflix’s merger agreement, recognizing it as the superior proposal that will deliver the greatest value to its stockholders, as well as consumers, creators and the broader entertainment industry,” Netflix co-CEOs Mr Ted Sarandos and Mr Greg Peters said in the statement.
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