Calabash | 18 April 2008 12:45 CET

I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN THE VOCAL ONE AMONGST MY PEERS--NIKE COKER

By EMMANUEL GABARI

She is beautiful, brilliant, sassy, fashionable and very talented. She took the broadcasting industry by storm as a presenter in Cool Fm Radio, and she is not in any way ready to let go of the profession that has given her so much fame, connection, and maybe fortune(?) Nike Coker stole the hearts of listeners in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city, with her radio programs that addressed so many issues. Radio listeners were never tired of listening to her sweet and catchy voice. Sometimes they call her the "Aje butter" or "phone babe" on radio. Enjoy this interview with this highly intelligent sister, as she opens up to Emmanuel Gabari on some of her exciting moments into the world of showbiz.

CAN WE KNOW YOUR NAMES?
ONIKEPO COKER, but I'm popularly and simply known as Nike Coker.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM AND WHAT'S YOUR FAMILY BACKGROUND?
I'm an Isale Eko Representa (Lagos State, Nigeria). My parents brought me up in a "Law & Order" kind of household. My dad was in the Nigerian Army and my Mom
is a Lawyer.

DID YOU STUDY MASS COMMUNICATION IN SCHOOL?
FAR from it. I studied Biological Science at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana.

WHEN WAS YOUR FIRST TIME IN THE MEDIA WORLD?
I stumbled into broadcast journalism as an undergrad in Ghana. I co-hosted a drive home radio program on the campus radio station (RADIO VALCO) and before I graduated I had 2 outstanding awards; Best Program and Best Supporting Presenter.

HOW HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO GATHER EXPERIENCE IN THE JOB?
Experience comes with each day. You make mistakes and you learn fast from them. Nothing beats having the zeal and passion for the job though. If you don't have those two traits, then there¡¦s no point pursuing a career as a broadcaster.

YOU WERE WORKING WITH COOL FM RADIO FOR SOMETIME?
Yes! I worked with Cool FM ABUJA when I got back home to Nigeria and after my service year.

HOW LONG DID YOU STAY THERE AND WHAT WERE YOUR JOB ROUTINES WHILE YOU WERE THERE?
I was with Cool FM for 4 (Four) years. I recently resigned as their Head of Production & Programming in Abuja. My job entailed everything from production, news and the actual show presentation of different show elements on the station including my own. It can be challenging cos you need to be able to give something new and fresh to your audience each and every day. People know me as the presenter and producer of a women¡¦s interest show called GIRLTALK. I presented GIRLTALK for 3 (three) years.

WOULD YOU SAY BROADCASTING PAYS IN NIGERIA?
To a large extent it doesn't but like I said before, zeal and passion is everything.

ASIDES BROADCASTING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO?
I initiated a Women's Empowerment event sometime last year in Abuja. It brings women & girls from all walks of life together to network and learn from each other. It's called SistaSista. We've had 2 editions so far and the next one should be sometime in July this year.

THE LADIES ARE MAKING MORE WAVES IN BROADCASTING THAN THE MALE COUNTERPARTS, DO YOU AGREE?
Yes! Women are! But we need more ladies to come on board!

YOU PUT UP A VERY SUPERLATIVE PERFORMANCE AS THE MC AT THE FACE OF SELARA EVENT IN MACRH. HOW DID YOUDO IT?
Preparation, nothing beats that. Being confident and audible also helps a lot.

WHEN DID YOU REALISE YOU CAN DO MC JOBS?
Whao, I've been MCing for a long time now.I have always been the vocal one amongst my peers. Class Captain, Prefect, Choir Leader; the list goes on.

ITS BEING A PLEASURE TALKING TO YOU.
Thanks Emmanuel.

EMMANUEL GABARI
REPORTING FOR http://www.nollywoodgists.com

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