By Florence Amagiya

For a long time, ace broadcaster, Ndidi Osaka aka Nigerian Japanese, the Princess of the Nigerian airwaves, held sway in the talk shop profession. Her adventure into the broadcasting world was by no means accidental. In the early days, young Ndidi could not control the burning flame of passion which lay dormant inside her.

In her secondary school years, she was an all-round entertainer, systematically trailing the noble footpath of her mother who was a renowned dramatist, dance teacher and an organizer, She is a true tale of like-mother-like-daughter.

However, upon completion of her secondary education, she got a job in the Library department of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) when admission into the University became difficult for her.

In no time, she became the people’s advocate in her radio show as soon as she got launched into the bubbling world of broadcasting. The proud grandmother left an indelible footprint in the sand of time with her famous special English programme, I Beg Una, I beg una would be 20 years this October.

The Onitsha-born broadcaster who prides herself as the only federal government certified Japanese-Nigerian, has been detailed to oversee the affairs of the Radio Nigerian Training school in Shogunle, Lagos.

After thirty five years stint in real broadcasting. In this edition, I present to you a mother, grandmother, one- time Metro FM General Manager, foremost Nigerian female stand up Comedian and a broadcaster, Ndidi Osaka.

Read on…

CAREER START

I would say I had the passion, if you are specially gifted in something; the drive would push you to it. After completing my secondary school education, I found myself acting plays, dancing and getting deeply enmeshed in entertainment. Ironically, my mother was into drama and a dance teacher. She loved her profession with a passion. So, it was only normal that I developed the traits from her. Hence all through my years in the secondary school, I found myself participating actively in virtually all entertainment activities because I derived great joy from it.

THOUGHTS

I had no idea that I would end up as an on-air personality. Though, as a person, I make caricature of situations and people around me with effortless ease and that I would say helped to garnish my raw skills.

CHILDHOOD

My childhood was an interesting one; I am from a wonderful, energetic and talented family. The fifth child in a family of nine. Only the last boy and I followed the noble footpath of our mother. He is renowned master of ceremony (MC). I went straight into broadcasting where my passion lies as I couldn’t gain admission into the university early enough.

HOW IT STARTED

I came into Lagos state precisely in 1978 to look for admission into the University, when it was not possible to get admission, I joined the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) as a librarian. However, before I went fully into production, I had to apply for a transfer because I gained admission into the University of Lagos to do a diploma programme in Mass communication. Later l gained admission to study Business Administration and obtained a Bsc honour degree. If I can retrace my steps, I would choose the same profession over and over again.

LIMELIGHT

At the time I worked as a librarian, the foremost Nigerian Comedian, the late John Chukwu was into variety and light entertainment, so I clicked into that. Radio Nigeria, Ikoyi happened to be the main station at that time before it was moved to Abuja. I was the only female voice available for a 30-minute slot. I played the part of ‘Mama Caro’. Collins Onomo acted as ‘Papa Caro’ and that show shot me into limelight. We were the pioneers of Stand-up comedy. All through this period, I was still under the library but everyone knew my skills were accurate for the job.

CHALLENGES

I did not encounter difficulties in learning the robes of the job because it was a calling. I found myself interested in everything and had no regrets whatsoever, aside from experiencing traffic daily on the way to the office, taking care of the home front, all was okay for me.

Unlike nowadays where people do not adhere to norms and tradition of the broadcasting profession. In our days, we had to strictly follow the laws and procedures guiding the profession particularly in studio management and that wasn’t easy.

I think I can mention those as some of the challenges we faced. We produced a lot of programs that were staged. At that time, one had to record close to ten programs in a week and I got acquainted with the rudiments surrounding the job.

However, when I got married, the challenge of being a housewife and a job-loving individual were great but I owe it all to God and discipline. I had to cut my coat according to my cloth and stayed away from those kind of friends that would put you in trouble. My husband is a very understanding person and we were able to manage ourselves.

WHAT ELSE

Broadcasting took the whole of me that I had little or no time to think about anything else. Today, I find it difficult to engage in any job outside broadcasting because it is my life. However, no aspect of my life conflicted with my passion as I made a good blend in managing my life and profession. When I look back now at those trying times on the job l give thanks to God.

ABOUT THE SHOW, I beg una

The programme I beg una, my own baby would be clocking twenty years in October. As a producer, you call up ideas and at that particular time, we saw people who were dedicated to the job. We tried to create an avenue to assemble minds and stop irrational attitudes which were the bane of the profession. To curb the abnormalities in the society, we had to employ the media and create a programme that addresses issues. I made the suggestion and presented it in a raw format to call attention.

People could call into the program, report basically anything that needed to be addressed and the official language chosen was vernacular (pidgin) because everyone understands it. The program was a ‘’30 minutes” slot, but was extended a day after because of it’s popularity. We received about 30 phone calls or more on daily basis. Legislators and government officials became part of the show.

When the programme started gaining momentum, it was a dream come true for me and it is still running till date. The Good, the Bad, the Ugly and the Most Beautiful tagged my show, to distinguish myself I became ‘The only federal government certified Japanese in Nigeria’ because my surname is Osaka (like the Japanese brand) that alone attracted more loyalists.

OPEN DOORS

As a woman, it has not been easy. Getting recognition was a challenge. I thank God my name has come to stay now. I am indeed grateful for my family background. The Nigerian Institute of Journalism in 2013 honoured me with an award because of the good name I had built over the years. I have spent 35 years and still counting in broadcasting and nothing has made me much happier.

My Family

I am blessed with four children, three girls and a boy. I almost had my last baby in the studio. The children are all doing well in their respective endeavours. One of them took after me as she is currently working as a broadcaster with the voice of Nigeria(VOA). She is happily married and blessed with a child. So that makes me a grandmother. My first daughter is doing well in her job. Recently, she surprised me with a car gift. However, I must thank my husband for all the support and the encouragement over these years. He is a darling in a million.