Known for his quick humour and wittiness, which earned him the nickname ‘Wild Child’ on the radio, IK Osakioduwa has cemented his status as a media personality like no other. Let’s meet the host of the 7th Edition of the AMVCA.
Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa, (yes, his name is not Ikechukwu) simply known as IK, is a Nigerian host and on-air personality, well known for his work with Rhythm 93.7 FM as a presenter and Big Brother Africa as a host. He’s hosted Big Brother Africa for 6 consecutive seasons since the fourth season after replacing Kabelo “K.B.” Ngakane. He says, “BBA was the first show I’d done of this magnitude, it’s amazing to be in 40-million homes across Africa all at once. At first, it’s super intimidating, but you get used to it before the end of the season,”.
His Consecutive Hosting Feat
It is noteworthy that IK has been the only male host of the AMVCA, and has been a constant since the conception of the award show in 2013. He has also hosted the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria pageant for 5 years consecutively, Rhythm Unplugged (4 years consecutively), Comedy Club: Live in Lagos (4 years consecutively) and The Voice Nigeria (2 years consecutively). He has hosted other shows like Mnet’s Studio 53 & Temptation Nigeria.
Loving His Family
It’s no secret how much IK adores Olohije Osakioduwa, who he got married to on October 2008 after four years of friendship and a year of dating. They have 2 children, and speaking about his wife with The Expatriate Magazine, “Olo was the only friend who seemed to get me and did not want to change me…”. In another interview in 2018, he says “I’ve kept it real with myself… and I’ve found someone to keep it real with me.”
His Tenacity to Radio
Radio didn’t come easy for IK Osakioduwa. In an interview in 2018, he recounts his rocky start on radio. Initially, the station rejected him but persistence won out. “They got sick of me; I literally stayed there for 3 months. I would go and come every morning, sit down in the lobby. I stayed in the reception for 3 months. People come and ask me for directions, sometimes the receptionist would leave her desk and just, you know, in case anybody comes. Eventually, they had an opening and they hired me”. He left Rhythm FM in 2019, logging 18 years of radio experience, hosting all the shows at one time or another.
His Legacy
He is known for putting his best in everything. He says, “You have to leave something for the generation coming behind you… I don’t want my son to watch a show I did and say, wow daddy was wack, I want him to say this was amazing during its time.” He also leads a seminar series, The IK Talks, a platform for would-be presenters, public speakers and MCs to tap into his expertise. “I think I’m a kingmaker… my gift is to find people who do what I do and help them to shine as well”.
IK Osakioduwa has achieved continental acclaim as one of Africa’s finest presenters and has risen to produce and host TV shows like Highlites with IK which ran for 3 seasons and now Comedy Nites, a Stand-up Comedy show still in its first season.
Catch IK at the 7th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards which will hold at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos on Saturday, 14 March and will be broadcast live on all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv.