EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MANNIE OF COOL FM 96.9

My interview with one of the Greatest O.A.P. He is one of the most sought after voice over artiste, Radio and TV Presenter and he has won international awards. He is MANNIE in an exclusive interview with Sleekmodupe. He bares it all.

QUESTION 1

Tell us more about your GOOD MORNING NIGERIA SHOW, MANNIE AND THE ANGELS and all the shows you run at Cool Fm 96.9. You were given an award in 2014 for The most outstanding show in THE NIGERIAN BROADCASTERS MERIT AWARDS.

MANNIE
The Good Morning Nigeria show runs every week day from 5am to 10am; I have anchored it from 2008 till date. It’s a family oriented fun filled show with all kinds of programs with giveaways and phone calls. The core value is laughter, so we can make a lot of people laugh and stay glued. Mannie and the Angels was created by my boss Amin Moussalli, he wanted a show that had a theme, a show with a boss and his secret agents, just like the series Charlie’s Angels in the 70’s/80’s and it worked! So Mannie is the boss, the angels are the agents carrying out duties. The show got it's first major award in 2014.


QUESTION 2
You have gotten whole lots of accolades and awards as a Seasoned Presenter, Voice Over-Artist, Jingle Producer for brands with Cocoa-Cola, Chicken Republic, Mouka and several banks. How has that shaped your life as a professionally known personality?

MANNIE
Honestly, I wasn’t known in public for that, just media agencies I worked for and that was how I got my job at Cool Fm, as a producer. I produced a large number of jingles and adverts to survive, pay rent and feed my family members. But my knowledge of production helped give my radio show a style that is unrivalled.


QUESTION 3
You are currently the host of Africa’s Premier Food Show, KNORR QUEST ON AFRICA MAGIC ON DSTV. How have you been able to present the show without a projector and doing a marvelous job?

MANNIE
I am so lucky to be the host of Knorr Taste Quest for two seasons. I guess I was just born to do things. The Knorr team is amazing, full of talent and tenacity, there isn’t a food show like that on the continent. A lot of people who watch think I am reading from a teleprompt but I’m not! I have to memorize a five page script every week and put my own persona into it. I guess the organizers wanted a woman this time so it’s fine.

QUESTION 4
You are a March guy, WOW! So what’s cooking with your Birthday?


MANNIE
I guess the usual; l have friends over, grill and drinks, home style. I also love to stop by an orphanage and share some love, giveaway gifts on my show too.


QUESTION 5
You have been married to your pretty wife Grace for a while now and have two (2) lovely kids, so as a ladies’ man how have you been able to handle your female fans.

MANNIE
It’s never easy till date. I am constantly under pressure. Nigerian girls are fine, they don’t want to know if you are married or not. If They want you, you need Jesus to escape. My wife has been solid throughout. My kids are diamonds, so I try to be the best I can and not ruin it all.


QUESTION 6
You are crazy about your wife Grace tell us more about your love story?

MANNIE
God gave her to me. I met her when I had nothing and she knew I had nothing. She knew I had girlfriends; she wanted to know if I would change. She honestly put my life together.


QUESTION 7
You are from Akwa Ibom and your real name is Emmauel Essien, tell us how growing up was like?

MANNIE
I grew up in Bauchi state, I was born in Jos, I grew up with everything a child would want. Sometime in my teen’s life, things got really hard as my parents were no longer rich. That caused me to go into all kinds of creative stuff to cater for my needs. Even gaining acceptance was hard because I went to Federal Government College so I was a minority. My mum called me Emmanie, so I took out the first two letters and got MANNIE.




QUESTION 8
WOW! you won Favourite On Air Personality for Hollywood Nickelodeon Kids Choice award in USA, FOR BEST Nigerian on air personality, how did you feel receiving the award?

MANNIE
I was on the moon, such an award doesn’t come easy or every day. I won by 47% of the votes!!! I guess people just wanted me to win. I love children and I do have a kiddies radio show that has run for over 7 years. I received the award in Hollywood, at the prestigious Nickelodeon Kids choice awards 2015 and I must say it was an experience of a life time. Meeting celebrities from around the world, nothing beats that.


QUESTION 9
You just launched a BOOK, Please your fans wants to know more about your book, what it’s all about?

MANNIE
It’s an autobiography about my life. So I let out lots of secrets. You can buy it, go to www.thewhatalifebook.com it’s the first ‘’listen and read combo’’ meaning you can actually listen to the audio content while reading the book. Published by Author House USA, the 10th biggest publishing house in the world.


QUESTION 10
You are a versatile Artist, you are also an actor apart from being a very good presenter, you acted JESUS CHRIST THE SUPERSTAR, please give us more details into this other aspect of your life.

MANNIE
Hmmmmm. I love art and theatre, I love vocally challenging art. And I was casted out of dozens for the role of JUDAS. It was weeks of painful rehearsals and trials. But it was worth it.


QUESTION 11
What was the most challenging moment in your life that made you to cry?

MANNIE
Losing out on the competition in the first ever project fame 2004 in south Africa. I was the 17th person to be eliminated from the house.


QUESTION 12
Finally so whets your advice for upcoming talented presenters, since every last Thursday of the month you host the Naija Underground Talent, a lot of talent need help which way forward for them from your own life experience?

MANNIE
I guess artistes need to keep it real. Don’t copy to be relevant, be yourself. Be humble, It’s not for man, it’s for God. Write music all the time. Learn to play one instrument it may pay bills. Pray. Never neglect the power of the media. Read anytime you can. Take a risk, that’s what the greats where known for.


Buy my book…lolzzz