RONKE APAMPA: From catwalk model to screen idol

By David Ajiboye

Ronke Apampa

Ronke Apampa is the presenter and co-producer of the popular Black Variety Show on OBE TV (Sky Channel 159) in the United Kingdom. The show is the favourite television programme for Nigerian and African lifestyle, fashion and arts outside Africa. Broadcast to over two million homes across Europe. Ronke, at just over 20 years old, has become a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry.

Born in Ibadan Nigeria, to a Barrister father and a mother who's a registered nurse, Ronke is the second of four children (with two brothers and one sister). A brilliant student from her Primary school days, Ronke finished High school at the age of 14. Her career started in Nigeria as a young catwalk model and later as a co-host on a teen oriented television programme on Lagos Television. She also had her own column in a Lagos newspaper while studying journalism.

Standing at six feet tall, Ronke’s modelling took her to Paris for the Nigerian Fashion Show and on her return decided to try television presenting as a career. She soon began featuring in a number of high profile fashion shows such as the St Moritz Style collection showcase in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja, and the Nigeria Fashion Show which took her from Lagos to Abuja, and later on to Paris, France.
Her elegance, poise and professionalism on the runway has earned her, over the years, numerous call ups by such prominent designers in Nigeria, the rest of Africa and the United Kingdom including household names such as Mon Ami, Frank Osodi, Zizi, Nobel, Jimi Delaja, Adebayo Jones, Yemi Osunkoya and recently Gureje New York.

Ronke Apampa has also been featured in, and on the cover of, magazines such as Aspire, Mimi, Guardian Newspaper supplement, Leadership & Lifestyle, Deeply and True Love West Africa.

She travelled to London as a presenter on a show about Nigerians living in London and later got signed to the production and management company, R70 World as the presenter of the programme Out and About on BEN TV. Because of her warmth and charm on the show, and the unmistakable realness in her unique interview approach, Ronke soon became a not-to-be-missed feature every Saturday afternoon as the presenter of the Black Variety Show, a laid back entertainment programme for people of all ages broadcast live from the heart of London.

The Black Variety Show gave Ronke the exposure that has now taken her to new heights, appearing on many magazine covers and well sought after for hosting events and photo shoots by African designers. She has interviewed some of the world’s biggest stars in America and has become a recognisable face at Fashion Weeks around the world.

A recent graduate of Law and a constant traveller to high profile events to record special features for her show, Ronke took her career to another level last week when staged a fashion show in Nigeria called Stars On The Runway to help raise funds for charity.

An Aquarian, Ronke is mother to a lovely daughter and loves to watch Nigerian films in her spare time.

FIBAN honours publisher

By David Ajiboye

 
(L-R) President, Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN),
Ejike Asiegbu discussing with Kanayo O. Kanayo

The Executive Editor, Policy Magazine Lagos, Chief Akeeb Adekunle Alabi, has been honoured by Freelance and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (FIBAN), Iwo zone.

FIBAN at a well attended ceremony at Iwo City Hall; Iwo installed Adekunle Alabi as the Grand Commander of the Media, alongside the Ikonifun born Politician, Prince Samuel Oyewole (Romor) whole the ace Fuji singer, Atanda Fadaka was also not left out of the honours roll call. Speaking at the occasion, the FIBAN Zonal Chairman (Iwo), Prince Leke Akanbi described Kunle Alabi as a very good and fear less journalist and his installation was sequal to his commitment and contribution towards the growth of broadcasting industry in the country.

In his own remark, the ace journalist, ‘Kunle Alabi thanked the organisers of the ceremony for the honour done to him and for their unflinching support to the growth and development of broadcasting industry. He promised to be more relevant in the day to day affairs of the association saying any journalist, who aspires to grow in Nigeria, cannot but do with the radio and television presenters.