MTV Base Meets with MTN, a popular motivational youth empowerment and mentorship initiative and multimedia campaign that connects African youths with leaders,  returns to television screens across Africa, this August, with the promise of providing more excitements for viewers across the continent.

Sponsored by one of the continent’s popular mobile operators, MTN, the initiative which made its debut in 2011, would, according to the organisers, feature an exciting and varied line-up of interviewees, including leading figures from the fields of entertainment, politics, fashion and sports, hand picked to inspire African youths to fulfil their full potential.

Expected to feature in this edition of the show is the Senegalese-American R&B and Hip Hop artisit, Akon. Other famous individuals such as Nigeria’s former president, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and Togolese International soccer star and Manchester City striker, Emmanuel Adebayor, are also expected to be guests at the show.

In each of these episodes, the continent’s ambitious youths throw probing questions to high-profile ‘thought leaders’ about issues close to their hearts, in an intimate and informal environment, with no question regarded as off-limits.

Speaking on behalf of MTV Base, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks Africa, Alex Okosi, stated that it had become imperative for brands to provide strong role models, heroes and heroines in today’s increasingly competitive business and economic environment.

“MTV Base Meets…with MTN aims to inspire and motivate young Africans to understand that they are key drivers in ensuring a brighter future for our continent,” he stated.

Executive, Group Marketing, MTN, Jennifer Roberti, explained that the  brand decided to throw its weight behind the initiative last year at a time when there was a real need to bring youth and leaders together in open dialogue and debate.

In his remarks, the General Manager, Consumer Marketing, MTN Nigeria, Kola Oyeyemi, described the initiative as a bridge for a growing segment of Africa’s population to connect with decision makers through dialogue.

“MTN is investing in this initiative with the hope of empowering African youth by bringing them together with notable leaders both within and outside the continent. This is another way that MTN is enriching lives, this time around by linking the youth with key influencers who will inspire them to reach for greater heights,” he argued.