#BBNaija: Aye or Nay

By Adewale Momoh

Since the commencement of the beaming of the Big Brother Naija - See Gobe by multichoice in the past weeks to various African homes, there have been knocks and kudos as regards the scope of the programme depending on which part of the divide one is.

And as expected, some Nigerians have been trolling on the social media to demand the educational benefits and the morality behind the concept of the game which its winner would emerged in few hours time with a cash prize of N25million naira and a SUV. And I'm kind of wondering, where have Nigerians been in last 11 weeks since the programme started.

And may I remind that majority of us immediately raised the issue of power situation as well as other militating factors in the country when the Information Minister, Lai Mohammed, asked why the program's location must be South Africa considering the "Naija" tag.

For some, the programme is all about indecency, immorality, nudity, exhibition of societal decadence, obscenity, which any sane mind must totally refrain from.... And I asked myself, is BBNaija not RATED 18? The last time I checked, the parental lock of the particular channel is still functional "abi"? DSTV is still a pay TV and not terrestrial. So, why the hue and cry? There are choices here.

Also, In the last couple of days, the financial involvement of Nigerians in the programme has been flying around with the argument that no financial benefits is accruing to viewers but a rip off and that the ultimate prize for the last man standing is a like a drop in the ocean.

The trending calculation goes thus:

"Big Brother Naija records 11Million votes...
-1vote = 30naira...
-11,000,000 X 30 = N330,000,000 Million...
-And the winner goes home with 25Million and SUV."

Yes, it's real. A whopping N330, 000,000 from 11million votes for just a show that teaches nothing but immorality? Why didn't the organizers channel their resources into academics? The questions goes on and on.... To be candid, It's all about business idea, hence the thrive. And everyone's prayer is "Oluwa bless me eee" and to hit the gold mine while we pray for the society to be emotionally attached to our products.

It's also pertinent to ask ourselves why are celebrities financially and selflessly rooting as well as campaigning for their preferred housemates? Why are businessmen encouraging Nigerians to vote with mouthwatering incentives to the highest voter? Even state governments nko? .... what about the endorsement deals waiting for the housemates by multinational companies( winner or no winner). Everyone wants to tap into the made brand to get some additional "mulla" out of it. "All na investment opportunity for sharp minds". I hope names such as Kevin, Uti, Karen, Bayo, Faniran.....still ring a bell.

As for the monies realized, let's not forget that after the prize money and the SUV must have been cuffed out it should be noted that the program is all about 24hrs TV production which cost a lot. Aside the 29 hi-tech cameras and microphone dotting the house, there are also production guys who also eat and wear clothes daily as well as other logistics behind the scenes.

Celebrities, Artists and DJs from Naija are being flown in every week for performance including the families of the contestants and frankly all these cost money.

Looking at the business opportunity the program might have created for youths during its duration, how much profits do you think the recharge card sellers in the location where the contestants supporters resides must have made? What about the various materials supporters of each of the housemates usually adorn themselves with and sometimes freely distribute.... Such as branded clothings, facecaps, wristbands, branded vehicles and a host of others.

Even taking a deeper look into the program, one would realized that the activities of the housemates is no doubt the reflection our daily lifestyle as humans, which is full of deceit, betrayal, backstabbing, cheating, pretence.... . But the difference is that they are being watched daily by billions of people no thanks to the 29 cameras that's made their regimented lives unhidden.

For example: there are countless replica of TTT around us that without hesitation will hide there marital status and as well denied their family, all because of a side chick and money.

There are millions of Kemen who would fall cheaply for the "kitten" without seeking the consent of the kitten's owner and in the process pays the price of humiliation.

The likes of Tboss doesn't give a damn about friendship, once you cross their path you automatically become the next in line to be sacrificed ... Ask Miyonse.

Right now there's a Bisola somewhere with the thought of finally getting a "Mr. Right" invested all her time, money, emotions in a fruitless relationship with another woman's husband unknowingly.

Sure, somewhere, somehow we must have seen a Gifty who wants to be seen as posh and Behind forgetting that lies and pretence doesn't fly much.

Jon and Eze perfectly fits into those without ambitions and no goals, but instead of focusing on our aim we are always wasting energy and time hating such people who are not in anyway competing with us. Debbie-Rise saw both of them as threat and in the process wasted her nomination slot on Jon and Eze who are not in contest with her.

In our society, there is an Efe who believes that one's background shouldn't dictate the pace of success and always quick to tell anyone who cares to listen about his humble and poor family. He's also wasted no time in exhibiting his realness, with hope that through that, someday grace and luck will beam on him.

In some lines of Ayo Tosin's "Lesson from Big Brother Nigeria" he wrote:

"Beyond the prize money, the entertainment value and the tolerant ability to live with others, what you make out of the exposure after the show is entirely up to you. Big Brother Naija is a platform, it is not a passport. It is a visa, you require real talent, effort and consistent post-show hardwork to purchase the ticket. Life itself is a game, play to win..."

After all, Big Brother Naija is not a ruse.

Adewale Momoh is a journalist, blogger and a writer

adewalemomoh@gmail.com