Mo Abudu: A woman and her lofty dreams

By Atim Nkpubre

Mosunmola Abudu, popularly known as Mo Abudu, needs no introduction in this part of the world. She is a talk show host, television producer, media personality, human resources management consultant and entrepreneur. She wears many interesting caps and appears quite comfortable donning them all, to the admiration of many.
On Monday, the 1st day of July, 2013 Mo ushered in the second half of year 2013 in grand style with the historic launch of Ebony Life TV on DSTV Channel 165! And with a programme line up that is as interesting as it is captivating, promises to deliver a fresh new energy and perspective to audiences across East, West and Central Africa. I have caught a glimpse of “Sistaz” and “The Spot” on the much talked about channel and was I impressed
According to a release published on the Website of the newly launched television station, “With the tagline “Live the Ebony Life”, the channel is both inspirational and aspirational, celebrating style and success while simultaneously motivating audiences to dream and dream big. Glossy, polished and sophisticated, the EL experience puts African superstars such as Kate Henshaw-Nuttal, Uche Jombo Rita Dominic, Funke Akindele, Tiwa Savage and Banky W. on a line-up that also features Latoya Jackson, Taye Diggs, Damon Wayons and Sherri Shepherd.
Homegrown programming on the channel includes the glamourous flagship talk-show Moments with Mo. This time round, the always engaging Mo is joined by two brand new co-hosts, whose selection during an intense search is also chronicled on the dramatic, must-watch reality show, Mo’s Search.
Viewers can also look out for the glitzy EL Now, the daily entertainment news show featuring the hottest global black news, the latest celebrity buzz, African success stories and all things ‘Africana cool’ across music, movies, TV, fashion, beauty, design and the arts.
Other programs created specifically for EbonyLife TV audiences include Screen Divas, where Nollywood Queens Kate, Uche, Funke and Rita combine their star power to produce the short film ‘New Horizon’ tackling the issue of domestic abuse. Then make a date to watch the fascinating Fattening Room in which six beautiful, feisty modern women from Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Botswana and Kenya embark on a journey of self-discovery by revisiting the legacies of Efik tradition.
Meanwhile the cultures and traditions of Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and America intersect in the appealing Culture Connects, where each episode takes audiences on a cultural journey to explore the values that both continents hold dear.
And that’s not all…look out for the seasonal, fashion forward EL Runway, the hilarious sitcom Ojo’s in D’ House, the youthful ensemble talk show The Spot, the romance and relationship themed Love Lounge, the fun and ‘captured on camera’ lives of the Sistaz and the talent-focused In My Shoes, which tracks a day in the life of Africa’s top personalities, providing an intimate look at the life of the real people behind the celebrity names.
From beyond Africa, EbonyLife TV has sourced some of the boldest content available including the sensational The Love Triangle, laugh out loud quiz show The Newlywed Game, hot and hip Ocean’s Models, the wedding fashion search Keasha’s Perfect Dress, Damon Wayans’ hit sitcom My Wife and Kids and the humorous British sketch comedy show Little Miss Jocelyn.
Dramas on the channel include the Taye Diggs led ‘legal eagle meets new dad’ story of Kevin Hill and the emotional, evocative police drama Lincoln Heights.

Plus special highlights to look forward to are the sitcoms Mr. Box Office where a Hollywood A-lister heads to South Central LA to serve out his community service as a high school English teacher; The First Family that follows the story of William Johnson, the 45th President of the United States and the second African-American elected to the office and Life with LaToya where fans can enter the outrageous world of LaToya Jackson; the unpredictable wildcard from one of showbiz’s most famous families.
Commenting on the channel’s launch, EbonyLife TV founder and CEO Mo Abudu says, “”On behalf of the entire EbonyLife TV team, I want to express the greatest delight that this dream has finally become an amazing reality. We have spent years and months putting some of the brightest minds together on an exciting mission to build Africa’s first Global Black Entertainment Network focused on the continent’s most important demographic, the youth, aged 18 to 34. We are even more excited that we have created a channel that stands on the same pedestal as any international brand. We urge African audiences to tune in and live the Ebony Life.”
Mosunmola Abudu was born on September 11 1964, and educated at Fiwasaye Girls Grammar School Akure, Hammersmith County Secondary School, The Ridgeway School, West Kent College, MidKent College and the University of Westminster, London.
Armed with a Master’s Degree in HR Management, Abudu started off her career in the UK as a recruitment consultant in 1987. She went on to work for the Starform Group, managing the Corporate Credit Management Exhibition from 1990 to 1992.
In 1993 she joined Arthur Andersen for Esso Exploration & Production Nigeria Limited (now ExxonMobil) to head their Human Resources and Training unit. Seven years later, she left to establish a privately owned specialist human resources development company, Vic Lawrence & Associates Limited (popularly known as VLA).
While running VLA, Abudu developed an executive training centre at the Protea Hotel, Oakwood Park, Lagos.
All this time, the desire to do more for her beloved Africa, and showcase her country and continent in a positive light, burned deep within Mo, and in 2006, Moments with Mo made a grand entrance.
Moments…
After weeks of high anticipation, viewers were excited to see the debut episode of ‘Moments with Mo’; Mo Abudu’s new talk show aimed at Africans aged 18-34, on Mnet. The episode had two fabulous guests; ex-footballer/Deal or No Deal Presenter, John Fashanu & JJ Okocha’s wife, Nkechi. John told really nice stories about the ups & downs of life as a successful footballer, marriage, as well as his childhood years in the UK. Nkechi, on the other hand, discussed the paparazzi, desperate girls constantly chasing her husband, as well as the interesting way she & JJ had met.
A member of the British Psychological Society, qualified in occupational and personality testing, Mo was aware that her personality wasn’t a bubbly one. Yet, as she began to relax and ease into her new role as talk show host, and infuse it with her genuine passion to better the lives of others, viewers found that her “serious business person” image ceased to matter. What the show lacked in animation and effervescence, it more than made up for in depth and content.
Her commitment to excellence meant not only superb technical quality and a visually appealing set with its nice background, cosy sofas and classy rug, but enlightening topics and worthy guests including President Olusegun Obasanjo, Governor Babatunde Fashola, Onyeka Onwenu and Hilary Rodham Clinton. Moments with Mo was a success! Still, Mo yearned to put more of what Africa had to offer on display.
The Debaters
Driven by her zeal to “give Africa a voice”, Mo created a reality TV show promoting oratory skills; “The Debaters”- just the right forum for participants who felt passionate about certain issues within the society and had been waiting for the perfect media to loudly and convincingly air their views. Funded by Guaranty Trust Bank, the first-of-its-kind Nigerian show launched on 3 October 2009, and was well received by viewers.
Inspire Africa Foundation
Mo Abudu did not believe it was enough to just talk; she wanted to walk the walk and invest in people. To this end, she founded the Inspire Africa Foundation, a human investment arm of Inspire Africa Ltd., registering it as a non-profit organization focused on raising funds to implement society-transforming initiatives.
In January 2009, the Inspire Africa Foundation alongside Moments with Mo, the Lagos State Government and UNICEF, held a telethon and a charity benefit concert with the theme “Rock with a Conscience”. Donations from the concert went towards the protection of street children, and on the 5th of December that same year, the Foundation opened a charity store branded “The Designers Outlet for Charity”, in Lagos, Nigeria. Soon after, the foundation set to work developing a children’s shelter called “The Harbour”.
As Executive Producer of Debaters, and Executive Producer and Host of Moments with Mo, the first syndicated daily talk show on African regional television, it appeared that Mo had arrived, and could now rest on her oars. After all, her shows were broadcast in dozens of countries across the continent in a primetime slot. Impressive! 
But no; Africa’s voice was not yet loud enough for Mo.

 Ebony Life…

If there’s anything that Moments with Mo taught Mosunmola Abudu, it is the value of partnership. So when she visited Tinapa and found a state-of-the-art studio with never-before-used equipment, the baby in Mo’s womb leaped for joy and she immediately reached out to potential partners. Thankfully, she found them in the government of Cross River State, and in MTN and Diamond Bank; sponsors who had stood steadfastly by her since the early days of Moments with Mo.
She knew Africa would demand quality programming- from lifestyle through health, culture, politics, entertainment, tradition, to music and relationships- and she could not afford to disappoint. It would necessitate commitment. It would call for the best hands in the Television Industry. It would require zero tolerance for mediocrity. Then again, it would create dozens of jobs, make history, and give Africa the voice Mo Abudu so longed for her to have”.
Congrats Mo. Truly, Life is about Moments.