Recently, Jozi Gist had the privilege of having an exclusive one-on-one interview with one of today’s most resourceful professionals in South Africa, Mrs. Animashaun Olatilewa. She talked candidly about how she plans to make an impact in the African entertainment industry.
Interviewing one of the most innovative minds in media could have been a daunting task. However, Mrs. Animashaun Olatilewa couldn’t have been more open and gracious in sharing her innovative ideas and vision in a candid interview which lasted about 2 hours with questions ranging from her choice of early career, passion for media as a woman and challenges.
She sat across the table from me in her home in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mrs. Olatilewa has an authoritative demeanor that lets you know from the onset that she is a woman who is used to being in charge. She’s hands-on in ensuring smooth running of every aspect of the organisation.
What sparked the idea of a media company?
“Naijozi” has been in existence for quite sometime but it only hatched in 2016, we are typically into media productions. I am passionate about media and desire to bring production to a new level some really with innovative ideas.
Over the years, I have seen so many unoriginal ideas floating around in the industry. I want to bring a new dimension to the production industry.
How did you come by the name “Naijozi”?
I envisioned bringing in talents from different African countries to showcase diversity in African culture, lifestyle, family etc… We also want to showcase a wide range of edutainment and this brought about the name “Naijozi”.
Naijozi is a promising production outfit. Our production is rich in content and we produce in different languages,” She explained.
How do you manage your teaching career and your passion for media?
Teaching is something I love and enjoy doing but media is my first love ‘smile’. Even though I may have to choose my first love at the end but teaching will always be part of me.
Having successfully navigated the transition of being a teacher to running my own media company, I would love to lead a master class on modern business leadership in the near future. For now I want to showcase the power of TV to the world, as a platform to amplify the messages I believe are most valuable.
What should the public expect from this new evolving company?
I want to develop raw new talents, that is my aim. Already Naijozi has discovered talents like Jeremiah Babatunde, Fisayo Animashaun who is like the Eddie Murphy of our generation and a young man by the name of Elderson Abiodun. We are not only restricted to actors and actresses, we will also be looking into upcoming musicians in the near future. We provide Private Media Events coverage as well. What a star need is a platform and this is what we provide.
Since Naijozi’s formation what have you been doing over the years and some of your on-going projects.
We have partnered with Redeem Television and One John 5Four in the past. We are gradually evolving as a company. We are not only educational, we are entertaining as well. Our first project under Naijozi is called Crazy World, filled with originality and talented new faces creating a distinguished fresh factor while addressing so many societal issues with unparalleled humor.
With the formation of such an interesting project, Mrs. Animashaun Olatilewa is undoubtedly an agent of change. This amazing media company will surely play such a crucial role in empowering many with the vital skills, critical thinking and confidence to take the world of media to a new height.