Ogunleye Ayanfeoluwa Ebenezer, popularly known as ‘The Beloved MC,’ hails from Itaji, Ekiti State. A graduate of Botany from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, discovered his passion for event hosting after realizing, in his words, “nobody wants a bad event.” Driven by a desire to create exceptional experiences for social and corporate gatherings across Nigeria, he transitioned into the world of event hosting. In this insightful interview with ADERONKE ADESANYA, he delves into the pivotal roles MCs play in entertainment, event planning, culture and society.
How and when did your journey as event MC start?
I started event hosting when I was in the university. I realized I love organizing and bringing people together. Soon after I decided to start, as an undergraduate, a senior colleague Yemi Kings asked that I host a Final Year Brethren Dinner on campus which I aced, and from there, I began to see myself as an event host. The rest, they say, is history. It was an opportunity that I looked forward to, and by 2022, I branded my business professionally. Aside from the passion for talking and helping guests create lovely moments, it was paying the bills, so that was how I was able to make the decision.
Did it seem like a promising path?
Sincerely, it wasn’t an easy decision, however I was happy making the decision. It wasn’t easy because when I was officially going professional, I didn’t have gigs on the line, so leaving my banking Job at Guaranty Trust Bank as a Contact Centre Agent to a world of unknown was a bit scary but I was happy I was finally going to be doing something I loved full time, without holding back.
How does your job inspire you?
The MC has the power of connecting people and creating unforgettable experiences. Hosting events allows me to combine my passion with community-building, making every event a memorable one. As I honed my skills, I realized the impact the MC can have on an event’s success and the memories created, seeing people come together from different cultures, united by a shared experience, witnessing moments of joy, surprise, and inspiration. There is the creative challenge of crafting unique, engaging content, meeting individuals and sharing their stories, too. I am continuously learning and improving my craft by these. I get fulfilled all the time.
What makes you stand out as an MC?
I am an energy booster. My charisma energizes the crowd, creating a contagious atmosphere. I also bridge the gap between the audience and the DJ/band and can come up with ideas to adapt to unexpected moments with ease. So, I bring my creativity and attention to details to come up with interesting narratives that engage my audience.
Is social media significant in that memorable experiences creation?
Social media has played a huge role in making a lot of unpopular jobs go viral, in the most interesting manner. I believe there are a lot of people out there with the talent of talking and engaging an audience. However, when they come across others doing it on social media and making so much impact with it, they get interested and can start up as well. So, social media is the biggest influencer.
With the high inflation rate in Nigeria in recent months, how are you staying on top of the financial situation and making it affordable for clients?
I will say we all can see and feel the effect of the high inflation rate in the county. Many don’t have a choice but to increase service prices. However, I think this will affect demand, so many have introduced discounts and packages to help clients pick what suits their budget. Some provide additional services such as social media promotion, music selection/playlist creation, content creation, concept creation, some even help with scriptwriting to justify their prices. I am a brand specialist for my clients too. At the end of the day, it’s a WIN-WIN situation for both parties where clients can still book for services and MCs too don’t feel shortchanged.
Would you say Nigeria is a fertile ground for MCs then?
Nobody wants a bad event. I believe a lot of people are coming to realize the impact of having a professional event host handle their events because most clients now have goals for their events. Of course, only a professional is most likely to handle the event process well. I don’t think the Nigeria clime needs much convincing.
How do you seamlessly work with other professionals at events?
You have posts across your social platforms that show you share the stage with others… As much as I’ve fallen into the temptation to say the MC is the life of the party, I would just say they all co-exist to bring the best out of an event. However, the MC is the central figure connecting the audience and guiding the event.
Do you have public figures you look up to in the industry?
There are a lot of people to look up to in the entertainment and event hosting industry such as Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, TẹjuBabyFace l, Ebuka Obi, IK, Tee A, Damolaismyname, Ajele, Dayoice, Mojibade Show, Joyce Daniels, Olive Emodi, Nancy Isime, and more.
Are all you MCs extroverted—that might be a notion, or there are just special skills you must possess?
No, not all MCs are extroverted. Many are not full-blown Sanguine. I’m not even one. You don’t have to be extroverted to be a professional MC, you need to be trained to be one. It could be an added advantage for an MC for that not the crux of being a professional host. It is about building relationships, understanding clients’ vision and tailoring your approach to meet their unique needs, as well as ensuring seamless execution. Dealing with clients before, during and after events is an interesting, rewarding and dynamic experience also. Clear communication, a show of empathy and core professionalism should guide one’s approach since it is about aiming to exceed the clients’ expectations and building a lasting relationship with them.
After all events, at my end, I ensure there is an opportunity to reflect, gather feedback, and celebrate successes together with my clients.
and then