‘Okirika’ revamped as Nollywood stars, StarTimes collaborate on new comedy series

Okirika, that rowdy, yet dramatic and sometimes hilarious market for used wears, will be turned into a comedy series produced by Muka Ray and sponsored by the entertainment platform, StarTimes.

With a prominent cast lined up for the comedy series, drawn from social media comedians and mainstream actors, the storyline is written to tickle the laughter sensory of viewers, while passing a moral message.

The cast, among which were Iyabo Ojo, Mr Macaroni, Zicsaloma, Muka Ray, Jide Kosoko, Olaiya Igwe, Yinka Quadri, Binta Ayo-Mogaji, Toyin Abraham, Toro Aramide, Yvonne Jegede, Jide ‘Jblaze’ Oyegbile and Kitan Bukola, among others, attended the unveiling recently in Lagos at an event organised by StarTimes.

Also in attendance were the Chief Executive Officer of StarTimes Nigeria, Alex Jian; Content Director, Viki Liu; COO, Tunde Aina; and ED of OMD, Yinka Adebayo and representatives of major Nigerian brands.

The new comedy series will debut soon on ST Nollywood Plus, ST Yoruba, PBO and Wakaati TV, all channels exclusive to StarTimes.

Recently, the pay-TV provider partnered with Femi Adebayo, the producer of ‘Ile Alayo’, to adapt his blockbuster movie into a comedy series.

“Being one of the happiest people on earth, Nigerians have an enviable knack to indulge in what makes them happy. Cinema figures have shown that comedy attracts huge patronage. And comedy skits on social media are widely viewed. We are quite aware of what Nigerians are passionate about. Okirika will surely wow their fantasies,” Muka Ray, producer of Okirika said.

Speaking at the event, the project coordinator for Okirika and Nollywood actress, Iyabo Ojo said, “even though we are going to be entertaining you, taking out the stress, making you laugh and catching fun, Okirika will also be educative.”

The series will also feature Real Warri Pikin, Mercy Eke, Ini Edo, Korede Bello, Woli Agba, Broda Shaggi, Precillia Ojo and many more.

“With Okirika series, StarTimes is demonstrating its commitment to satisfying the growing demands of viewers for local content. I was attracted to the Okirika story the first time I read the script. People have every reason why they buy luxurious stuff but might have all kinds of reasons why they choose to buy Okirika. The story about Okirika is very interesting and it’s what everyone should look out for,” Viki Liu, Content Director, StarTimes Nigeria said.

Alex Jian, CEO, StarTimes Nigeria, promises more investment in Nollywood.

“In July, I promised that Ile Alayo is just our first step, and StarTimes is going to invest more in local content. Today, we are reuniting for our second project this year. We are still on the journey, welcoming new partnerships, investing in fresh ideas, providing a stage for young talents.

“NTA-StarTimes is the TV platform with the widest signal coverage in this country. In Nigeria, we have 67 stations located in 36 states, covering over 90 per cent of Nigeria land and population. In many remote areas where signals of other platforms are hardly accessible, people could still watch StarTimes.

“Therefore, we always feel the responsibility on our shoulders, which fuels the original motivation behind all our efforts: to ensure that StarTimes is bringing the best home entertainment to the vast majority of Nigerian audience, and at the same time, to create maximum value for the industry, business partners and clients.

“And StarTimes is an open platform. It’s not only ours but also yours. So long as your passion is in line with our mission, StarTimes could be your own platform to try out all kinds of crazy ideas. Together, we could achieve more, achieve higher,” Alex said.

 

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

We Have Not Had Water Supply In Months ― Abeokuta Residents

In spite of the huge investment in the water sector by the government and international organisations, water scarcity has grown to become a perennial nightmare for residents of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital. This report x-rays the lives and experiences of residents in getting clean, potable and affordable water amidst the surge of COVID-19 cases in the state…

Selfies, video calls and Chinese documentaries: The things you’ll meet onboard Lagos-Ibadan train

The Lagos-Ibadan railway was inaugurated recently for a full paid operation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation after about a year of free test-run. Our reporter joined the train to and fro Lagos from Ibadan and tells his experience in this report…

[ICYMI] Lekki Shootings: Why We Lied About Our Presence — General Taiwo

The Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry probing the killings at Lekki Toll Gate, on Saturday resumed viewing of the 24hrs footage of the October 20, 2020 shooting of #EndSARS protesters by personnel of the Nigerian Army…

ICYMI: How We Carried Out The 1993 Nigerian Airways Hijack —Ogunderu

On Monday, October 25, 1993, in the heat of June 12 annulment agitations, four Nigerian youngsters, Richard Ajibola Ogunderu, Kabir Adenuga, Benneth Oluwadaisi and Kenny Razak-Lawal, did the unthinkable! They hijacked an Abuja-bound aircraft, the Nigerian Airways airbus A310, and diverted it to Niger Republic. How did they so it? Excerpts…