Stars Storm Alex Okosi’s Send-off Lagos Party
Again, the magnificent The Wings Tower along Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island, Lagos came alive on Saturday, February 8, during a send-off party organised in honour of Alex Okosi, the outgoing Executive Vice President and Managing Director of ViacomCBS Networks Africa and BET International.
At the well-attended event, associates and family members of Okosi gathered to celebrate him for his significant contributions in Reimagining Africa and transforming the media and entertainment industry, since he took up the mantle of leadership on the continent 15 years ago.
It will be recalled that from the moment Okosi set foot on MTV Networks in New York as an intern, the then fresh Economics graduate knew he wanted to take the TV station to Africa. And that he did, less than a decade later.
Detailing his journey from an Intern in 1998 to Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Okosi who is moving to YouTube EMEA to take on a new role said: “What began as a vision and a passion 15 years ago has been realised even beyond my initial expectations when we first pressed play to 2Face’s African Queen in February 2005.
“It’s taken a number of committed and hard-working people over the years to bring this dream to life and I’m immensely grateful for the industry trust and support as we forge forward to achieve the impossible.”
The Nigerian-born United Stateseducated media stalwart went on to chronicle his journey on launching MTV’s 100th channel in Africa to traversing the challenges and highlighting the achievements that have contributed to his Africa Reimagined vision.
Okosi further extended his gratitude to his fellow colleagues, industry friends and guests for joining in the celebration and send -off, saying “I am truly comforted by knowing that we have a team that can take on the task ahead with vigour and experience to carve a unique space together with you in ViacomCBS and African history.
“You all have the opportunity and power to continue to drive change, to create opportunities for our youths, the industry and our continent.”
Okosi, since launching MTV Base in 2005, has spearheaded the development of the ViacomCBS Networks business on the continent, which now delivers more channels to Africa than any other international network – reaching 100 million viewers in 48 territories across MTV, MTV base, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and BET.
He bade ViacomCBS bye after almost two decades of working in different capacities, including BET International at the global company.
Okosi is a graduate of St Michael’s College, Vermont, where he graduated magna cum laude with a double major in Business Administration and Economics; an award winner of the Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2013; an All Africa Business Leader Award Finalist in 2018, and an honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Marketing of Nigeria in 2019.
In attendance at the evening hosted by popular media personality and founder of Thisday and Arise TV, Prince Nduka Obaigbena; were founder, Silverbird Group, Ben Murray-Bruce; Tolu ‘Toolz’ OniruDemuren, ace comedian, Bovi.
Also in attendance were actresses Rita Dominic, Nse Ikpe-Etim; stand-up comedian Basketmouth; singers Flavour, D’banj, 2Baba, Ice Prince, Flavour, Falz, Dr Sid, 9ice, among others.