WB Exclusive Interview with Sports Presenter Emmanuel Etim

Having spent just over three years in the sports broadcasting business, Emmanuel Etim can be described as one of the fastest rising journali...

Having spent just over three years in the sports broadcasting business, Emmanuel Etim can be described as one of the fastest rising journalist in the business. 

After obtaining a certificate in Computer Science, he decided to pursue his passion of talking behind the microphone; a journey he started in 2010 and by 2013 he is already regarded as one of the top guns when it comes to sports broadcasting.

He is a member of the popular sports crew  aka “Radio’s Deadliest Gang” on Cool FM and Nigeria info FM led by Femi Obong Daniels. The 6 man and a lady team delivers live games like never before and listeners are always guaranteed fantastic sporting coverage. WB caught up with Mr Etim recently and had a Q&A session with him. Read on and learn as he shares his amazing story and why he prefers Lionel Messi to Cristiano Ronaldo.

Nice having you here sir, so how did it all begin for you?

Its a pleasure. Professionally, it started on the 17^th of Sept 2010. it has always been a passion for me to talk behind the microphone, I've always had this dream of seeing the beauty and power you have when two to three million people are listening to what one man is saying. That was the motivation and also the fact that I actually love doing things behind the scene.

How did you get your break into radio presenting?

I think I am still breaking in *laughs* because I don’t think I have gotten to where I want to be with my current success. I remember starting off as a freelancer like we all do; first had to go observe shows and watch those you naturally want to work with just to see how they do their stuff and pick one or two things to form your won mindset. It wasn't easy because I  had to deal with finance and the stress of waking up as early as 4:00am every morning to make the journey all the way to Mowe-Ibafo from the Mainland where I stay. 

It was very difficult but the inspiration was that I knew what I wanted to do and I had to continue to push myself. I started hanging out with people already in the business to be groomed.

Can you mention some names of these people that helped you?

Certainly! The man who gave me my first break was Mr Femi Fashetire while he was still at Brilla Fm. I went there as an intern from radio Nigeria and he saw me and was like, “I will put you on air”. It was on his show called Livescore with Mathew Edafe. Although I was very nervous, he was adamant and that w
as how it all began.

Along the line, I also had the opportunity to go to radio Nigeria and where I worked with Godwin Enakehna and Charles Anazodo then thereafter teamed up with Biola Kazeem and Bada Akintunde Johnson on their show called Final score on City FM. Thats where I can say I was well nurtured and assured of what I wanted to do. These are the people who were like a ladder for me to climb because they believed so much in me.

Back then as a freelancer, I could do as many as 6 shows every day. My routine was from Mowe-Ibafo where Rainbow Fm is situated then off to Ikeja for LTV before going to Radio Nigeria and City FM.

You are a member of the popular “Femi and the gang” crew, how has your experience been so far working with the gang?

Like I said earlier, before I joined Cool Fm, I was just freelancer and after Nigeria Info station was set up in 2011, Oma Akatugba who is also a huge friend of mine and a friend to Femi Obong Daniels told him about my interest to work with his gang.

The sports crew led by Femi on Nigerian info

So I was invited to come over and with my knowledge of the game I won the heart of Femi. He really did ask me then if I would like to take the job and it was hard to say yes or no because although I wasn't being paid as a freelancer, I was enjoying what I was doing. Secondly I wasn't really sure if it was going to be successful lest I jeopardize what I was already enjoying.

I can remember clearly he (Femi) calling and pestering me to take up the job. Long and short was that I sat down one day and made up my mind that since the freelancing doesn’t fetch me anything, why don’t I just start making money from what I love? Then I called him and joined the team.

I was the penultimate person to join the gang because I met Kelechi Nwou, Olisa, Kelechi Nkoro, Bolarinwa. Fiona was the last member of the crew. She came in 2 weeks after me.

Who’s the funniest member of the team?

It has to be Kelechi Nkoro *laughs* I can also be funny but he is just a clown!

Is broadcasting in line with what you studied in school?

No absolutely not. I studied Computer Science. I actually didn’t want to do it but I liked the way it sounds whenever anyone asks, “What course do you study?” and I reply “Computer Science”. *laughs* It gives you this feeling like you are in a tuxedo!

Apart from sports broadcasting, what else do you love doing?

I love writing. Actually, I think I would have been a writer, or a literature student because that’s like my best passion not even talking. I also love listening to Music and definitely watching Movies

What’s your take on the LMC and the just concluded season?

Well, first on the just concluded season, I think it was a success because It didn’t start when it was supposed to but ended at the right time, that’s just miraculous and also what we usually associated with the league, we did not find it last season; yes there may be patches here and there of cases where we can improve but I think it was generally a success. I mean for the first time in like three or four seasons, Kano Pillars, the league champions got N10 million immediately the season ended. In addition, teams who got relegated were also rewarded. That’s a huge step.

On the LMC, I'll have to say that I've got my reservation about them. I think it’s a very good initiative by the football federation. The reason why they came into being was because there was a crisis with the League and I think the committee headed by Induka Irabo known as the the League Management Company have done a great job. 

I actually think the only wrong they have done is to Christian themselves to a company. For a committee that is meant to be there for a short term basis, that’s very dubious and fishy. It means they have plans to stay for a longer period but asides that there plans are adorable. They came in and got sponsorship, secured a multi-million dollar deal with Supersport to cover the league for 4 years amongst other things.

Who knows the league will soon become like the South African league in terms of publicity, support and coverage, because when it comes to quality I don’t think there is any Afrcian country that have as much talents we do.

Let’s talk about the triumphant U-17 team, we always do well at the U-17 level but falter after that, what do you think is the problem, is it because they are over-aged a people claim?

I don’t think it is because they are over-aged. No one can prove someone’s age if you are not the parents and as we all know, FIFA undertook the MRI scan and I think scientifically, it is proven that it doesn’t lie and also the international passport which of course can be forged. I congratulate them all the same. 

In terms of progress, I want to believe its because we only have this ideology of going to competitions to win which shouldn’t be the case. When it comes to the U-17 and U-20, the first thing that should come to our hearts is to develop but unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Take for instance the 2010 edition which we lost to Switzerland in the final; Neymar was present in Lagos then but look at him now.

 Our biggest player that year was the one they called “little Messi” Stanley Okoro, I only know of one Messi exiting, the little one is nowhere to be found. We need to start putting things in place and having a successive progression from the U-17 to the U-20 and then the dream team. That is the only way we can have a functional Super Eagles

Can you pinpoint one or two from the team?

I can call a lot of them, one definitely will be Isaac Success who was rather unfortunate to have been injured in the group stage and then Kelechi Iheanacho; even FIFA and Asamoah Gyan attest to the fact that the lad is talented. I also have to mention Alfa and the team captain Mohammed. These guys will be superstars.

Going back to your profession now, was there a time when you were faced with a difficult situation on air? How did you tackle it?

Yes I was, I remember it was at City FM. I would never forget 3^rd December 2010, it was my first show alone, Biola Kazeem and Bada couldn’t make it to the studio due to some hitches and then it was just me in the studio, less prepared and nervous.

Luckily for me, we had the phone lines so I just did less of the talking then allowed listeners to call in. That was how I salvaged the situation. After that day, I just had this confidence that since I could handle that then I could do things on my own.

When you feel down or in a bad mood and you just have to present a show, how do you inject positive energy into your mood?

The truth is, as professional as you can be, there are instances where people (especially those who know you well) will still sense that there’s something wrong with you. You just have to psychic yourself and completely throw whatever you have in mind in the waste bin and just talk with composure because you never know who is listening. Someone out there might even be in a bigger problem than yours.

Your favorite football club?

Manchester united

What of on the home front, which team do you support?

Enyimba international

Do you have a memorial of any of their matches?

Of course I do, we've covered many games and I can’t forget the 2011/2012 season FA cup final between Enyimba and Rangers at the Nnamdi Azikiwe stadium where Uwadiegwu scored an incredible goal. I can remember it vividly because I was so excited as a fan that I forgot I was supposed to be a neutral as a commentator. I couldn’t help but scream!

What should we be expecting from you in the next 5 years?

If I haven’t retired because I feel I would have been so good that... hehehe don't mind me, I’m bragging! But in the next 5 years, I will be bigger, better, worked on myself and err you never know, everyone always have this huge dream. For me, I’ve always fancied Supersport, so you might just see me there. You never know!

Can you share with us your most embarrassing moment on air?

Oh yes I can! I have like two or three. There was one at Brilla FM; it was my first day on air and I was embarrassed because I had dinosaurs in my belly that faithful day. When I was called to the mic, I was shaking, stuttering and speaking so fast that I couldn't even hear myself. *laughs*

The second one happened at Metro FM on a morning show. We had this interns from FRCN and the way the studio was set up there, its just a barricade that separates the studio and the seats where the intern sat so it was possible for them to see what was going on in the studio. There was this particular intern there that couldn’t just stop looking at me in the eyes and that got me unsettled and shy throughout the show! Urgh! I couldn’t just flow because each time I looked up, there she was LOL!

Its now time to pick your greatest eleven of all time!

Cool! I would start off with Oliver Kahn in goal. At right back er’m *long pause* I think I’ll skip right back for now and talk about my attack. 
 
Ronaldinho will be in my team because he is the greatest footballer I have ever seen play. So Ronaldinho in midfield alongside Gerrard, George Best and Lionel Messi. Then I will pick Papilo to play behind Ronaldo De Lima up front! Phew! Ok back to my defence, I have just three slots so I’ll go with Cafu, Hierro and Maldini

Messi or Ronaldo and why?

I will stick with Messi because I think he is unseen, he is not a natural footballer, he is unique! Like the say, ability and abilibi, Ronaldo worked his way to perfection but Messi was born with it so when you see stuffs like that you can’t disregard it.

You celebrate those who worked hard for it but when you can do it naturally without stress, then you have to be the best! 

At a point he was questioned that he doesn't score headers and he silenced critics with that incredible goal in Rome against Manchester United; then they came again and said he doesn't score free kicks like Ronaldo but that’s history now and when a man alive wins four Ballon D’or on a stretch, you just can’t argue. 

I think he outshines Ronaldo in all aspect except in fashion. He is a terrible dresser and needs to get a new stylist *laughs*

For most people aspiring to become sports broadcasters, what would you say is the most important thing to consider?

I’ll just say believe is key. You have to be sure it is what you want to do. Many atimes people come to me and saying, “I like what you do and I will like to do it too” and the question I always ask is if the inspiration is money because although broadcasting is good, don’t think you will be Dangote or a billionaire overnight but it will certainly make you great. If it’s not your calling, you can as well make it yours by being dedicated and believing in yourself. Those are the most important things!

It was nice talking to you sir! WB wishes you the very best!

You can follow him on twitter Follow @emiearth