Nationality Nigerian Name Emmanuel Essien | Period 2004–Present | |
Born Emmanuel Essien 26 March 1977 (age 46) Jos, Plateau State, (Nigeria) ( 1977-03-26 ) Occupation Air Personality, Voice over artist, singer, Compere, and former actor | ||
Emmanuel Essien (born 26 March 1977) is a Nigerian radio presenter, voice over artist, singer, compere, and former actor. He was the host of the Good Morning Nigeria show on Nigerian radio station, 96.9 Cool FM, in Lagos. In March 2015, he was nominated for Hollywood's Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award in USA for best Nigerian On Air Personality.
Contents
Early life and education
Essien was born in Jos Plateau in Northern Nigeria to retired principal Obong Jo. The last of six children, Mannie grew up in many parts of Nigeria, including Gombe and Bauchi state. He was in Gombe state from 1978 to 1987 where his father was the first provost of NTTC Gombe, an institution of higher learning. Then in Calabar he completed his primary education at Auntie Margaret International school in 1989, after which he attended Federal Government College Enugu in 1992 then later finishing at Federal Government College Ikot Ekpene in 1996. He gained admission to study linguistics at the University of Calabar in 1999, graduating in 2003.
Career
Essien wrote songs as a young boy, and tried out in talent competitions like the Golden Tones with Benson and Hedges and the first Project Fame in 2004 representing Nigeria in South Africa. Broadcaster Olisa Adibua, at Cool FM later spoke to the manager about giving him a job as a producer. Essien went on to produce radio sweepers and station IDs for Cool FM, Wazobia FM, and Nigeria Info Fm. His manager, engineer Amin Moussalli, advised him to go into radio presenting.
Television and radio
Essien is the host of the TV cooking competition, Knorr Taste Quest, and is a co-host on 'Discovery 234 on DStv.
On radio he hosts the Good Morning Nigeria Show, and is a voiceover and audio jingle producer for brands including MTN, Coca Cola, Chicken Republic, and FCMB.
Music
Essien signed to Rayramon Records Australia, and released his debut single in 2015 called Moving On featuring musician Ray Ramon and DJ Andromeda from the U.K. The music was co-written by Jenny Ramon from Australia. "Moving On" has received airplay on radio stations in Nigeria, Australia, and the UK.
Awards
In 2014, his show "Good Morning Nigeria Show" was awarded the most outstanding radio show in the Nigerian Broadcasters Merit Awards. He also won favourite On Air Personality at Hollywood's Nickelodeon Kids Choice awards in Hollywood USA in March, 2015.
Personal life
Essien is married to Grace Edewede Essien with whom he has two children Michael and Eleanor. He lives in Mbiabong in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.