Akintunde-Johnson Hosts FAJ-Alive Television Talk Show

A new television talk show hosted by highly regarded journalist and media executive, Femi Akintunde-Johnson (a.k.a. FAJ) premiered on Lagos Television, LTV last Friday, October 21, 2015. The general-interest one-hour programme is called FAJ-Alive, with strong interest in politics, business, entertainment, lifestyle and society.

According to a statement issued by the talkshow host Akintunde-Johnson, FAJ-Alive is designed as a knowledge-based, information-friendly, inspirational platform where very important leading lights of society will be encouraged to step out and offer their wisdom, direction and esteemed voices in guiding the generality of the populace.

“The general tendency on FAJ-Alive is to avoid focusing attention on the “persona” involved in issues, as best as we can – in a language (verbal and non-verbal) that accords respect and decorum to the sanctity of simple rights and privileges of all – regardless of our persuasion. This is the premise for the emergence of FAJ-Alive,” FAJ explained.

Planned as a 60-minute television programme that will harness the outstanding knowledge, contacts, experience, intellectualism and general appeal of FAJ who is the driving-force behind the programme, it is expected that the anchor and his guests will facilitate a benchmark of quality, seriousness and forthrightness in the interrogation and understanding of public, national and social affairs, including prominent state actors.

Structured around a ‘main chat’ segment, other major segments in the programme include ‘the Ring Masters’, ‘Breakouts’, ‘Critics’ Choice’ and ‘Ask the FAJ’.

As FAJ explained, ‘the Ring Masters’ provides the platform for the respected voice in the entertainment industry ‘to be heard in order to shape, activate and inspire actions, decisions and perspectives in our entertainment community. ‘Breakout’ is a magazine format on the extra-ordinary lives and professional growth of young Nigerians who have excelled in different areas of endeavours while ‘Critics’ Choice’ and ‘Ask the FAJ’ focuses on “Top 5-style” Best of Nigerian Entertainment) scroll for the preceding week and the opportunity to ask any reasonable questions on any area of life, and are willing to accept the “answers” that arise.

FAJ-Alive is recorded for transmission on Lagos Television, LTV and airs every Friday from 10.45pm till midnight (also on DSTV 256 & StarTimes 113). Though designed as a live show, FAJ explained that concerns for the safety of guests and participants have forced the crew to pre-record at daytime and transmit same week.

“The producers also desire to subsequently syndicate the talkshow on a number of TV stations nationwide in mutually agreeable time zones. It is worthy of note that the emergence of FAJ-Alive is largely driven by the determination and willingness of the new management of Lagos Television, led by Mr. Deji Balogun, to unearth fresh and exciting programmes at the biggest state-owned television station in Nigeria,” he said.