Organisers of `40 & Famous’, a television reality show says the programme is poised to promote cultural decency, dignity as well as empower Nigerian women.
The Producer/Chief Executive Officer of the programme, Nnenna Abani said this at a news conference to highlight how the 60-day programme was progressing on Saturday in Abuja.
According to her, the desire to lift women out of poverty inspired me to organise the programme.
“It is a family friendly programme designed to take women out of the streets, those women backing their babies and carrying firewood on their heads.
“When I see that, it breaks my heart and whatever I have to make them better and pick up their pieces I always do that.
“Some of them are used, dumped and rejected by men and some by society, marriage, nature and so on but they have got that talent that is there.
“Some of them when they are doing their firewood work you hear the voices, their vocal is like Celine Dion but they think their time is up because they are over 40 years old.
“And when you are 40 plus and you are not a celebrity you think that all hope is lost.
“However, celebrities are 50 and they are allowed to play around,’’ she said
The Nigerian veteran actress and musician reiterated that the programme would promote dignity and respect among Nigerian women.
“The unique thing is that it will not promote nudity and promiscuity, but poised to promote cultural decency, dignity and respect as well as targeted at empowering the Nigerian woman in or above 40 years of age.”
According to her, the reality show is aimed at helping the multi-tasking women chose their right career among all her crafts and to create a platform to help depressed women who are 40 years or above.
“The reality show is aimed at improving the wellbeing of an average woman, capacity building for multi-talented women and cross breeding of talents and crafts among women who are creative,’’ she said.
Abani said that the 10 contestants are undergoing training in the areas of photography, tips in managing money and entrepreneurship.
“When they are up, they will have something to contribute to the society,’’ she said.
Similarly, Mr Kennedy Ajah, the Executive Producer of 40 & Fabulous, said that it had been a tough journey for some of the women who shared difficult experiences.
“However, as long as one is alive, there is a lot that one can do. Some of the women were almost giving up on life but this programme will give them hope and a new life via empowerment through entrepreneurship,’’ Ajah said.
He said that the reality show would help the multi-tasking women chose their right career and create a platform to help depressed women.
Some of the viewers of the programme described it as a good alternative to other television reality shows, especially the Big Brother Naija.
According to Mrs Chioma Ahaiwe, it is coming at a time when Nigeria suffers moral decadence.
“It is a laudable programme being that women are empowered with skills and start up loans after their stay in the house.
“More so it is critical because women play pivotal role in a nation’s development,’’ Ahaiwe said.
Miss Evidence Mayowa, said “I would like to say that the organisers of this programme have made history.
`This is more importantly, as at a time when we talk of morals and tupbringing of the youth.
“The coming of 40 & fabulous is a wakeup call that really there is hope for women,’’ Mayowa said.
The programme showing on DSTV, GOtv and other platforms offers N10 million, a car and other prices for grabs.