BN on CNN: BellaNaija.com Founder Uche Eze interviewed by CNN’s Isha Sesay for i-List
Posted on Wednesday, September 29th, 2010 at 8:15 PMBy BellaNaija.com
BellaNaija.com Founder, CEO/MD of BainStone – Uche Eze was featured on CNN i-List on the 28th of September 2010.
The interview was conducted by CNN reporter, Isha Sesay. During the interview, Uche discussed the genesis and inspiration for the BellaNaija brand, social media and social media activism in Africa and the plans for BellaNaija.com
You can view the interview below:
What is i-List?
A special program that visits a different country each month and look towards its future. We highlight innovation and influence in business, industry, culture and more.
In September, i-List visits Africa for the first time, with special programs from Nigeria. Watch CNN live from Nigeria on World One all week from 27 September at 1900 GMT/ 2000 BST/ 2100 CET.
For more details on CNN i-List, visit http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2010/ilist/
Sincere thanks to all BellaNaija readers! Any success that BN has been blessed with is courtesy of YOU. – From the BN Team
Tags: cnn, CNN iList Nigeria, Isha Sesay, Uche Eze
It’s not easy
Temi, u be fine boy oh!!!lol
Hahahaha LMBO…I second that sha
I know…but how come some pple av pictures and some don’t? Give me the load down now…
Temi is the designer of this website and most likely the webmaster…
That’s why he can put up his pic (I suppose)…
Sturvs should be interviewed next @ Temi, abi ki lo feel? you don fashi your person… Ofwhich bebe dey find you seriously o!!…Ask Lado, e go yarn you wetin bebe talk!
CONGRATS BELLANAIJA! I have followed you from your blog. Nice to see Nigerian ladies doing great things! Continue the great work….and yay, first!!!
First to comment… RAHH!!!!!!Bite me…
That was really good.(Y)
So proud of you! You were very professional and eloquent… and looked on point! God bless you Uche..xxoxo
Get it Uche!!..i thought u said u were never putting ur image up on the site again…..lol…glad u changed ur mind….u looked fab!
your number One fan!……keep up the good work babe
Yeah saw it too,congrats and the Founder has Hot legs too.
is bellanaija.com a not-for-profit venture?
Very well done. You came across as a very well-spoken and intelligent young lady in your answers. Love the outfit too! 2 thumbs way way up!
Needless to say it is an absolute honour to work with and under the BN umberalla. I was nearly bursting with pride as i watched the programme yday! God bless BellaNaija.com our readers and Nigeria!
Amen
awwwww i am too proud of you….
So Proud of Bellanaija been following it since ’06 and it truly deserves all the success because it comes from a true and sincere place. God bless Bellanaija. You are still going bigger places. Keep up the good work!!
Fab…Fab!!! Überfab!! Well done BN team!!!
Very articulate. I like!!! I can’t figure out your accent though, Its some kind of naija/british/american/canadian/japanese/german hybrid lmao.
please who is this one, please she was well spoken and poised! its when she sounds like 9ice or one razz human being when she speaks that one would be ok abi? abeg bella you sounded posh jaare, keep it up
LOL
Noooo,It’s an Ijebu accent–
dohhh
THAT is a clear cut polished Nigerian Accent-no fake phone,and unnecessary nasal tones.If na soem people na to prove say dem school for canada dey blow unnecessary phone..shio..
Go on soun jare Uche—
fair enough, she sounds naija, but some of us have lived outside naija for such a long time….and we have english accent when i meet ignorant nigerians they tell me i am forming. Why do i have to conform ? why do i have to try to sound nigerian just so i can fit in? me trying to speak in naija acccent ijebu or african accent …now that will be forming.
we need to accept ppl regardless of their accents, eloquent or not, african, american or english accent or not…nasal or not! justsaying!
There was no British accent in there. Her accent an American/Canadian tilt to it. She’s not fone-in. She is just speaking articulately and changing her intonation at the required times. You learn that ability if you are opportuned to school or live in Western English- speaking countries. (Or maybe just watch alot of foreign movies! However, the difference will still be evident). If one has this ability, there is nothing wrong with putting into practice in professional settings like this. She probably lets her guard down when she is among friends and family. It’s obvious that she is just being real.
However, I beg you! If you don’t know how to do this, PLEEEEASSSSEEEEE DON’T TRY!! You can still sound educated and be properly understood with a stronger Nigerian accent.
Take Nneka for instance. She has a strong Nigerian accent but speaks very clearly and can be understood by foreigners. She knows that if she tries to speak any other way, she will end up making a fool of herself. People must always be real. If you have the ability to turn on your “softer speech” switch, do it when you feel it is required or beneficial.
no one said she had a british accent to be honest i cldnt care less
Nigerians need to move from the place of judging ppl by accent and just get on with life
i dont believe an interview with cnn get applauds on accent….well done UCHE!
i agree! when u live outside nig or are just open to more accents via travellin or even watching movies u get a tilt to ur accent. me i have two ways of speaking and they switch on and off subconciously. i have been told i sound jamaican/american/british in my “softer speech” but when im around family n friends i talk in a very very much nigerian way. likewise with her her accent its perferctly normal..not contrived and she was very eloquent. i love how nneka speaks very nigerian n clear. people jus always need to speak clearly whatever accent you have
bella well done i’ve been following since blog days and even i am amazed at how its grown. you are definitely an inspiration
Kudos, Clap for her.. Lovely!
Simply eloquent and beautiful. Keep it up Bella.
yep………………….it is really lovely, i am a fan
This is so cool! Inspiring.
Yay for inspiring young people!
Keep up the good work Bella!
Good job Uche. So proud of you and your whole crew. God bless Nigeria and all her “products”
First Oprah,now CNN..way to go baby lovely!
Yippie! One more star to the BN crown!
You looked great, Uche. Keep up the good work. We are a fan.
Uche aka Bellanaija,Just keep doing what you are doing with ur social network,the huge monetary reward is not very far off…
damn. I really wish it was ribadu, utomi or some other progressives’ ad on the site. Saraki just doesn’t mesh with the whole progressive/activisim bit.
Great interview Bella!
My friend ran to my room yday saying “the founder of bella naija is on cnn, come and watch, come and watch”
Congratulations Uche, better things are yet to come
A big shout out from all your readers in Vancouver BC,Canada.I persoally check your website thrice daily as if on Doctor’s prscription or is this the begining of addition? This Thing must grow into TV
Here is a young Nigerian who’s blazing the trail for us to follow…Keep up the good work Bella Naija Team..
Go Bella!Go Bella!Go Bella!Go Bella!(chanting ……)
Ever so proud of you dearest Uche. We’ve been with you from day one and we will continue to make this site the go to place for fashion, news, lifestyle and culture in Africa.
Love love love it! Very articulate interview. It only gets better Uche
Well done, I am so incredibly proud of you. That interview was flawless. You represent a new wave of young entrepreneuriall Nigerians who are as savvy as they are intelligent. I hope you bought a big hat because this is just one of many more feathers to come.
congrats!!! I have been following you since you first started on the blog!!! its so great to see how you have grown!! *insert round of applause here…*
Yayy!!!Great Job Proud of ya Bella
saw it as it aired yesterday. kudos Uche.
beautiful! Nigerians can change the world. Uche, you were eloquent and looking gorgeous!
Go Gal!!!!!! there no limit to sucess!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Keep Succeeding
this is truly refreshing to see. a positive image of nigeria, and africa at large being presented. bellanaija makes a wonderful ambassador for the ideal of what young africans who truly believe in and love the continent aspire to, and the change they dream to effect in their world. also, well done to other african publications trying to maintain a high level of professionalism and a commitment to clear and concise communication.
everyday a star is born, clap for em, clap for em, clap for em!
VERY WELL DONE BELLA! loved ur blog, love ur site.
Yeh i see u bella gurrrrlll!!!! i see u doing your thang!! keep up the good work i’m following your footsteps love ya!!!!
great job
Caught a glimpse of d programme yest…needless 2 say, u looked fabulous and spoke very well. I’m so proud of u, u r an achiever…a young one @ dt.
yep. her dress was gorgeous!
Nice job
YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYAYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY for bellanaija, thats what I meant to say not nice job.
well done guys!
Filled with so much pride!
Go Uche! You’re mega-pretty, too!
Thumbs up! Trying to imagine when things were rough for her;while climbing,but she persisted,believing in the idea/concept. Wow,what more can you say but ‘Thank You Father’! You’re just starting!!!!!!!
congrats bella naija!!!
This is really cool for we nigerians but hey why is that females are the once more successful in blogging and online deals. Look at Linda ikeji, she is really doing well. am a huge fan of her blog. Guys what are you waiting for. we can do better.
http://getnigeriajobs.blogspot.com/
WELL DONE!!
So proud of you Bella. Your feature was one of (If not the only) the most articulate Nigerian personality interviews i’ve watched on CNN.
Isha, did try to call you out on the Bukola Saraki adverts but your answers were superb.
Looks like the adverts are gone. Thank God
wow..more power to your elbows..Oprah, CNN i-list..next up Larry King!!
Very inspiring. Well done Bella!This gives hope to a lot of young folks that they can do it as well!!!
well done Uche! you are beautiful, well spoken and confident!
kudos bella. Nice Job who made your outfit? it was superb
A round of applause for you Uche. I wish to be like you some day in the near future.
EXTREMELY proud of you Uche-you have done well.
BUT when in an interview,to come across more eloquent,PLEASE attempt to drop the use of the word “like,like” when speaking.
I think it’s a term reserved for people like Paris Hilton,it’s almost on the same level as saying “whatever”.
It almost depicts a limit in vocabulary.And I KNOW you KNOW your onions.
All in ALL BRAVO.
congratulations. weldone. you have really inspired me.
Wow, bella I’m so proud of dis team, most especially Uche!
More grease to your elbows Bella!
Welldone – you are a star. This is what happens when we follow our dreams through. You always remind me to get up and get moving.
Now I just wish Bukola Saraki wasn’t on here. That advert just raises his middle finger at our collective faces… Like a previous poster said, Ribadu yes, Pat Utomi, yes but BS mba nu. Although, then again it’s a tough call for your team…sigh.
WOW!!! go BN…100% FAN
Congrats, I’m so proud of you! Please keep the good work flowing, and don’t forget you’re Bella Naija… LOL
congrats, u deserve ds and so much more
I love BN!!!!!!!Congrats!!Someone asked me today “what’s your top sites you frequent” BN was the first..yay!! P.s you sound awesome, love your hair, dress, face and legs…HAUTTENESS….and we sound alike too blush****
BN=Too GBASKI+TOTAL BUNZNESS!!!!!!!
you were raelly terrific….i m very proud of you,
congrats dear uche, just stumbled upon and i must say u looked absolutely gorgeous. I am very proud of you.
uche, great work for naija image , keep on adding value, may the Lord inspire your thinking, Amen
just stumbled upon part of it…and like i said earlier, u looked fab/gorgeous. Keep the flag flying. proudly naija.
This was a great interview! Uche you are very well- spoken, coherent and concise. It was a pleasure listening to you speak. I pray you go places. Congrats to where you are now already!
welldone uche. fegosha girls repping 100percent
way to go bella!..heartfelt congrats.
Congrats!!!!
Uche Eze & Bella Naija are leaders
bella Congrats ….keep d gud work…
Congrats Uche!
Awww..ur name is uche lol. Ur blog is certainly one of the best developments in nija, a job well done.
Well done Bella! Really proud of you. But please remove that Saraki ad, it doesn’t matter how much he paid you guys. You are progresdive, he is regressive. Please tnx.
Good one Uche. Hardwork pays somehow someday. Stay good.
haba!!!the girl had a naija accent to the core.She wasnt forming at all….na wa for some of una o!
gosh!I am slightly jealous of you
Awwww….she so cute
I remember when u were featured on Oprah’s show and u said that was goin to be the last time u wud feature urself on “BellaNaija”…..Well, too late, hon!!! You’re too good with what u do…so u can’t hide, dear. Congrats and well done! *wink*
When I read things like this, I am so proud to be a Nigerian…Great Bella Naija for making Nigerians’ proud!!!
Something good again out of Nigeria, we need more of this type of recognition..Congrats Bella! you sure deserve it. Bell naija is a fun site..Again, i encourage you to add a healthy living column, use this medium to reach people and help them get awareness on health issues, you have a large number of people and can save a life through this. cheers!
Nothing more to add but to ask the almighty God to reward your endeavours and expand your dream into an empire worthy of emulation henceforth Amen.
Thankyou dear Utchay [ Uche ] for making us proud, you have inspired me greatly and i appreciate you and your hardworking beautiful crew.
God bless you all Amen.
Great!!!
Love you bella naijs all the way form Jamaica, Keep up the good work!!!
Congrats Uche, this is beautiful, so proud of you….the sky is your starting point.
You are doing really great. I admire you.
When you get interviewed to early as a business ownwer.It is not always a good sign. I urge Bella Naija not to accommodate complacency as you have a lot of work to do now. Best Wishes
Congrats Bella Nigeria, Congrats Uche Eze
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She is definitely an inspiration. God bless u girl