Teejay is a veejay. He has been in the industry for close to four years now. He is a creative artiste and a graduate of Theatre Arts from University of Lagos. He moved from organizing events back in the university to hosting events on big stages and carving a niche for himself in the industry. He is one of the most famous persons with albinism in Nigeria. He spoke to HANNAH UFOH. Excerpts…
Tell us more about Teejay…
Teejay is a very productive young man trying to make ends meet. He is a dream chaser and also a talk-and-do kind of guy. That is who Teejay Ameen is.
What are you currently working on?
I am a producer at HipTV at the moment and I also host red carpet shows at HipTV. I started hosting events even before I started hosting red carpets.
How long have you been working in HipTV?
I have been working there for about six to seven months; almost seven months to be precise.
What was the first event you hosted?
The first event I hosted was “Dare to Dream Season 4”. It was a major breakthrough for me and my first complete event. It was a big shot for me.
Would you say that you are satisfied with where you are, looking at how you started?
There is really nothing like being at the peak of anything. A goal is continuous, so I don’t see myself being at the peak of anything. Whatever might look like peak to someone is still work in progress for me.
Have you ever been criticized for being an albino in the industry?
I don’t listen to criticisms; they only come when you accept them. I don’t receive criticisms because I don’t accept them as criticisms.
Have you ever been deprived of being the host of a show because you are an albino?
It has never happened to me because I have not placed myself in such position for anybody to tell me such.
The International Albinism Awareness Day took place recently and you were one of the speakers. What would you say about this awareness?
That day was set aside to raise awareness on the stigmatization that is going around albinos. I see that day as a day to resound a message, not a holiday. The United Nations set this day aside to raise awareness on albinism. It is wrong to look at your fellow neighbor and feel… we are humans before anything else. That is what this day is set aside to preach. Stigmatization is the main purpose.
What would you say is one of the biggest challenges faced by a producer and a presenter?
A lot of journalists are not ready to go the extra mile. We have lazy broadcast journalists. They feel like things have to be done for them. They are not passionate about this thing. As a producer or a presenter, it won’t be easy to get an interview done. Some interviewees might say no to the interviewer and before you know it, they are discouraged and sad and all. But a passionate producer and presenter would have to take all the hell that comes their way.
So, what advice would you give to producers and presenters?
Put more passion into what you are doing before the glitz and the glamour so that any rubbish that comes to you, you are ready to soak it in. Every job has its own bad sides.
Most upcoming journalists complain about journalists who have been on a job for a long time, not creating an avenue for new journalists?
There is nothing like upcoming journalists. Your future doesn’t lie in the hands of any presenter that has been hosting a show for 10-20 years. You should always think out of the box. Every single person is paying their dues. Most people want a job, but it is advisable to take your time and enjoy the process. It might take a while, but I can beat my chest and say I have been here for more than 5 years now. I have done a lot in the past. I have paid my dues and some of which I cannot even remember. When people talk about some of them, I would be amazed that I did that. Before you are given a chance or an opportunity, they need to see that you have prepared yourself.
What do you mean by prepare yourself?
It means you ought to have started something small, even if it is in your house. The industry is looking for people that to a certain extent, they have used their talents. Don’t wait for auditions. Start projects and show them projects you have done in the past and they also have to see that you have been consistent.
How would you describe Nigerian journalism?
I see a lot of people that are really doing it well in the industry. Some went abroad to study and immediately they put them on TV and you that has been hustling in Nigeria since, because you have not crossed the Benue border, they don’t want to give you a chance. This is a stereotype we need to break in Nigerian journalism. There are certain things we need to break, but I look forward to seeing broadcast academics that are certified to teach broadcast journalism. No shade to any school that is already teaching broadcast journalism. When I look at these academics sometimes, I feel like being a teacher (laughs) because I want to learn.
Are you in a relationship?
At the moment, well (laughs), let’s say yeah, even though I prefer keeping it low. But yes, I am in a relationship, I no dey hide am.
How do you manage your relationship with your work?
I would like to commend every media personality out there. You need someone who really understands, because there are times I don’t talk to my babe for like three days because I went for a show or an event. Imagine if it was a sensitive babe that I was dating. I pray we would last longer and stay longer forever and ever. Can I get an amen for that (laughs).
What are your future plans for your career?
The entertainment industry has always been my dream, not only as a presenter, but as a mogul in the industry in general. I want to really pump in money into the creative industry. I want to help the creatives with funds.. If I see anyone doing anything creative in the industry, I really tend to put my effort into it. If I have the money and the resources, I would make sure that I can support every creative that there is and put them into the spotlight. Connecting the creative to the real world is basically what I plan to do in the future.