Ruzzel Ngofa is an Entertainer, Philanthropist, Showbiz Promoter, Event Manager, and the Creative behind Ruzzel Entertainment Project. In an hour-length interview with ELANHUB, Ruzzel detailed what the project represents. This is ahead of the brand’s relaunch, 50th birthday celebration of its media consultant, Honourable Udeme Obot, and Award of Excellence ceremony. The show is scheduled for the 25th of July 2021 and will be holding at the Amas Event Center, Omas, Gbalaja, Woji Town, Port Harcourt.
Ruzzel Ngofa presents as a highly organised and focused individual. This distinctive feature, according to him, was developed while working with his late father, Emerengwe O. O. Ngofa on several academic research projects and book publications. This signature quality was further strengthened during years of engagement with many corporate organisations and associations, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), where he worked with Honourable Udeme Obot.
Ruzzel Ngofa established Ruzzel Entertainment Project (REP) formally known as Ruzzel Biz Promotions, in 1999. The entertainment brand and record label is designed to provide a platform for creatives and music artistes to showcase their talents. REP is also Ruzzel’s personal contribution to society. According to him, rather than relying completely on the state, individuals, such as himself, and corporate organisations can lend to societal development by creating platforms to encourage nation building.
To date, the Ruzzel Entertainment Project has signed a total of 11 artistes including Alvin Spiff, Eflow, Whitey, Mr G1, Smyz, Gmix, Ken Ben, Solo-jay, Efisan, Anthonia Goodluck (TM Media), and Victor Chujor. In 2020, the brand worked on a collaborative project called Fight against Covid-19, geared towards awareness creation and enlightenment about the global pandemic, COVID-19.
In 2021, owing to the rising scourge of rape in Nigeria and other parts of the world, Ruzzel Entertainment Project released a song named, Say No to Rape. Both projects address issues of critical concern and as such have gained massive airplay on radio and television stations across Nigeria. The popularity of both songs can be linked to their fusion of the popular Nigerian pidgin English and local dialects in their lyrics.
The three-fold event holding on Sunday, 25 July 2021 is firstly aimed at re-introducing the brand, Ruzzel Entertainment Project (REP). The second event is the 50th birthday celebration of the brand’s media consultant, Honourable Udeme Obot. The multi-talented Udeme Obot is a key player in the NIPR in Rivers State and Nigeria. He is one of the most loved and deeply respected figures in entertainment sector across the country. The occasion of Obot’s golden birthday anniversary, presents Ruzzel Ngofa the opportunity to express his appreciation and gratitude to a man he passionately describes as his father in the entertainment industry. The third event holding on the said day is an awards ceremony for persons who have contributed to the growth of the entertainment industry and human capital development. Some of the awardees include Paulinus Nsirim, the current Commissioner for Information and Communication, Rivers State, and Chairman, NIPR, Rivers State chapter; Yibo Koko, DG/CEO Rivers State Tourism and Development Agency (RSTDA); Pastor Segun Owolabi; Sampson Fiberesima; Angel Ishmael Atta (aka ANGEL D’LAFF); and several others. Ruzzel detailed that a lot of planning has gone into ensuring the event is a success and beckons on all to attend.
During the hour-long interview with ELANHUB, Ruzzel Ngofa also shared his thoughts on the state of the Port Harcourt entertainment sector. In his view, the sector is thriving and there are a wide range of artistes with capacity to take on the global stage. He noted, however, that many of the talents in the Port Harcourt entertainment scene are “inconsistent”. In his words, “in Port Harcourt here, there is a whole lot of inconsistency”. This is unlike 2Baba, Burna Boy and Wizkid, whose hard work and dedication to their craft have seen them dominate the entertainment industry in Nigeria. These traits have also enhanced their reach across the globe. Ruzzel said:
“There was an artist some years ago, M Kaze”. M Kaze was doing well in Port Harcourt but suddenly left for Lagos to go start from the scratch. He could not find his footing there and had to return again to Port Harcourt. “Look at the class of comedians we have in Port Harcourt. A lot of them do not have anywhere they are going to. I’m saying it without apology to anybody … consistency will make you be like Burna”.
While passionately expressing his displeasure, Ruzzel advised Port Harcourt artistes to become more disciplined and take the time to properly learn and hone their craft.
Watch Ruzzel Ngofa’s interview with ELANHUB here:
