If you have ever tuned your radio to Cool FM station at about 9pm – 2am (Mondays – Fridays) then you would have heard the soulful voice of the night nurse ‘Vickie Alozie’. Vickie has gained a huge following on her programme ‘The Love Zone’ and its no doubt she is one of the best on-air personality on radio.
As usual, Vickie Alozie was her entertaining self during the interview and we were glad to have her talk about ‘HER’
Let meet you?
My name is Vicky Alozie.
What was growing up like?
It was very interesting. I am an only child and one of those kids that was unnecessarily spoilt. Did everything, went everywhere, got everything I ever wanted……. Yeah I know really spoilt but somehow managed to not let it get to my head. I got my fair share I guess, did everything a child should do and should not do too. And yes I was very naughty, basically a handful.
Any fun/embarrassing moments?
I have had a lot of fun, exciting and interesting moments. I have also had my fair share of embarrassing moments too but more fun (mischievous) than embarrassing though. I know you would want to hear them all but I don’t want too and moreover they are just too numerous to mention.
Whats your educational background?
Had my University education in Obafemi Awolowo University, read Political Science. I did other stuffs in and outside the country.
What is your daily routine often like?
Sometimes, my day could be really hectic and sometimes just laid back. I do a lot of things aside from radio that I do not want to mention. Occasionally, I could just decide I am not going anywhere or doing anything and just sit at home to watch television (series or movies). Just having a little fun by myself, love my alone time and my together time, if you get what I mean…… hehehehehehe but I really can’t forget radio, my first love.
Now let talk about your radio programme, “The Love Zone”. It is a cool and emotional-laden night programme, what makes it tick?
Honestly, I have no idea but if I had to say, I would say it’s my callers. They are all so different!!! Some sweet, some sexy, some naughty, some so in love, some so not in love, some so angry, some so disappointed, shy, happy, giddy, sad, hopeful, optimistic, hopeless…… I could go on and on and on. With voices that tell a story without telling the story that I and everybody else listening connects to. It’s so beautiful!!! In a city like Lagos that is so fast paced right from the get go, as early as 5am, it’s no wonder that by sundown you just want to unwind or shut down with some humour or music or just good old sweet love. Where do you get it all? I’ll leave the answer to you.
And how do you handle your male listeners?
My male listeners are just great. Some sweeter than some but all in all pretty nice guys. Handling??? Well we talk over the phone!!! They say the sweetest things about their sweethearts or crushes.They remind me that there are really some good ones out there. Back to handling, errmmmmm well, what I would like to know is how they handle me because I handle them pretty well………….. I guess.
Have you being compared with any radio personality?
Well not yet. There are really great personalities out there (of which I secretly listen too) but no two can be the same, even if you want to be like someone else, there is so much of that you can pull off and not for too long, your true self always shines through. People that I have known for a while and those that have just met me think I’m the same on or off air and that I can relate to. I think it easier being myself all the time so I don’t get confused. When I get on the radio I just do me, I have no idea who that is but it’s me.
Is their any radio personality that you admire most or rather want to be like?
To be honest even if wanted to be someone else, I can’t. My personality is way too strong, I would fail badly at being like someone else, I could try but fail at it. I just do my thing. I do admire other people on what they do and how they do it on the air, infact I love it and I listen to them religiously but even if I wanted to be like them i just can’t. You want names??? Let’s leave that for another time, just know that they are brilliant.
How did you find yourself on Radio (Cool Fm)?
It started while I was still in school(OAU). I called in on a show on Cool FM to answer a question and won back in 1998 when they just opened up. I got a call back to come pick up my prize and that they liked my voice. I came in and joined in the show with Yakubu Lamia and learnt a few things and I was hooked for life. It was the best day of my life, being on air with him that first night, Ibrahim Abubarkar and Keith Lane came in too to give me a radio tour as well. I did it for a while, it was so great and I knew I wanted to do radio so much once I got out of school. After my university education i had a brief stint in banking and teaching before retracing my steps back to radio broadcasting and Cool FM and the rest is history.
What do you think about Nigerian Music?
Well from a musical stand point, we are getting there. We’ve got some really brilliant musicians and some………. I dunno. I just wish some musicians would try their best and listen to themselves for starters before they make us listen to them on an album or get a sincere critic or something. What would they or we love to hear or what sort of voice would they love to listen to on their radio or ipod or whatever. Music is such a beautiful thing that brings the world together with it’s lyrics, message, rhythm and the voice singing it and so on. You know if you can’t sing, it’s not the end of the world. It’s a rare gift given to some and to others an ear to listen.
Basically do you have plans of coming on the screens (Television)?
No. I think I like the idea of people walking past me and not knowing it’s me that harasses them on the radio at night. I’ve being in several situations where people have talked about me on a queue or the best part on a date. It’s hilarious!!!! A guy I was on a date with went on and on about some Vickie on the radio that really I ought to listen to her on her show. It was hard to keep a straight face but I to for one more week until he dropped me off at work one night and all hell broke loose…….. hehehehehehehehe. I guess I love my privacy a lot and a chance to do that again.
How do you picture yourself in the next 5-10 years?
In the next few years, I will still be on radio.
What is your approach to life?
Taking life easy no matter how bad it gets because it always will get worse. Be true to yourself, no matter what and always try to tell the truth always. Hard as it may be to tell the truth as we all know but trust me it’s better in the end. This I know for a fact.
Any plans to contribute to the society in your own little way, either now or in the future?
In the now or the future, I would really love to work with kids and youths by coming up with some sort of ‘SANCTUARY’ that creates a medium for education and self awareness. I would love to address issues surrounding sex education, virgin stigmatization, peer pressure etc. A safe haven where the young and old can come together and learn, help and and also have fun.
What your best hangout in Lagos?
Oniru Private Beach
What do you think about “www. allejo.com”?
Allejo is cool and they are doing something new that is both educative and entertaining.
