Why they call me Man of the night – Classic FM’s Lawrence Nwali
In this chat DAYLIGHT.NG, talented radio host and MC Lawrence Nwali speaks on several germane issues, especially his love for the radio. Enjoy the chat.
We would like a brief introduction about you?
My name is Lawrence Nwali, a.k.a. The Man Of The Night. I’m a radio broadcaster by night, ironically. By day I’m a social/corporate master of ceremonies, screen/stage actor and voice over artiste.
What informed your going into broadcasting?
As a growing child, I had always been thrilled by and loved the “art” of radio broadcasting. I found it intriguing how words are used to attract, please and sustain a listener’s delight. So as an undergraduate in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, when I heard the campus radio at the time, Lion FM, was auditioning for presenters, I naturally went for it, hence the start of my journey as a radio presenter. From then till now as an On Air Personality on Classic FM 97.3, it has been a journey of experience garnering and evolution.
What is your beat on radio?
I run two different shows on Classic FM. As The Man Of The Night, I host the overnight show called Nocturnal Classics, Monday to Thursday, 12am-6am. There, I play a very selective collection of easy listening love songs, perfect for the nighttime, among other things that happen at that time.
On Sundays I host the midday show, Sunday Brunch, from 12pm. It’s an entirely different kettle of fish. From the personality to the music, the show is programmed towards providing cheer to the listener.
Experience so far?
My experience being on the radio has been incredibly exciting. First I’ve come to realise the true sense of the saying “we learn everyday.” And in learning everyday, one is opened up, over time, to vast knowledge in varying fields and subjects. In my early days, when I’d read up on what it takes to be a professional radio broadcaster, I read that presenting is fun, but if done diligently it is hard work. So the amount of work put into research and collection of information, and its strategic dissemination cannot be taken for granted.
Being the host of the overnight show avails its own peculiar experiences. In the space of about 8 years I have hosted the late night and overnight shows of two different radio stations. Over time I have found that there are a whole lot more people awake listening to the radio at night than we realise. With Classic FM, the average listener is between the ages of 30 and 60. This is an adult, working class person and regardless of the fact that they have to get on the road to go to work in the morning, they not only stay up at night to listen to my show, but would usually participate actively.
How about challenges?
First obvious challenge for me is staying awake all night talking on the radio and then driving home from end to end in Lagos. I remember one morning, about 7 years ago, I was stuck in traffic returning home from work. I nodded off for a brief moment and my foot eased off the brake pedal then my car rolled and hit the car in front of me. Luckily it was a slight contact with no damage. I just apologised to the guy and explained to him that I had worked all night.
What do you think is the future of radio broadcasting?
Well, like practically everything in life these days, radio broadcasting is experiencing rapid changes that in most forms are welcomed and in other forms are criticised. Radio is getting more digital and visual. Traditional radio enthusiasts fear that we might be getting to the end of FM broadcasting as we know it.
While making radio more digital helps improve its broadcast quality and reach, for me the part of it that I have reservations about is the attempt to give radio “a face.” This concept is having cameras in the studio so that listeners can watch a presenter talk, while listening in on a programme. But it takes away the charm of anonymity and could scar the future identity of radio itself.
What led to your foray into MCing?
I was at a wedding many years ago in my early twenties and the MC at the ceremony was a sharply dressed, eloquent, witty guy who impressed everyone there and tickled my fancy into wanting to be just that kind of compere.
Getting into the university, I sort out live shows where I emceed, mostly for free of course, as you can imagine. But it pretty much set me down the path I’m still on today.
Who are your clients and how affordable is your service?
I have worked in hosting capacity with corporate brands and more individual clients. From First City Monument Bank (FCMB) to flamboyant wedding ceremonies with over 1000 guests. I’ve hosted seminars, brand/book launches, birthday parties and children functions.
I cater my services to a client who needs them and is willing and able to appreciate the quality I deliver. Sadly, when people plan events, and this happens with all sorts of events, they seem to believe the MC is the least important piece of the event, so should get paid the least. But I always illuminate the fact that they’ve come to me because they believe I can do a thoroughly good job. So if a good job is what a client is hoping for then they should be willing to pay the money’s worth.
What stands you out from other MCs?
Well, I handle every event I host different from the previous one. Though they may be similar in nature, weddings for instance, the clients are people different from each other. Each has their varying tastes and personalities, so a repeating situation may occur which requires a different approach.
Also, I adhere to a traditional understanding of the job description of a Master of Ceremonies, which is not limited to introducing speakers, making announcements and cracking jokes. Keeping the event on time, from start to end, while ensuring the ceremony agenda flows as smoothly as possible is a major key aspect of an MC’s duty. To have an event run too short or too long, or with avoidable delays and interruptions here and there would not tell good of me as the host.
More so, guests or an audience at any ceremony or event are very vital to the success of the occasion. Whether they paid, registered or were invited to be there, I believe they’re very important to the organisers; so I like to put a bit more focus in engaging and entertaining the crowd. I believe that their satisfaction is the best feedback I can ask for.
Your future plans?
I’m hopeful of the path ahead of me. They say the difference between a successful person and an unsuccessful person is opportunity. I hope to get more opportunities to enable me show what I can really do and grow in my career as an actor and a broadcast and live events host.
However success is guaranteed when consistent precision is applied to strategic steps. Part of steps I’m taking is building a brand that will potentially gain international momentum.
Lip Service Communications and Entertainment Ltd is an outfit being developed to be a hub that provides targeted clients with diverse media hosting and promotional services like social/corporate event MCing and organising, stage and set acting, voice acting, public relations, media publicity, music and movie promotions and music Management.
