Media Personality: Ben 200: Half-Human, Half-Amazing

Let’s know a bit about you…
My name is Benjamin Ubiri the penpusher AKA Ben200, Half Human Half Amazing . I am a writer, journalist, master of ceremonies and radio OAP. I am the author of : The Book of Chibock and winner of the 2009 Nigerian literary journalist award. I am presently the chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors ANA Abuja chapter.
I currently work as an OAP at Nigeria Info FM 95.1 ABUJA, Nigeria’s foremost talk radio station. I co-host THE MIDDAY DIALOGUE SHOW on weekdays and The Lets Talk show on Saturday nights.
I attended Aunty Lucy Junior School and Ramat Primary school Kano. I was also at Army Day Secondary school and Gwammaja 2 secondary school kano but finished secondary school at Urhobo College Effurun. I attended Katsina Polytechnic, the International institute of Journalism, Television College Jos, and currently a masters of mass communication student at the Nigerian open university.

I am the fourth child of Seven children. I used to have six sisters. My parents Chief Solomon Ubiri: The Enih of Iyede (NOW LATE) and Rebecca Ubiri are from the ubiri royal family in Otor-Iyede in Isoko north LGA of Delta state.
I am a Christian. I am also married to Helen, my best friend and together we have two children Emmanuella and David. Helen is an Electronic engineer who has a strong passion for fashion. So she also trained as a fashion designer.

Can you tell us a bit about your career trajectory?

I have worked as a journalist for a few years now. My first job was in 1999 as a reporter for Smash magazine. I later joined The Anchor Newspaper, The Guardian Newspaper, Public Agenda Newspaper, Leadership Newspaper, Newspage Newspaper and The Sun Newspaper. I have also done some work with Galaxy Television, Channels Tv and Independent Television where I left as Head of Current Affairs.
I am also a master of ceremonies. A corporate one. I was one of the MCs during the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari. I add humour to my job. I have also (very recently) started speaking at church events and at social career and youth events.
I am presently an OAP at Nigeria Info FM Abuja. My station is a talk and very interactive station. We deal with the people directly. We take live calls; we also take live social media messages.
Even though I copresent two shows : the midday dialogue on weekdays between 9am and 5pm and Let’s Talk on Saturdays between 8pm and 1am. My life and job is dedicated to the people. As an OAP. I am given to caring for the poor and the needy. My joy and fufillment comes from the smiles that I put on the faces of people. My job today is largely coursed by my zeal to prevent people from experiencing my kind of bad past.
I sincerely appreciate my bosses and my friend at work
I have a fan club; the Ben200 fan club which is a subsidiary of the Ben200 foundation. They have an exco which helps in the running of the charity and community service angle of my life. I help source for jobs for people, I also help on health issues. My key project is the Buckle my shoe project under this project I help with the purchase and distribution of school sandals to students.
I also hold monthly Youth For Youth Dialogue as a project to promote discussion among young people and leadership .

Why did you choose your current career path?

My first appearance on radio was in 2002 in katsina, I was put on companion radio to do radio request and weekend music shows. Later I moved on to do the daily pidgin breakfast show.l i did that until 2003 when i left to join the National Museum as a public Relations officer. in 2015 i was back on radio again as an OAP in Nigeria Info FM Abuja. this time for a very serious and deliberate carrier.
I chose the name Ben 200 half human half amazing because I did not want my son andanyoth

Any mentors in life?

My mentors are majorly local: Mr Ebere Young is an MC and renowned Nigerian broadcaster and he has helped me in my career. Eugenia Abu has had a strong influence on my life. I also respect Howard Stern and Jamie Foxx, strong radio influences for me. I am a strong deciple of Steve Harvey.

Could you share some of future goals in life with us?

I hope someday to own a book publishing company. I am an author but writing and selling our books have been very difficult. I am prepped to help this segment of the industry to meet global standards. I also hope to own an NGO that will help young and hurt journalists to get justice. Three is so much I want to do. I take life one step at a time.
I want to do a lot of thing before I leave this world. I love life but I am not afraid of death. I am planning to try a different field, I am considering tailoring. I am hoping to write a great book of biographies and anchoring an event at the world stage.

What are some of the projects you are working on now?

I am currently working out my role as a brand ambassador to some organisations. I have just been named brand ambassador for the prince Osisioma foundation which helps to support the weak and vulnerable in the society. It fits into what I traditionally would do o I am comfortable doing it.
I have lot of projects in the offing. My facebook page ben200Halfhumanhalfamazing is also dedicate to hearing information about vacancies and opportunities for Scholarships. I get distress calls on a daily basis from people who need help with as little as five thousand naira or fifteen for their drivers licence. I really wish I can help everyone on my list. It is a long one and many there are angry and frustrated.
I will advice everyone who can do something to try to help. Life is short and the memories we leave behind will constitute the books and stories that future Crusaders will build the struggles upon. Love life. Leave it to the fullest.