Page 47 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 2

In this issue, we have the That’s so beautiful. So how did and distributing high quality and
privilege of speaking with Deji the journey lead you to setting God-filled Kingdom creative
Irawo, Chief Responsibility up X2D (that was in 2009?) expressions for Africa from Africa
Officer of X2DTV; a television An uncle of mine in 1991 who is and the Diaspora.
channel that is intentionally into media helped me identify my Obviously, it’s a journey of faith.
crafted to provide wholesome gift, that I had a voice that would Everyone told us 11 years ago that
and clean family entertainment be great for media, so I interned a purely gospel entertainment TV
devoid of nudity, violence and with him before I got into university show will not be funded because
offensive language for the and that began my journey into it was not selling airtime to pastors
entire family. X2DTV content core media. A passion I kept to preach, but today God has
has been carefully produced fanning during my university days, helped us to run as a 24 hour
and screened to adequately my National Youth Service Corp gospel entertainment channel on
entertain, educate and inform. (NYSC) was a Plateau Radio networks like Play TV, Kwese TV
The channel appeals to a largely Television Corporation (PRTVC) and Star Times (Lagos network).
youthful and urban audience in Jos. Operating funds, few Kingdom
Afrika. When I returned to Lagos, I got minded creative persons,
Deji inspired us with his fresh the opportunity to present and advertising from corporate
simplicity in trusting God and produce a gospel show on Star FM organizations are some of the
following the Word he heard 101.5 in Lagos and that thrust me regular challenges we face at X2D.
spoken concerning the use of into pursuing media as a career.
his gifts and talents. On my way back from Jos after my We certainly understand that
NYSC, I heard the audible voice firsthand. What keeps you
of God instructing me to use my going?
Please tell us about Deji Irawo; talents for God-focused and family What keeps me going is that
who you are, what you stand for, friendly media projects. I believe it’s a Kingdom assignment and
what you do. Really whatever that was the foundation of my not a business, so I have to
the Holy Spirit places in your passion for working on various God stay connected to God who is
heart to share with us. inspired media projects like: praise the owner of the vision to be
My name is Omooba Deji Irawo; singers on NTA 2 channel 5, Time encouraged, find solutions and
my father is the Oba (king) of Odi Inspirational TV, Dove Music and develop new innovations. Failure
Olowo in Lagos, Nigeria. I see Vision Channel Manager, Channel is not an option, we have to impact
myself as a Kingdom ambassador manager for the Hi Life channel on and influence Africa’s youthful
on earth, one dedicated to the HITV and eventually X2DTV. population for the Kingdom, so
enthronement of the purposes we keep moving and creating God
of God on the earth. I carry out So, is X2DTV your own creation? directed ideas and relationships to
various Kingdom assignments It’s a God creation I have the achieve the objective.
across the spheres of influence privilege of overseeing.
ranging from family to media, X2DTV recently delved into
creativity, education, governance, We like that. Please share with Christian family TV shows, what
church etc. us the story of its genesis and do you think is the most critical
where you find yourselves challenge in the family of today
So in a way you have two today. and how can we address it?
fathers who are kings ... Do you Xclusive 2 Divinity is God’s idea Africa like the rest of the world is
find that the earthly helps you to create a Kingdom media raising dysfunctional males and
understand the Heavenly better expression that uses the creative females who go ahead to marry
or vice versa? arts and entertainment to spread and raise children who continue
Exactly, I take my fundamental the mandate of the Kingdom from the cycle of dysfunction. We are
identity from God the Father, which an African perspective to a global losing our values and churning
empowers me to understand my audience. It’s urban in nature out immature, irresponsible and
positioning as a prince on earth as and is aimed at influencing this entitled young people who lack the
well. So, yes, being royalty both generation and families across capacity to lead themselves and
ways helps you put the Kingdom Africa for Christ. their families. So it’s a parenting
narrative in perspective. Like crisis we have. People who are
Pastor Bill Johnson will say, ‘you Today we find ourselves being becoming parents now are ill
rule with the heart of a servant and at the forefront of creating a equipped to raise balanced and
serve with the heart of a king.’ Kingdom entertainment alternative successful children in our societies
to worldly pop culture with the in Africa. The solution is to ensure
aim of producing, aggregating that we strengthen all our social

HEALING - RESTORING - REBIRTHING - AFRICA