18th February, 2015
Eromosele Ebhomele
President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday appointed Obi Asika as Senior Special Assistant on Social Media. He replaces Reno Omokri.
He was born Obodoechina Ukpabi Asika on 3 October, 1968, and hails from Onitsha in Anambra State, eastern Nigeria.
Obi’s father, the late Anthony Ukpabi Asika (28 June 1936—14 September 2004), was Administrator of East Central State during the military regime of General Yakubu Gowon.
He is a 1990 Law Graduate of the University of Warwick and Chairman/CEO, Storm 360 Ltd from 2008 to 2012.
Asika worked as an executive producer on Big Brother Nigeria, Doctor’s Quarters, Dragons Den Nigeria, The Apprentice Africa, Calabar Rocks, Etisalat One Million Dollar Show, 100% Naija and Naija Sings.
In 2008 he was appointed Non-Executive Director of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), a position he occupies to date, and he is Founder/ Chairman of Dragon Africa.
He is married to Yetunde Bakare, a lawyer.
Meanwhile, minutes after the news broke out last night that Omokri had been replaced, Nigerians took to the different social media to jubilate and mock him.
Contrary to rumour that he was sacked, it was learnt that Omokri, who recently was fingered in a burglary case that involved the burglars stealing N25 million belonging to a group supporting the re-election bid of Jonathan, got demoted and replaced by Obi Asika.
Apart from this, a recent poll Omokri conducted between his boss and the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Muhammadu Buhari, saw Jonathan losing to Buhari. The poll was shut down in controversial circumstances.
It is however not known if his demotion is related to the growing controversies surrounding his person or if President Jonathan is simply not satisfied with his performance.
Many of those who took to Twitter last night urged him to dust his resume and start looking for another job.
Some even told him about some companies and banks in Nigeria which currently have vacancies for him to apply while some reminded him of how he blocked them for criticising him.
One of the respondents with the Twitter handle: ‘@ebuka_akara’ told him: “bros @renoomokri, Immigration and Union Bank are currently recruiting. Should I send you the link with the Fear of God?”
As the tweets became unbearable, Omokri asked while quoting the Bible: “ why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?”
But another respondent replied him: “because you are giving them rice instead of teaching them farming.” Another said: “I’m sure I don’t know. Moreover, it is of no consequence to me,” just as Tunde Hamed said: “you are now quoting Bible abi! Ur time is up Reno.”
A respondent by the handle ‘@DDJumare’ said: “today is Reno Omokri’s judgement day….GEJ has a way of rewarding his dogsýÿ Well, Doyin Okupe can continue barking before his time comes!”
Another told him: “bros, nobody is raging and imagining anything. If anything it is you who should rage and imagine a proper retirement for yourself!”
One said: “don’t blame pastor Reno, he hitherto forgot that nothing lasts forever, except those “danduala parfum.”
A respondent noted: “GEJ has 1. Reduced PMS to N87/ltr, 2. Postponed Elections, 3. Suspended OBJ, 4. Sacked Reno Omokri. What more do you want?”
A respondent by the handle: ‘@Lady_Deelicious’ mocked: “what am I hearing? Reno Omokri’s poll finally got him the axe? Is this true? Oh GEJ why? Oh why? People cry with me, I can’t do it aloneýÿ”
A respondent, Gbemi Oyebisi, noted: “last year Reno Omokri, aka Wendel Smillin, blocked me and now the Presidency has relieved and replaced him. God knows best.”
The tweets continued at the time of this report.