NIGERIAN PUBLIC SELECTS AIGBODION IZIEN AND NNENNA UDEH FOR COVETED PARTS IN SHUGA

The MTV Staying Alive Foundation and MTV Base have revealed that Aigbodion Izien and Nnenna Udeh have won coveted roles in Shuga after winning an online vote to find up-and-coming Nigerian acting talent for the acclaimed sex-and-relationships drama.

Aigbodion Izien (24), who has previously had roles in Echoes, Last 3 Digits will play the spokesperson to a top musician, while Nnenna Udeh (27), who formerly appeared in Tinsel, will interpret the role of an HIV counsellor in series 3 of Shuga, which is being directed by “Half of a Yellow Sun” director,Biyi Bandele.

Aigbodion Izien

The two actors will join the stellar cast which includes Maria Okanrende (@MariaOkan), Tiwa Savage (@TiwaSavage), Dorcas Shola Fapson(@MsD_Labelle), Okezie Morro (@okeziemorro), Chris Attoh (@ChrisAttoh), Emmanuel Ikubese (@Twit9con), Nick Mutuma (@nickmutuma),Leonora Okine (@LeonoraOkine), Sharon Chisom Ezeamaka (@SharonEzeamaka), James Timini Egbuson (@_Timini), Kachi Nnochiri(@kachi213), Olumide Oworu (@Lumi_D), Ugbeye Owumi (@delish106), Sani Mu’azu, Bikiya Graham-Douglas (@BikiyaGB), KC Ejelonu(@KcEjelonu), Efa Iwara (@E2DFA), Don Flexy, Ehis Okoeguale (@SpecialSlim), Silo Emem Bankole and Charles Ukpong.

Fusing sexual health messaging with gripping storylines, Shuga is part of a powerful 360-degree mass media campaign designed to raise awareness about HIV prevention and teen pregnancy in Nigeria.  Key themes covered by the series will include: living with HIV; disclosing your status; getting tested; condom use; gender based violence; gender equality; women’s empowerment; family planning; teen pregnancy; transactional sex; multiple concurrent partners; stigma and discrimination of people living with HIV; and parent/child relationships/communication.

Nnenna Udeh

Commented Biyi Bandele, ”I’ve been blown away by the level of talent and professionalism that we have been discovering in Nigeria and I am delighted to welcome Nnenna and Aigbodion onto the cast of Shuga and to give this opportunity to showcase their talent in this high stakes drama.”

Izien and Udah won their parts after beating Bukky Babalola (Hills and the Valleys, Accident), Olatimehim Blessing (Lady Gaga), Duke Elvis(The Johnsons, Murder at Prime Suite, The Chief Servant, Time of Our Lives, Man in the Mirror) and Lekan Olofinji (Man in the Mirror, Her Proposal) in the online contest, conducted at www.shuga.tv.

Shuga – Lagos will premiere on MTV Base (GOtv Plus channel 72) on 1 December 2013 (World AIDS Day) and will subsequently air on multiple TV and digital platforms around the world.

To register your views on the Shuga cast; please go to www.Shuga.TV, like Shuga on www.facebook.com/MTVShuga; or follow Shuga on Twitter@MTVShuga.

Shuga is produced by MTV Base and the MTV Staying Alive Foundation in collaboration with NACA; the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; and UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund).  PEPFAR (The US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) has also expressed a commitment to join forces with the campaign.