With elegance, composure, and an unmistakable charm behind the microphone, Lady Love, as she’s fondly known, has become a refreshing voice in Delta State’s event and media scene. Born Eguono Egigba, the teacher-turned-host has mastered the art of commanding attention with grace rather than noise, carving a niche for herself in the competitive, male-dominated world of event hosting.
In this interview with Rita Oyiboka, she talks about her transition from the classroom to the stage, the hurdles of being a female MC in a male-dominated industry, and her vision to build a media brand that reflects confidence, intelligence, and class.
Can we meet you, ma?
My name is Eguono Egigba. I’m fondly called Lady Love.
Why are you called that?
My name, Eguono, means Love. And so, growing up, some of my friends who were not Urhobo found my name a bit difficult to pronounce, especially when I travelled outside Delta State. They’d ask, “What’s your other name?” and I’d say, “I don’t have any other name apart from Eguono.” Then they’d ask, “What does it mean?” I’d say, “Love.” They’d reply, “Oh, Love! Love!” So the name “Love” just sort of stuck and spread everywhere. Then I thought, “Okay, I can adopt this as Lady Love.” That’s how the name came about.
Where are you from?
I’m actually from Ughelli North Local Government Area.
What do you do?
I’m a corporate event host and TV Presenter. I also do voiceovers and documentaries. I’m just a media girl trying to build a media brand.
What inspired this path? Is this something you’ve always wanted to do, or did you just find yourself in the media by chance?
Right from secondary school, I was always doing presentations and anchoring events. I always enjoyed it. As time went on, I realised that this was something I could actually do well, something I truly loved.
Through social media, I saw some people doing it and thought, “Why not me?” I’ve always loved the camera, loved standing in front of people, speaking and connecting. Thank God I discovered it, though I wish I had found it much earlier.
You mentioned that you discovered it late, even though you loved it from the beginning. What filled that vacuum in between? What was your educational background like? Did you do any other jobs before going into hosting full-time?
Yes, I’ve always been a teacher. Teaching is something I’ve loved, standing in front of people, talking, sharing knowledge and ideas. I even went for training and workshops. My educational background is in Education, specifically Geography Education, from Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka.
Can you take us back to your very first event, the first one you ever hosted? What went wrong, what went right, and what lesson stuck with you?
The first event I ever hosted was about two years ago. It was actually for a non-governmental organisation, a women’s group that I belong to. We organise an annual conference every year. The previous year, I wasn’t privileged to attend, but when I saw the flyers for the next one, I thought, “This is an opportunity for me to try something new.”
I reached out to the president and expressed my interest. She gave me the opportunity. When the day came, I did my thing, and it went well. But from that time till now, I’ve grown a lot. Of course, I made mistakes as a beginner; maybe not everyone noticed, but I knew I could have done better. I could have transitioned more smoothly between segments or used better words. I learnt from those mistakes and I’m still learning, I’m a work in progress, getting better by the day.
The MCing scene is mostly dominated by men. Have you ever struggled pitching yourself to clients because of your gender, or people doubting your ability as a woman?
Yes, I have. When it comes to this part of the media industry, hosting corporate or social events, it’s a male-dominated field. It’s not a walk in the park.
Some people, especially for social events, tend to prefer male MCs. Like I said earlier, I’m a corporate event host, though I’ve done a few social events. I’m more comfortable with corporate events; that’s my style.
That doesn’t mean I’ll stay in my comfort zone forever. Social events require so much energy. For example, someone once asked if I could host a wedding. I said, “I’ve never done it, but I think I can.” The person said, “Are you sure? Can you hype and tell jokes? Can you do this or that?” Because most wedding receptions in Nigeria now require the MC to also be the hype man. With my soft voice, people often wonder if I can do that.
But I tell them I’d rather do luxury social events, the ones that are calm and classy, not noisy. Maybe when the right client comes for that kind of event, I’ll take it.
Breaking even in this male-dominated field isn’t easy, but I keep pitching myself because I know what I can offer. I believe the right clients will see that. I’m not intimidated, and I don’t get angry anymore when people question my capability.
You said you don’t do much of social events like weddings and birthdays. Are social events harder than corporate ones?
To be honest, yes, social events are harder and more demanding. Whether it’s a birthday, a wedding, or even a funeral service, they require so much energy.
That’s not to say corporate events are easy; both are challenging. It’s like picking your poison; both are hard, but I prefer the corporate kind of “hard”.
Corporate events have structure, protocols to follow. Social events have no fixed structure; anything can happen. You could suddenly be expected to dance or crack jokes. Some people don’t understand the difference between the types, so they expect the same thing from every MC.
How do you mentally prepare before stepping on stage? And do you think an MC should be spontaneous or well-rehearsed?
To be excellent at what you do as a host, you have to study a lot. You have to read, ask questions, the right questions.
Mentally, I do a lot of preparation: reading, writing, and researching. I engage my clients deeply. Some might say, “Just do your thing,” but I insist on getting a brief. I also do my own research, even writing bios for guest speakers and merging them with client information to make my introductions interesting.
So yes, the mental work is intense; it’s much more than the outfit or makeup.
Speaking of outfits and makeup, some people say female MCs are picked more for their looks than their talent. What’s your take on that? And have you ever faced any inappropriate remarks during your work?
I don’t agree with that. Of course, looks are good, being attractive draws attention, but I don’t think people choose MCs solely for that. I believe your performance and value speak louder than your looks.
While looking good shows that you take your work seriously, I’d rather invest more in my skills and service delivery.
And no, so far, I haven’t experienced any inappropriate remarks or advances.
What’s been your most memorable event so far?
That would be the town hall meeting for women in politics in Delta State, organised by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Girl-Child Development, Orode Uduaghan.
It was memorable because, beyond having fun, I learnt a lot, met influential women, and networked widely. That event still warms my heart each time I think of it.
In this digital age, every professional needs a digital presence. How has that been for you?
Honestly, I’m still navigating that space. The media is a great tool, but I haven’t been consistent in documenting my jobs properly. I have clips scattered all over social media, but not a well-organised portfolio.
Someone once asked for links to my past jobs, and I didn’t have a complete video to share. That’s one area I’m working to improve because people want to see evidence of your work. I’ve realised that presentation matters, and investing in proper media documentation is essential.
You’ve been in this space for about two years now. What advice would you give to women just starting as professional hosts?
Be specific about what you want to do. There are many types of events; find where your strength lies.
If you have the energy and vibe for social events, do that and excel. If corporate is your strength, focus there. But whichever you choose, go in prepared and unafraid.
Don’t wait for everything to be perfect, just start. Don’t wait for people to call you; sometimes, pitch yourself. It may be tough, but keep putting yourself out there. By God’s grace, you’ll get there.
Is hosting lucrative? Or do you need to branch into other things? And do you still teach?
Hosting is lucrative, but the value placed on it depends on the region. Here, people don’t value it as much as in commercial cities like Lagos or Abuja.
When I tell people my rate, they often think it’s too high. But I tell them hosting isn’t just about talking, it’s about knowing what to say and how to say it. The MC is the life wire of an event.
Many people don’t plan properly and just call any random person, but a professional MC makes a huge difference. That’s why I use social media to educate people on the value of hiring a professional host.
Sometimes I even volunteer, especially if I love the event or see it as an opportunity to showcase my skills.
Apart from hosting, I’m also a serial entrepreneur. I do different things. You can’t put all your eggs in one basket, especially in today’s Nigeria.
Being an MC means being constantly on stage and meeting new people. Have you ever had stage fright?
The truth is, every MC experiences stage fright at the beginning, no matter how seasoned they are. But we learn to overcome it quickly.
At first, you might feel your heart racing, but with constant practice, you get used to it. Repetition really builds confidence.
When you’re not working, how do you unwind?
Family. Spending time with my family and children is my best way to unwind. Sometimes I just go out, have a few drinks, relax, and enjoy the moment.
What are some of your long-term goals in the media industry?
I intend to take my hosting career to the national and international stage, across Africa and beyond. If you can dream it, you can do it.
I also plan to start a TV show, something I’m already working on. I want to explore the media world fully.
Finally, what advice would you give to people hiring MCs? What should they look out for?
The value of your event depends on the kind of MC you hire. Don’t just pick someone because they can shout or seem lively.
A professional MC gives your event structure and life. They know what to say, how to say it, and how to transition smoothly. You must have attended events where the MC said things that made you cringe; that’s what happens when you hire the wrong person.
So, if you want your event to be memorable and successful, hire someone professional, intelligent, and prepared, not just a pretty face or a popular name. Even if the person is new, as long as they’re ready and passionate, they can deliver.
If you value your event, hire a valuable MC.
