a.m Express, the best thing to have hit the television recently is rocking over 30 million viewers across Nigeria and the promoters of the early morning breakfast show of the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) network are happy about it.
The show is a combination of a variety of programming on NTA and serves as a platform for various network centers of the NTA to feature the culture, lifestyle and places in Nigeria, real-time.
The show made its debut on November 25, 2002 and has since become the flagship of all breakfast programmes in Nigeria.
It is broadcast from 6:30 – 9:00am daily.
a.m Express originated in Lagos and for three years, was transmitted only from the Lagos network center of the NTA. Today it has grown in leaps and bounds and is phenomenal.
Eleven zones of the NTA contribute to the programme. These include Lagos, Abuja, Benin, Port-Harcourt, Enugu, Kaduna, Jos, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Ibadan and Makurdi.
Daily broadcasts are limited to five stations with Lagos and Abuja as constant contributors.
It is designed in such a way, to originate from a particular station everyday, which then hooks up other stations for their contributions.
a.m Express boasts of a wide range of segments. It starts with ‘Food for Thought’, which is meant to stimulate everyone’s psyche and make one face the day with a positive attitude and healthy mind.
The aerobics section on the other hand, is created to help individuals develop a healthy body.
The business segment covers such areas as the Banking sub-sector, Stock Exchange, Real Estate, Oil and Gas.
The entertainment segment highlights the Nigerian music scene, art and craft from Nigeria, sports, life and leisure and health tips while the Metropolis segment gives information on land and air traffic situation across the states.
News from the originating zone and newspaper reviews are also included to keep the populace well informed.
The show features interviews and discussions with experts and influential personalities in the society in order to highlight their contributions in nation and capacity building in Nigeria.
a.m digest is a social diary that covers live events and special occasions across the country and is a recent introduction into the show, being a brain child of Jimmy Atte, executive director of Programmes, NTA.
Mrs. Felicia Ema, assistant director of programmes, Lagos Network Center, said "a.m Express is an NTA programme with the major objective of promoting the positive aspect of the Nigerian culture, highlighting the beauty and diversity in the customs of the people."
According to her, the show offers a unique blend of programme types on all aspects of human endeavour, ranging from business matters, socials and entertainment; adding that it has never failed for one day and has the prospects of out-living its developers, if well nurtured.
Popular faces on the programme include, the legendary Yinka Craig, Mariam Anazodo, Thelma Obaze, Techla Wilkie, Tony Ajibosin, Jumai Yusuf, Deborah Agboola, among others.
But dearth in equipment, funding, availability of guests, are identified as the challenges encountered in the course of producing the show.
a.m Express is a recipient of numerous international and local awards among which are the NUJ, Abuja Council award for the promotion of African culture and freedom of speech; the 2005 U.S Commercial Service awards in support of the CTO event; the 2004 CMA awards as the most popular breakfast show on TV; the 2004 ministry of culture and tourism award for excellent performance.