Reality TV star Neo Akpofure has shared how a chance meeting with music mogul Don Jazzy ten years ago became a defining moment in his life.
On Instagram, Neo recounted that he was unexpectedly selected as the winner of MTV Base’s trivia competition, “A Day with Don Jazzy”, a decade ago. Although university exams prevented him from traveling to South Africa for the award show, the Lagos meeting with Don Jazzy and the ₦500,000 he received left a lasting impression.
“That single encounter changed my life. It made me believe that I could truly be whoever I wanted to be. It reignited a fire in me that no circumstance could put out,” Neo wrote.
He further reflected on the experience:
“Destiny may know my name, but grace has never failed to find me in moments of doubt and uncertainty. Ten years ago, at a time when I questioned so much about my future, I was randomly selected out of thousands as the winner of the MTV Base ‘A Day with Don Jazzy’ @mtnng trivia. I had spent just N60 answering questions about Don Jazzy, not knowing that those few clicks would open a door I never imagined.“The prize was an all-expense-paid trip with Don Jazzy and the Mavin crew to South Africa for an award show. Unfortunately, I couldn’t make it because of my exams at Unical. Yet, God still showed up for me. I was flown to Lagos to meet Don Jazzy, and to my shock, I was given a ₦500,000 compensation.”
Expressing gratitude, Neo added, “Today, a decade later, I look back with so much gratitude. To my @donjazzy, who without even knowing, re-inspired my dreams—thank you. To God, who has kept every promise He made to me—thank you. I am a living testimony that when grace speaks, destiny listens.”
Don Jazzy responded warmly to Neo’s post, writing: “Bro GOD got you. You are destined for greatness. Everybody I know that knows you always has amazing things to say about you. Makes me happy and I’m proud to have a line or 2 in your book. More blessings ahead.”
Neo, whose full name is Emuobonuvie Akpofure, later rose to wider fame as a housemate on Big Brother Naija Season 5 Lockdown in 2020. Known for his entertaining personality and his close bond with fellow contestant Vee, Neo was a 400-level student at the University of Calabar when he auditioned and was chosen as one of the 20 housemates for the season.