This's me!

“BUSH DIDN'T GROOM ME”

--- Pat Reuben, the TV guy

Who is Pat Reuben?

Pat Reuben is a graduate of Fine and Industrial Arts. I'm from Etinan. I'm into TV broadcasting and entertainment. I admire Journalism a great deal, even though I don't get into full time writing. 

Whenever Pat Reuben is mentioned the first thing that comes into one's mind is “oh, the Bush House guy!” Is it that Michael Bush groomed you or he just met you as a good TV guy?

I cut my teeth with Michael Bush, but I wouldn't say Michael Bush groomed me. I had the interest, but Bush had that influence and that touch on me. But I think I have been able to carve a different identity for myself. In a very humble way I want to say that I appreciate the contributions of Michael Bush to my making.

Outside programme presentations on TV, what else are you into?

I emcee in weddings and other ceremonies, mostly on weekends

What impact has TV brought to your life?

I don't want to talk about fame. It has brought a lot of goodwill.

TV brings along fame and glamour and I know the women are attracted to this kind of things. What's your relationship with women?

I've been able to relate with women as smooth as I can. My job is capital intensive, and you know if you go after women you also need to spend money. So, either you go for your job or you go for the women. And of course, you must choose your job.

Does one really need to spend money so as to love and be loved?

There's a common saying that there is no romance without finance. Love doesn't necessary has to do with money spending, but if I love you I will have to spend the money.

Do you see yourself as a sex symbol?

(Laughter). Far from that. I know being a TV man comes with a lot of attractions, but it's not every TV man that is handsome, most times this thing could be very artificial.

Let's talk about your current TV programme.

It's called Branded ; it's aired on NTA Uyo. We even fuse in political issues to make it entertaining. It's a 30 minutes programme. And for the content, we have Score Board which is a Sport catalogue. We have All4One which is a soapbox. We have Rhythm of Soul - musical, and then there is The Brand , a weekly profile. We also have Pat Reuben live , a segment that deals on issues of the heart, like why partners in relationships cheat.

When a lady rebuffs a man, and then describes the man as being a typical Uyo guy, what does she mean?

Eh, I have had cause to tell a lot of women that if they know that Uyo is a small place, then they shouldn't be doing so many (terrible) things. My apologies, please!

But this has nothing to do with the smallness of the town. “Uyo guy” has something to do with personality, and not the town.

I know it is a behavioural thing. But it has to do with mindset.

Are the young men here getting enough romance?

This should be an individual thing. But are the women even romantic themselves? When you are talking about romance in Uyo, I think a lot of people are myopic about it. I see lots of relationships break up for little things.

How is the broadcast and entertainment industry in Akwa Ibom?

The patronage is low. We are not making the kind of money we would have made if we were to be in a place like Lagos .

If you want to contact Pat Reuben, please call +234-8023574635 or +234-8061303640 .