Ubi Franklin

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Ubi Franklin
Ubi Franklin, at the launch of InstantPickup in 2017
Born
Ubi Ekapong Ofem

(1986-02-02) 2 February 1986 (age 38)
Alma materMadonna University
Occupation(s)Music manager, investor, event planner, promoter
Websiteinstantpickupapp.com

Ubi Franklin, born Ubi Ekapong Ofem, is a Nigerian music artist manager, politician, entrepreneur, TV show host and the founder of record label Made Men Music Group (Triple MG) and Instant Apartment. Franklin is the current Special Adviser to Cross River State Governor Benedict Ayade on Tourism.

Early and personal life[edit]

Ubi Franklin was born in Cross River State, Nigeria on 2 February 1986.[1] He is the 11th of 15 children. He had his primary and secondary education in Calabar, after which he studied law at the University Madonna Nigeria.[2]

On 1 November 2015, Ubi Franklin married Nigerian actress Lilian Esoro.[3] Their son Jayden, was born on 17 July 2016.[4] Presently, he has four children, two daughters (Zaneta and Ariella) and two sons (Jayden and Shiloh). Franklin admitted that from July 2016 to March 2017, he struggled to overcome bouts of depression which almost led him to commit suicide.[1]

He was almost killed by a man at a furniture store in Lagos, but by the quick intervention of his cousin, he was saved. The attacker was eventually arrested.[5]

Career[edit]

Franklin worked as an assistant to Julius Agwu before going on to work with AY Makun and other artists. He then worked promoting shows. In 2010, he became Iyanya's manager before the song "kukere" was released, which became a hit.[6] In 2014, when the label had expanded, other artists, including Tekno, Emma Nyra, and Selebobo were signed.[7]

In 2016, Franklin was named City People Music Awards' Music Manager of the Year.[8] In July 2017, he launched Instant Pickup, an online service that offers instant home pickup and delivery of laundry. He also launched Instant Apartment, an online platform that offers luxury apartments for rent same year. In October 2018, he launched Instant Ryde, an online taxi service in his home town Calabar, Cross River state and Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.[9][10]

In 2020, Ubi Franklin was appointed as Special Adviser on Tourism by Cross River State Governor Benedict Ayade.[11]

Franklin is also a public speaker. He was a speaker at the Youth Enterprise Conference organised by Nairabet's founder, Otunba Akin Alabi.[12] He also shared stage with chairman of First Bank, Ibukun Awosika, and Veteran Nollywood Actor Richard Mofe Damijo at the Hub Business Conference organised by Commonwealth of Zion Assembly.[13]

Philanthropy[edit]

In 2017, Ubi Franklin launched the 'Ubi Franklin Startup fund', a platform to fund existing business ideas and plans. Through the fund, he has supported several businesses in Nigeria with startup capital and funds.[14][15]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Ubi Franklin biography". Retrieved 6 September 2017.[dead link]
  2. ^ "Ubi Franklin biography". 21 August 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  3. ^ "Ubi Franklin wedding to Lilian Esoro". 9 November 2015. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Ubi Franklin son's birthday". 17 July 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  5. ^ "Ubi Franklin almost attacked". 10 May 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  6. ^ "How Iyanya's 'Kukere' made me my first million - Ubi Franklin". 20 April 2018.
  7. ^ "Ubi Franklin career". Archived from the original on 6 September 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  8. ^ "Ubi Franklin awards and recognition". 7 August 2017. Retrieved 6 September 2017.
  9. ^ "CHARITY BEGINS AT HOME: UBI FRANKLIN LAUNCHES ONLINE TAXI COMPANY 'INSTANT RYDE' IN CALABAR". 8 October 2018.
  10. ^ "Ubi Franklin Launches Instantryde In Calabar - P.M. News". www.pmnewsnigeria.com.
  11. ^ Oduah, Henry (15 January 2020). "Ben Ayade appoints Ubi Franklin SA on Tourism".
  12. ^ "#YECO2018: Akin Alabi Shut Down Eko Hotel With Youth Conference". 31 March 2018.
  13. ^ "The Hub 2018 – Business and Success Conference". Archived from the original on 25 November 2018. Retrieved 25 November 2018.
  14. ^ "Ubi Franklin Launches Start-up Fund | Find out how to Get N500,000 for your Business". 5 May 2017.
  15. ^ "Apply For Ubi Franklin's Startup Fund To Stand A Chance of Winning N500,000". 9 May 2017.