{{Short description|Nigerian broadcaster, film producer and actor}} {{Use Nigerian English|date=September 2024}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}} {{Infobox person | name = Mabel Akomu Oboh | image = Mabel Oboh.jpg | caption = | other_names = Mabel Oboh | birth_name = | birth_date = 18 April 1964 | birth_place = Lagos State, Nigeria | death_date = | death_place = | education = Degree in Criminology. | alma_mater = Buckinghamshire New University | occupation = Broadcaster, journalist, actress, producer, director | children = 3 | parents = Major Humphrey, Etafo Oboh and the late Mrs Comfort }} '''Mabel Akomu Oboh''', popularly known as '''Mabel Oboh''' is a Nigerian politician, broadcaster,<ref>{{cite news|title=Mabel Oboh becomes ADC spokesperson|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/mabel-oboh-becomes-adc-spokesperson/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|date=18 January 2020|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=The Nation}}</ref> actress, film producer<ref>{{cite news|date=18 April 2022|title=Mabel Oboh: Celebrating an achiever's birthday|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/04/mabel-oboh-celebrating-an-achievers-birthday/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|last=Chukwudi|first=Precious|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref> and founder Mabeloboh Center For Save Our Stars (MOCSOS). She is the first television film independent producer/director and the second female soap opera producer in Nigeria with her drama series titled ''Victims'' that later became a network productions in the '80s on Nigerian Television Authority.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 May 2019|last=Njoku|first=Benjamin|title=Mabel Oboh set to remarry|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/05/mabel-oboh-set-to-remarry/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref><ref name=auto>{{cite news|date=21 October 2018|title=Men were my greatest headache as broadcaster|last1=Ajirire|first1=Tosin|last2=Igbava|first2=Precious|url=https://thesun.ng/men-were-my-greatest-headache-as-broadcaster/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=The Sun}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=8 February 2020|title=Ex-boxing champion, Peter Oboh thumbs up for actress sister|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/02/ex-boxing-champion-peter-oboh-thumbs-up-for-actress-sister/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=4 February 2018|title=Sisters launch SaveourStars campaign|url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/sisters-launch-saveourstars-campaign/|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Nigerian Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=12 May 2018|last=Augoye|first=Jayne|title=Nigerian reggae star undergoing surgery cries for help|url=https://www.premiumtimesng.com/entertainment/naija-fashion/268142-nigerian-reggae-star-undergoing-surgery-cries-for-help.html|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Premium Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=9 September 2017|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/09/27-years-afterveteran-actress-mabel-oboh-plans-return-nollywood/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=27 years after, veteran actress Mabel Oboh plans to return to Nollywood|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref>
==Early life== Mabel Oboh hails from Edo State, Nigeria. She was born in Lagos into the family of the late Major Humphrey Etafo Oboh and the late Mrs Comfort Oboh. She is an alumna of Buckinghamshire New University where she had her degree in Criminology.<ref>{{cite news|date=25 April 2020|title=Mabel Oboh takes another bold step in politics|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/04/mabel-oboh-takes-another-bold-step-in-politics/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|last=Njoku|first=Benjamin|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref><ref name=atm>{{cite news|title=Mabel Oboh Honoured in Ajegunle|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/mabel-oboh-honoured-ajegunle/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|date=23 September 2017|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=The Nation}}</ref>
==Career== Oboh started her career in the entertainment industry in the early 80s after her training in cinematograph, stage craft, speech and drama. She became the second female independent producer and director in Nigeria with her drama series titled ''Victims'' that later became a network productions in the '80s and was aired on Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). In the year 2000, she became the first chat show hostess 'Chat with Mabel' on NTA Network Service.<ref name=auto/><ref name=atm/><ref>{{cite news|date=2 June 2019|title=How I found love again|url=https://thesun.ng/how-i-found-love-again/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=The Sun}}</ref>{{rs|date=March 2026}}<ref>{{cite journal|last=Betiang|first=Liwhu|date=20 January 2004|title=Global Drums and Local Masquerades: Fifty Years of Television Broadcasting in Nigeria: 1959-2009|journal=SAGE Open |volume=3 |issue=4 |doi=10.1177/2158244013515685|s2cid=145592151|doi-access=free}}</ref>
She joined NTA in the 1990s as a news correspondent to the Lagos State house, before working with United Nations and later left UN and joined British Embassy in Poland in the commercial and Visa sections.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 March 2020|last=Ajirire|first=Tosin|title=Actress Mabel Oboh condoles Ben Bruce over wife's death|url=https://thesun.ng/actress-mabel-oboh-condoles-ben-bruce-over-wifes-death/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=The Sun}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thepointng.com/my-father-had-unconditional-love-for-my-mother-mabel-oboh/|date=22 February 2019|last=Dike|first=Matthew|title=My father had unconditional love for my mother|work=The Point|access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref>
Oboh donated the first music studio in Agegunle; Owned by her brother John Oboh, aka mighty mouse who created the Ajegunle beat genre in 1991. Her contribution helped to discover and produce Daddy Showkey, Daddy Fresh, Baba Fryo, African China, Danfo Drivers and Marvelous Benji. She was given a recognition award in 2017 by AJ to the world.<ref>{{cite news|date=22 September 2017|title=I feel honoured role played grooming talents Ajegunle Mabel Oboh|last=Njoku|first=Benjamin|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/09/feel-honoured-role-played-grooming-talents-ajegunle-mabel-oboh/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref><ref name=atm/><ref>{{cite news|title=How Daddy Showkey, Daddy Fresh, Baba Fryo became stars|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/09/daddy-showkey-daddy-fresh-baba-fryo-became-stars/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|date=16 September 2017|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref> She is an awardee of Nigerian Books of Record<ref>{{cite news|title=Celebrating Excellence and Achievements|url=https://dailytimesng.com/celebrating-excellence-and-achievements/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|date=17 June 2021|last=Grace|first=Ihesiulo|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Daily Times}}</ref> and In 2023, she received Yessiey Award as 'Media Personality of the year'.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ex-Edo Governorship Candidate, Mabel Oboh Bags Yessiey Award|url=https://leadership.ng/mabel-oboh-elena-maroulleti-yemisi-shyllon-dinah-lugard-others-bag-inaugural-yessiey-award/|last=Emmanson|first=Jerry|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Leadership}}</ref>
==Politics== In 2020, Oboh joined ADC and becoming the party public spokesperson of African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Lagos State.<ref>{{cite news|date=23 April 2020|title=ADC fault lasgs acceptance of China donation|url=https://www.independent.ng/adc-faults-lasgs-acceptance-of-chinas-donations/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|last=Abiaziem|first=Chinyere|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Independent}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=18 May 2020|title=Edo ADC chair Chris ineghedion wins party DNA award|url=https://thesun.ng/edo-adc-chair-chris-ineghedion-wins-partys-dna-award/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=The Sun}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=18 January 2020|title=Mabel Oboh delves into politics, becomes ADC spokesperson|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/01/mabel-oboh-delves-into-politics-becomes-adc-spokesperson/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|last=Njoku|first=Benjamin|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=16 March 2020|title=Day actress Mabel Oboh met Obasanjo|url=https://thesun.ng/day-actress-mabel-oboh-met-obasanjo/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=The Sun}}</ref>
She was an aspirant on the platform of African Democratic Congress in the 2020 Edo State gubernatorial election.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/09/edo-2020-meet-candidates-for-edos-gubernatorial-election|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Edo 2020: Meet candidates for Edo's gubernatorial election|last=Aliu|first=Ozioruva|date=18 September 2020|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref>
Oboh became the gubernatorial candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 19 September 2020, governorship election in Edo State. She defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after coming fourth in the 2020 Edo State gubernatorial election.<ref>{{cite news|date=16 May 2021|title=Edo ADC guber candidate dumps party for PDP|access-date=16 September 2024|url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/edo-adc-guber-candidate-dumps-party-for-pdp/|last=Ogunyemi|first=Ifedayo|newspaper=Nigerian Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Has Mabel Oboh dumped ADC for PDP|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2021/04/has-mabel-oboh-dumped-adc-for-pdp/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|date=13 April 2021|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=21 September 2020|title=Edo election results|url=https://www.inecnigeria.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Edo-2020-Election-Result-10f2-1.jpg|website=inecnigeria.org|access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref>
In 2022, she returned back to African Democratic Congress (ADC) and was appointed the Party National Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Secretary where she would be relating with the electorate.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2022/07/adcs-natl-chairman-ralph-nwosu-welcomes-mabel-oboh-to-head-diversity-and-inclusion/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=ADC's Nat'l Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, welcomes Mabel Oboh to head Diversity and Inclusion|date=25 July 2022|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://thesun.ng/passion-to-serve-nigerians-made-me-to-return-to-adc-says-mabel-oboh/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|last=Lucky|first=Ighomuaye|title=Passion to serve Nigerians made me to return to ADC, says Mabel Oboh|date=23 July 2022|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=The Sun}}</ref>
In 2023, she was appointed executive board member, media, and international relations of Conservatives Friends of Africa Scotland, UK (CFoAfricaScotland) and African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Publicity Secretary of the party.<ref>{{cite news|date=17 June 2023|title=ADC stakeholders strategise, harp on party unity|url=https://tribuneonlineng.com/adc-stakeholders-strategise-harp-on-party-unity/|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Nigerian Tribune}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=28 April 2023|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2023/04/mabel-oboh-appointed-board-member-of-conservatives-friends-of-africa-scotland/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Mabel Oboh appointed board member of Conservatives Friends of Africa Scotland|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref>
In 2025, She was appointed as the Director of Communications for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) Lagos State<ref>{{cite news|url=https://businessday.ng/politics/article/2027-adc-to-engage-grassroots-mobilization-for-stronger-presence-in-lagos-oboh/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Adc To Engage Grassroots Mobilization For Stronger Presence In Lagos|last=|first=|date=12 September 2025|access-date=16 December 2025|newspaper=BusinessDay}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://independent.ng/oboh-celebrates-adcs-promise-for-equal-opportunities-for-women-youth/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Oboh Celebrates Adcs Promise For Equal Opportunities For Women Youth|last=|first=|date=10 September 2025|access-date=16 December 2025|newspaper=Independent}}</ref> before becoming the ADC South-South Zonal Publicity Secretary and A Member of ADC Edo State and Zonal Leadership Team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thesun.ng/adc-unveils-south-south-drive-oyegun-osunbor-igbinoba-lead-call-for-change/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Adc Unveils South South Drive Oyegun Osunbor Igbinoba Lead Call For Change|last=|first=|date=10 September 2025|access-date=16 December 2025|newspaper=The Sun}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2025/12/01/adc-edo-state-unveiling-south-south-zone-executives-showcase-strong-commitment/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Adc Edo State Unveiling South South Zone Executives Showcase Strong Commitment|last=|first=|date= 2 December 2025|access-date=16 December 2025|newspaper=P.M. News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://pmnewsnigeria.com/2025/12/30/adc-edo-mabel-oboh-inaugurated-as-a-member-of-adc-edo-leadership-team/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|title=Adc Edo Mabel Oboh Inaugurated As A Member Of Adc Edo leadership Team|last=|first=|date= 2 December 2025|access-date=26 December 2025|newspaper=P.M. News}}</ref>
==Mocsos== She founded the Mabel Oboh Centre for Save our Stars (MOCSOS), with the sole aim of catering to the health needs of Nigerian entertainers. The foundation has assisted Yellow Banton and Sadiq Daba.<ref>{{cite news|last=Ojoye|first=Taiwo|date=9 September 2018|title=Reggae star, Yellow Banton, bounces back after cancer scare|url=https://punchng.com/reggae-star-yellow-banton-bounces-back-after-cancer-scare/|newspaper=The Punch}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=3 February 2018|title=Sisters on a mission to save ailing entertainers|url=https://guardian.ng/saturday-magazine/sisters-on-a-mission-to-save-ailing-entertainers/|location=Lagos, Nigeria |last=Mwanne|first=Chuks|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=16 December 2017|title=#SaveSadiqDabaProject: Why I got involved - Mabel Oboh|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/12/savesadiqdabaproject-got-involved-mabel-oboh/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|access-date=16 September 2024|newspaper=Vanguard}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=20 December 2017|title=Ex NTA staff sadia daba recuperating|url=https://nationalinsightnews.com/ex-nta-staff-sadia-daba-recuperating-london-hopsital/|agency=National Insight News|access-date=16 September 2024}}</ref>
==Personal life== She has three sons: Magnus I. Oboh Leonard, Jason Eloyowan Leonard, and Ralph Leonard.<ref>{{Cite news|date=16 April 2024|title=Family honours Mabel Oboh On Her Diamond Jubilee Birthday|url=https://dailytimesng.com/family-honours-mabel-oboh-on-her-diamond-jubilee-birthday/|location=Lagos, Nigeria|newspaper=Daily Times|access-date=16 December 2025}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oboh, Mabel}} Category:1964 births Category:Living people Category:Nigerian broadcasters Category:Nigerian film producers Category:21st-century Nigerian women Category:Nigerian women journalists Category:Nigerian television journalists Category:20th-century Nigerian actresses Category:21st-century Nigerian actresses Category:African Democratic Congress politicians Category:Nigerian women film directors Category:Politicians from Edo State Category:Nigerian television actresses Category:Nigerian television personalities Category:Alumni of Buckinghamshire New University Category:People from Edo State Category:Nigerian television producers Category:Nigerian television directors Category:Nigerian women film producers Category:Nigerian actor-politicians Category:Nigerian film directors Category:Nigerian women television producers Category:Esan people