Since launching Kedrus TV in December, 2021, Kedrus TV recorded over 7000 registered users. In this exclusive interview with Mr. Justin Tochukwu, he shares a background story about KedrusTV and how it was birthed. Mr Justin Tochukwu is the Lead Strategist at Kedrus Consulting and is currently taking Brand Management with the London Business School. He uses data analytics and technology to help brands attain visibility, profitability and sustainability.
New Man: Can we meet you?
Guest: Justin Tochukwu is a Brand and Business consultant with over ten years of experience in Branding, Strategy and Digital transformation. I am a member of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) and a Fellow in the Institute of Management Consultant (FIMC). I am also a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and was part of the elite team of brand experts that rebranded NairaBet, Nigerian’s first sport betting company, with over 40 million users. I also engaged and led the nationwide digital implementation of Scripture Union daily guide devotionals into mobile apps across Android and IOS platforms to reach more than 6 million members. I implemented the Strategic branding and market positioning for FRIMA a Malaysian conglomerate with a vision to penetrate the African market. As a graduate of computer science, and a Cisco certified network associate I had my first cloud computing program in 2012 and recently rounded up a program in Digital Transformation from Darden Business school in partnership with Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and University of Virginia in USA.
New Man: Please, kindly share your salvation story
Guest: I was born into a Christian home. My late dad was a Christian, a Scripture Union member and so was my mum. I also grew up within an environment that made it easy for me to really see the values and see Christ in a different light. However, I gave my life to Christ on May 13th, 2013 and my life has grown since then. I received the baptism of the Holyghost in a meeting by Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowships.
New Man: How has your journey as a Christian and a Digital Professional been so far? How do you merge both together?
Guest: Right from time, I have been evangelistic in nature and I knew the area that God has called me to. One mountain that is critical to my call is the mountain of media. I love evangelism and the three mountains I’m keen on is Family, Business/Economy and Media. I use these to propagate the gospel. The journey has not been easy because of the fact that you get to certain spaces and they’d not want you to share your views and try to relegate your faith to the background but I’ve been the type that believes in being vocal about anything I trust in. As a Christian, I believe you should be vocal and audacious about your faith and this has been my main move for thriving in business. It has also been my standard to propagate the gospel. For example in our organisation, 30% of our revenue goes into the Gospel and even at that, we still pay our tithes, higher than normal (15% to be precise) as well as commit ourselves to the gospel and kingdom focused projects. It’s not been easy but then I have been very vocal about my faith. Also, in our organization, it is a mantra that we employ those who are competent believers. It is a yardstick and we are unapologetic about that. There are other people in the industry who choose to be woke and politically correct about that but this is our stance and we do not lie on the fence. We declare holistically where our allegiance lie and believe in excellence of service while dealing business with other people as Christians.
Guest: Right from time, I have been evangelistic in nature and I knew the area that God has called me to. One mountain that is critical to my call is the mountain of media. I love evangelism and the three mountains I’m keen on is Family, Business/Economy and Media. I use these to propagate the gospel. The journey has not been easy because of the fact that you get to certain spaces and they’d not want you to share your views and try to relegate your faith to the background but I’ve been the type that believes in being vocal about anything I trust in. As a Christian, I believe you should be vocal and audacious about your faith and this has been my main move for thriving in business. It has also been my standard to propagate the gospel. For example in our organisation, 30% of our revenue goes into the Gospel and even at that, we still pay our tithes, higher than normal (15% to be precise) as well as commit ourselves to the gospel and kingdom focused projects. It’s not been easy but then I have been very vocal about my faith. Also, in our organization, it is a mantra that we employ those who are competent believers. It is a yardstick and we are unapologetic about that. There are other people in the industry who choose to be woke and politically correct about that but this is our stance and we do not lie on the fence. We declare holistically where our allegiance lie and believe in excellence of service while dealing business with other people as Christians.
New Man: What inspired Kedrus TV? What does the name Kedrus mean?
Guest: The story of Kedrus is quite an amazing one. Before I got married to my wife, instead of calling ourselves honey, babe and all the normal names, I called her Blossom and she called me Cedar. In the Bible, Cedars had some critical, fantastic features, one of which is the fact that it can stay for up to 1200 years and beyond. They also survive in wild atmosphere and harsh environments. They grow about two-storey deep and seven-storey high. They are wired to stay long, have agility, endurance and strength in value. You hear of Cedar in Lebanon as a believer so, Kedrus is the Greek word for Cedar. That is how Kedrus came about. We believe that we will be firmly rooted to propagate and spread the gospel abroad. To back that up and show you what Cedar is and how Cedar really thrives, you can read scriptures in Ezekiel 17:22 and 24. That is exactly how the name Kedrus came about. Kedrus is a household name and conglomerate – We have Kedrus TV, Kedrus Real Estate, Kedrus Consulting and more to come. We are permeating different sectors of the economy and bringing light to it through our excellent services and spreading the gospel.
Guest: The story of Kedrus is quite an amazing one. Before I got married to my wife, instead of calling ourselves honey, babe and all the normal names, I called her Blossom and she called me Cedar. In the Bible, Cedars had some critical, fantastic features, one of which is the fact that it can stay for up to 1200 years and beyond. They also survive in wild atmosphere and harsh environments. They grow about two-storey deep and seven-storey high. They are wired to stay long, have agility, endurance and strength in value. You hear of Cedar in Lebanon as a believer so, Kedrus is the Greek word for Cedar. That is how Kedrus came about. We believe that we will be firmly rooted to propagate and spread the gospel abroad. To back that up and show you what Cedar is and how Cedar really thrives, you can read scriptures in Ezekiel 17:22 and 24. That is exactly how the name Kedrus came about. Kedrus is a household name and conglomerate – We have Kedrus TV, Kedrus Real Estate, Kedrus Consulting and more to come. We are permeating different sectors of the economy and bringing light to it through our excellent services and spreading the gospel.
New Man: You recently announced that in one month of operations, Kedrus TV recorded over 7000 users. What striking impact and effect has this number had on the gospel?
Guest: The impact of the Kedrus TV launch on the gospel. Kedrus TV exists to edify the saints and spread the gospel so we have two sets of people who. The first users are believers who find Kedrus TV as an alternative to Netflix, Showmax and the likes and making it easy for them to access edifying movies, music, videos etc without a fear of any wrong scence that can dampen their spiritual lives. The second set of users are people who probably stumble on the app for entertainment purposes and in the course, it facilitates them giving their lives to Christ. The impact is all about the gospel and we are working to see that by the end of this year, we'd have at least one device in every Nigerian Christian homes with the Kedrus TV App.
Guest: The impact of the Kedrus TV launch on the gospel. Kedrus TV exists to edify the saints and spread the gospel so we have two sets of people who. The first users are believers who find Kedrus TV as an alternative to Netflix, Showmax and the likes and making it easy for them to access edifying movies, music, videos etc without a fear of any wrong scence that can dampen their spiritual lives. The second set of users are people who probably stumble on the app for entertainment purposes and in the course, it facilitates them giving their lives to Christ. The impact is all about the gospel and we are working to see that by the end of this year, we'd have at least one device in every Nigerian Christian homes with the Kedrus TV App.
New Man: Considering other movie streaming applications, how do you think Kedrus TV can perform?
Guest: We are playing for the long term and so we perform efficiently based on our advantages. The first advantage is the fact that Kedrus TV is totally free. Also, although you do not need to sign in, creating an account will improve your experience on the platform. We are sure that we will fare well because we are working as a completely free alternative which is completely free.
Guest: We are playing for the long term and so we perform efficiently based on our advantages. The first advantage is the fact that Kedrus TV is totally free. Also, although you do not need to sign in, creating an account will improve your experience on the platform. We are sure that we will fare well because we are working as a completely free alternative which is completely free.
New Man: Beyond Business and Charity, what is Kedrus TV for you as a believer?
Guest: Right now, we do not see Kedrus TV as a business but as a tool to propagating the gospel. Kedrus TV is solely a movement to revolutionalise the distribution of the gospel. So, I do not see it as charity or as a business. Instead, I see it as a tool to bring push the gospel of Christ forward and establish God's kingdom on earth. It is our little way of investing in what God is expecting us to do.
Guest: Right now, we do not see Kedrus TV as a business but as a tool to propagating the gospel. Kedrus TV is solely a movement to revolutionalise the distribution of the gospel. So, I do not see it as charity or as a business. Instead, I see it as a tool to bring push the gospel of Christ forward and establish God's kingdom on earth. It is our little way of investing in what God is expecting us to do.
New Man: What new features should users expect in the future?
Guest: If you noticed, Kedrus TV is strictly a web app television and so you have to login to our website to access it. We are working on a Kedrus TV 2.0 that will be both a web TV, App (Android, IOs and Smart TV Versions). For other new features, we plan to integrate a Bibles and Devotionals like the Rhapsody of Realities and other devotionals. It's a box that encapsulates everything Gospel.
Guest: If you noticed, Kedrus TV is strictly a web app television and so you have to login to our website to access it. We are working on a Kedrus TV 2.0 that will be both a web TV, App (Android, IOs and Smart TV Versions). For other new features, we plan to integrate a Bibles and Devotionals like the Rhapsody of Realities and other devotionals. It's a box that encapsulates everything Gospel.
New Man: Comparing the times when televisions were tagged as the devil’s box and now, what tangible changes do you think the Gospel movie industry has recorded?
Guest: The changes that have happened in the Gospel movies industry dating from when TV was tagged as the devil’s box is the fact that there has been light. By light, I mean revelation and illumination in the different dimensions of God's love. This light has improved the kind of stories we tell and even the equipment through which we tell these stories. People who have this light have also come to the scene. For instance, Evangelist Mike Bamiloye has handed over to his son and He is doing a whole new level of awesome things. Light improves technology and a sound knowledge of the art has done so much good for the gospel movie industry. We expect this light from God to do so much more even as technology seeks to play a pivotal role in ensuring distribution for these movies just as we are doing through Kedrus TV.
Guest: The changes that have happened in the Gospel movies industry dating from when TV was tagged as the devil’s box is the fact that there has been light. By light, I mean revelation and illumination in the different dimensions of God's love. This light has improved the kind of stories we tell and even the equipment through which we tell these stories. People who have this light have also come to the scene. For instance, Evangelist Mike Bamiloye has handed over to his son and He is doing a whole new level of awesome things. Light improves technology and a sound knowledge of the art has done so much good for the gospel movie industry. We expect this light from God to do so much more even as technology seeks to play a pivotal role in ensuring distribution for these movies just as we are doing through Kedrus TV.
New Man: Are churches and ministries open to the Kedrus TV Model? How is Kedrus TV introduced to churches and how has been the reception so far?
Guest: Churches are accepting the Kedrus TV idea wholeheartedly. Some churches in Port-Harcourt have given us opportunities to pitch and talk about Kedrus TV in their Sunday services and we gained immediate views and engagement. They are also willing to back us up to the level we want to grow. The idea is to meet contemporary churches, sell the vision to them and allow them introduce the platform to their ministry, loved ones, family and friends. Churches have also been very receptive although we have not gone full blown with that marketing approach as we are working on a major upgrade with our maiden app.
Guest: Churches are accepting the Kedrus TV idea wholeheartedly. Some churches in Port-Harcourt have given us opportunities to pitch and talk about Kedrus TV in their Sunday services and we gained immediate views and engagement. They are also willing to back us up to the level we want to grow. The idea is to meet contemporary churches, sell the vision to them and allow them introduce the platform to their ministry, loved ones, family and friends. Churches have also been very receptive although we have not gone full blown with that marketing approach as we are working on a major upgrade with our maiden app.
New Man: Can users currently watch contents from this platform offline?
Guest: At the moment, viewers cannot watch offline. However, we trust that in the future, that will be a feature we can integrate. That is why we hope to partner with data and communication networks like MTN, Glo, Etisalat and the likes to ensure that everyone using the Kedrus TV app can access it for free. It is a massive investment but we are willing to do all that for the Gospel.
Guest: At the moment, viewers cannot watch offline. However, we trust that in the future, that will be a feature we can integrate. That is why we hope to partner with data and communication networks like MTN, Glo, Etisalat and the likes to ensure that everyone using the Kedrus TV app can access it for free. It is a massive investment but we are willing to do all that for the Gospel.
New Man: What’s in the future you see for Kedrus TV?
Guest: Kedrus TV is going to be very fascinating. It’s going to be a home for everything Gospel. From movies to music to cartoons, animations, Bible, devotionals, Live Services of different churches, communities within the app where you can meet with like minds, having affairs, prayer networks that would guide you through counseling. It's going to be a home for everything gospel. You can actually give your life to Christ on the app. You will be followed up and put in a care group to see to your growth as a believer. We hope to look back and see the impact we have made towards spreading the gospel. So if you have given your life to Christ, kindly go and check out the app to become solid in your Christian journey and growth in God.
Guest: Kedrus TV is going to be very fascinating. It’s going to be a home for everything Gospel. From movies to music to cartoons, animations, Bible, devotionals, Live Services of different churches, communities within the app where you can meet with like minds, having affairs, prayer networks that would guide you through counseling. It's going to be a home for everything gospel. You can actually give your life to Christ on the app. You will be followed up and put in a care group to see to your growth as a believer. We hope to look back and see the impact we have made towards spreading the gospel. So if you have given your life to Christ, kindly go and check out the app to become solid in your Christian journey and growth in God.
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Nice interwiew...light definitely improves tech
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