Millard Ayo’s inspirational journey to success

In the ever-changing landscape of media, few names have risen to prominence quite like Millard Ayo.

Born in the City of Arusha, Tanzania, Millard Ayo’s journey from a young boy with dreams to an accomplished media icon is a story of resilience, determination, and unwavering passion.

Growing up in Arusha, Millard’s life was deeply influenced by his mother, a dedicated teacher, and his three supportive siblings.

Education was paramount in his family, and like any parent, his mother dreamed of his academic success leading to higher education.

However, fate had a different plan in store for young Millard when the results of his Form Four exams were less than stellar, preventing him from proceeding to Form Five.

“My mother wanted me to study and pass the exam, but I failed,” Millard recalled.

His mother’s love and encouragement played a pivotal role in his life, and she sought out another school for him to repeat his exams.

Little did they know that this pivotal moment would become the catalyst for his extraordinary journey in the world of media.

“I went back to school to study because my mother wanted that, but it wasn’t really my recommendation; however, I studied. But when the school closed, I didn’t go back to that school again,” he remembers.

One day, as he sat pondering his true passion, one of his uncles, a person his mother trusted and confided in, arrived.

Millard’s heart filled with hope, knowing his uncle might be the ally he needed to pursue his dream.

With newfound courage, he revealed his true calling—a dream of studying radio and television broadcasting.

His uncle, recognising the importance of dreams, took it upon himself to talk to Millard’s mother, setting the wheels in motion for his journey.

With unwavering support from his uncle, Millard embarked on his journey to fulfill his media aspirations.

In 2004, he joined college, officially taking the first step towards a career in media.

Little did he know that this journey would lead him to places he never imagined and touch the lives of millions.

Millard’s entrance into the media world was anything but smooth.

He volunteered at a news station called TVZ, later known as ZBC, in Zanzibar.

Life in Zanzibar was challenging, but Millard’s dedication and passion for his craft kept him going.

However, he soon realised that Zanzibar might not be the ideal place to achieve his media dreams.

“I wanted to continue to stay in Zanzibar, but life there was difficult, so I thought it would be ideal to go back to Dar, believing that there are many news stations here and I can get a job easily,” he recounts.

In 2005, he made the difficult decision to return to Dar es Salaam, the bustling media hub of Tanzania.

The city held the promise of more opportunities, but little did he know that his road to success would be paved with challenges and rejections.

Dar es Salaam welcomed Millard with open arms, but the media industry was not as embracing.

Rejections were frequent, and his lack of experience and fame worked against him.

Undeterred, Millard relentlessly knocked on the doors of various media houses, hoping for a breakthrough.

Despite the setbacks, he remained steadfast in his pursuit. “I was struggling to find a job, but everywhere I went, they said they are not hiring; they don’t have jobs. I later came to find out that many offices like experienced people with names,” he remembers.

He said that at the time, he didn’t have all that: he didn’t have fame, and he didn’t have experience at work.

One day, while seeking a job at a radio station, he received a piece of advice that would change his life.

A fellow job seeker advised him to volunteer for free to gain experience and recognition.

Embracing this advice, Millard decided to take the plunge and volunteer at a radio station.

The days were difficult, but his commitment to his dream kept him going.

His dedication and professionalism soon caught the attention of prominent figures in the media industry.

Millard’s journey took an unexpected turn when he finally secured a job at a radio station called “Wapo Radio” in Kurasini.

It was a stepping stone towards his dreams. “I got a job, even though it was a volunteer job without receiving anything. I thanked God and promised to do it with all my heart because I was very anxious to get it,” he explains.

He happily called home and informed his favourite uncle, called Machalo, along with his mother; his father was very happy and promised to help him with the fare to get him to work every day.

“My beloved uncle was very happy and told me to work very hard; my family cooperated to give me the fare for work,” he remembers.

Even though it was a voluntary job without any payment, Millard did it with one heart and with obedience.

One sunny Saturday afternoon, while Millard was at work, his boss passed by and found that he was the only one in the office among those who were employed without pay.

Touched by Millard’s unwavering commitment, his employer offered him a gesture of appreciation: Sh5,000.

Tears of joy streamed down Millard’s cheeks as he thanked God for this small but meaningful token. Though the allowance was meager, it signified a turning point.

Within three weeks, Millard began receiving an allowance of five thousand shillings per week, a testament to his hard work and dedication. “A free walker is not the same as a free sitter,” he says.

Millard’s journey exemplified this adage.

His competence and passion drew him closer to various people, including veteran media professionals George Njogopa and Godwin Gondwe, who became important figures in his life, guiding him along his path.

One day, Godwin Gondwe noticed Millard’s talent during a milk advertisement recording at Wapo Radio.

Impressed by his voice, Godwin offered him Sh300,000, a significant sum that left Millard elated and overwhelmed.

It was a turning point, reaffirming that hard work and passion eventually lead to recognition and success.

Though Millard had gathered experience over the years, his ultimate dream was to work at Clouds Media.

However, it seemed like an elusive goal, and his persistent attempts were met with rejection more than six times.

With the support of Gardner Habash, Millard continued to persevere, refusing to give up on his dream.

One day, as fatigue weighed heavily on him, a call changed everything.

George Njogopa, one of his acquaintances, informed him that Radio One was seeking an announcer.

Millard wasted no time in sending his demos to the station.

In October 2008, his dream came true as he officially secured the job.

“I had just left work; I was very tired, and I received a call from my brother Njogopa telling me to send my demos to Radio One, telling me that they are looking for a male announcer. I left the same night and went to Radio One,” he remembers.

Days went by, and Millard got a job there with a Sh300,000 monthly salary.

Life started to change as he continued to show his different creativity at work.

At Radio One, Millard excelled, and his talent shone brightly.

He revamped a show called “Bolingo” and renamed it “Milazzo one on one,” diving into entertainment content and interviewing various artists.

His name began to resonate with audiences, and he became a familiar voice in their homes. Millard’s aspirations did not end with Radio One; it was Clouds Media that remained his ultimate dream.

In 2010, his relentless efforts finally paid off, and he found himself at the doors of Clouds Media, a place he had longed to be.

The opportunity to work at Clouds Media with the promise of a higher salary was an affirmation of his unwavering commitment to his dreams.

Through his work, Millard has become a voice for the voiceless and a platform for change.

He uses his influence to address social issues and uplift communities.

His dedication to journalism with integrity has earned him the respect of his peers and the adoration of his audience.

As he continued to make strides in the media industry, Millard Ayo decided to embrace the digital era.

In 2010, he founded “Millard Ayo TV,” an online media platform that has since become a significant force in Tanzania’s and East Africa’s media landscape.

The platform allows him to reach a broader audience and continues to grow in popularity.

Beyond the glitz and glamour of the media world, Millard Ayo remains a humble individual with a deep connection to his roots.

He continues to embrace his role as a storyteller and an agent of change, using his platform to shed light on important issues and impact positive change in society.

As Millard Ayo’s influence continues to grow, his legacy is cemented as a media icon who not only reports the news but also shapes the narrative and touches the hearts of millions.

He stands as a living example that with unwavering passion, determination, and hard work, anyone can rise from obscurity to make a lasting impact on the world.

With his TZA brand, which represents Tanzania and is the first letter in the alphabetical order, symbolising his drive to be the first in everything related to informing the public, Millard has set the bar high.

Amidst the beckoning of civic duty, Millard dubs himself a devotee of the late-night shift.

Millard is a family man but doesn’t really like to share his personal relationships with his fans.

He believes that work is what brings him and his fans together, and the rest should remain private.

However, on days like Sunday, he prefers to rest at home.

Millard’s Instagram account has more than 13 million followers, and on YouTube, he has more than 4 million subscribers and is often ranked amongst the most viewed channels, vying for top honours with big names such as Diamond Platnumz.