Paid To Be Foolish

Available history shows that contemporary Nigerian humour industry began with compares like, Mohamed Danjuma, of blessed memories, Alarm Blow, Ibokoko, Agoma, Basorge and of course Ali Baba who saw the big picture of limitless opportunities in cracking jokes (known today as stand-up Comedy) and embraced it at the time when other compares thought it was scornful to be addressed as a stand-up comedian.

In this article Mercy Michael takes a looks at the second generation of humour merchants who did not only feed on the dream of Mr. Alleluya Atunyota Akporobomeriere a.k.a Ali Baba for comedy, but have explored more avenues (like production of comedy shows on TV, radio and film) in the business of laughter to add Alleluya to the testimony of all those who practice comedy today without fear of being belittled.

BRIGHT OKPOCHA –BASKET MOUTH

Perhaps Bright Okpocha a.k.a Basket Mouth is the biggest grass to grace story in the history of Nigerian comedy.  He began his career in showbiz as a rapper but a poor stage performance ended his journey to the studio and in a bit to reply fans who hurled abusive words at him, Basket Mouth found his funny bone that will define his future.

From being under paid or not being paid at all, Okpocha kept faith with his new found until he found his way to what was the biggest comedy show in Nigeria-“Night of a Thousand Laugh” as produced by Opa Williams.

From being a hit on “Night Of A thousand Laugh”, Basket Mouth soon start producing his own show like “Laff and Jams”, “Lord of the ribs” and the eventual big one “Basket Mouth Uncensored” the hugely successful show saw Basket Mouth taking his craft out of the shores of Nigeria and putting Nigerian comedy on the world map with his performance on internationally acclaimed comedy central being one of his most remarkable.

With his unique style and branding Bright Okpocha is today a blue blood in Nigerian comedy with Brands like Globacom, Dana airline among others gladly associating with the humour merchant.

His huge effort that brought comedians across Africa and America to stage “African King of Comedy” is one effort that will be remembered for a long time

AYO MAKUN –AY

Ayo Makun is often seen as one of the alpha males of the second generation of Nigerian comedians, as he has successfully transformed himself from that aspiring stand-up comedian to showbiz mogul with investments worth hundreds of millions in film and television production, events and tourism.

At the last check, the University of Benin theatre Art graduate commanded a record breaking earning in Nigeria cinema history- a whopping 85 million naira from his comedy movie 30 days in Atlanta which marked his debut as filmmaker. The movie also saw the popular comedian pick up its first award at the just concluded AMVCA. AY was named winner of the New Era Award at this year’s ceremony. The prestigious award comes with a gorgeous Inner Circle Black Watch that’s encrusted with 80 hand-picked black diamonds courtesy of celebrity jeweller and watch maker, Chris Aire.

Before his foray into film making  AY had established big comedy brands like “AY LIVE”,  comedy show  that explore stand-up comedy, hilarious drama skits  and music to entertain thousands of fans across  Nigeria and earning multiple  millions of naira in the process. Television has not been left out as the comedian has a very successful sitcom –“AY Creep on air”. While his talents discovery brand “Open Mic” has seen AY discover and promote upwardly mobile comedians like Seyi Law, Elenu, Emaka Smith, Akpororo to mention but a few. Making him a king maker and a cult hero in the business.

Ayo Makun’s hard work has no doubt brought him fame and fortunes and big brands have been happily associating with him and that too has swollen his pocket in no small measures and he has brought pride to the founding fathers of comedy.

AY might look as thin as a run way model but by the grace of comedy his wallet is now as fat as an Opera singer. 

HELEN PAUL

Among male and female comedians, Helen Paul is one talent who breezed into the scene with a unique style that is generic to her alone. The then University of Lagos undergraduate began her career by mimicking children voices, one of her earliest hits was a performance in the introduction of one of Square’s hit song story and soon she was a radio hit on radio continental, where her character and stage name tatafo were born.

From her radio show Helen became a star and the toast in every major event especially women function before becoming a co-host at Mnet’s TV show Jara where the founding fathers of Nigerian comedy will surely be proud of her success and antics every week on the show and all of her  exploits in the world of comedy.

JULIUS AGWU

Julius Agwu is one comedian who has explored every aspect of comedy and has contributed in no small measures in taking the comedy business to the heights that it is seen today and stashing up cool cash as his reward. 

Today, Julius Agwu is one of the beautiful brides of comedy because the Choba born artiste is so many things rolled into one. He is an actor, a musician, a compere and an entrepreneur.

From a humble beginning in Choba, Port-Harcourt where he began his career, Julius began the diversification of comedy in Nigeria when he originated what is known today as musicomedy. In 2000, his first album, Okombo which was inspired by Awilo Logomba and enjoyed nationwide and beyond, received lots of nominations. He went ahead to release another successful album, My Style in 2003 and ‘D’ Genius’ in 2010.

Today, the success story of Agwu fondly called  D’ Genius has grown astronomically as he handles many A-list events in Nigeria and beyond. Agwu has taken his brand of comedy to different parts of the world like Atlanta, Maryland, London; promoting Nigerian comedy through franchise like:    “Comedy Train”, “Crack Ya Ribs” and “Laff for Christ Sake”.

A graduate of Theatre Arts from the University of Port Harcourt, Agwu is the MD/CEO of Reellaff Limited a creative company that has made Agwu worthy of being counted as one the pillars that have built comedy in Nigeria through diversification and is smiling to the bank. 

FUNKE AKINDELE-JENIFA

Funke Akindele might have studied law but before going to study briefs and court case files, she had already fallen in love with acting when she played the led role in a rave making teen show of the nineties titled “I need to know”. That experience left her with only one desire-to be a screen diva.

From one movie location to another, Funke strived to hit stardom to no avail; until she embraced comedy in a 2009 with Jenifa 1 and 2 that she wrote and produced.

The comic character Jenifa played by Funke, a wannabe city girl who was visiting the city for the first time when she gained admission to study Yoruba Language gets more than she bargained for as her strong village accent and ignorance sees Jenifa making a fool of herself at every turn but she does not bulge. The witty lines and foolish antics as excellently delivered by Funke paid off in the emergence of the super hilarious brand Jenifa

Today, brand Jenifa has successfully transformed Funke to brands sweetheart with Vitafoam , telecom giants Globacom and the Lagos State Government  all falling over themselves while Funke Keeps thanking God and appreciating those who grew the humour industry in Nigeria as she smiles to the bank.

Following demand for the undying character, Jenifa Funke Akindele has finally berthed a comedy TV series, Jenifa’s Diary set to captivate Nigerian TV audience from this month.  Jenifa’s Diary is a comedy television series that depicts the hilarious and amazing adventures of Suliat a.k.a Jenifa.                   

STEPHEN ONU –YAW

Stephen Onu who is popularly known as Yaw is one man whom the opportunity to make his mark in the comedy business came through radio broadcasting when he was called upon by pioneer pidgin English station Wazobia F.M to be their founding On Air Personality when the station came alive.

The man who described himself as spontaneous broadcaster who goes on air and speak on the first topic that comes to his mind brought a fresh perspective to Nigerian comedy as he answers phone calls from listeners and giving them funny answers even as he comment on National issues with lots of humour.

Apart from delivering humour on radio, Yaw holds a yearly comedy stage play (to revive live theatre) even as he anchors high profile events for individuals and corporate bodies who have rewarded him with brand endorsement running into millions.

We salute Yaw for his outstanding performance in keeping comedy alive on radio and on stage and help give the younger generation a chance.

I GO DIE

I Go Die need no introductions and there is about nothing new to be written about this awesome talent that got into the seen as a joke because of skinny nature and a long neck.

If automobiles were the standard the founding fathers of comedy and the general public wanted to measure the success of the comedy industry, then I Go Die will surely be the poster boy of the industry.

I Go Die, exudes luxury as he owns cars like White-Diamond Cadillac Escalade Hybrid 2012 Model (Platinum Edition), Range Rover vogue worth millions of naira. He also owns properties in Delta and Lagos. 

One vital point worthy of mention and celebrating is the fact that I Go Die is one talent who has survived purely on his skills as a stand -up comedian without exploring movies and television production, pure talents you will say.

JOHN OKAFOR: MR. IBU

When comedy took a turn for the better through cracking of jokes or stand-up comedy, John Okafor was nowhere in the radar. The boom recorded with the birth of the home video industry in Nigeria (Nollywood) threw open more avenues for comedy stars to be born and Okafor was one the biggest star that emerged from this era.

As producers and marketers struggled to outdo one another in the home video market, a lot of producers turn to comedy and came John Okafor who played the role of a lay about named Ibu in a comedy flick with similar title (Mr.Ibu)

As that role changed Okafor’s name to Ibu, so also did it make him fans favourite while marketers could not resist having him in their movies.

Ibu’s face and name became a sure formula for success in the home video market given his over the roof antics when delivering his slap sticks style of comedy. Soon, communication giants Globacom, Go Tv a subsidiary of international media company, a gaming giant Merybet, all have Mr. John Okafor as their ambassador at the same time.