Encomium
Comedy segment of entertainment industry as come a long way, opening doors of opportunities to serious, hilarious rib crackers. Generations take their turn in building a career, also mentoring new entrants and proteges.
ENCOMIUM Weekly’s JOSHUA SHOBIYE engaged some of the new generation of comedians in a chat on their journey so far and where there are headed.
‘Building my brand is very challenging’ – OJEMBA
My name is Nwankwo Chinedu Eric ‘OJEMBA’, a native of Abia State. Graduated from Lagos State University (Masscom). Ojemba is from a family of eight. I’m into the business of entertainment, reading, meeting people, eating eba with any kind of soup are my hobbies.
While in secondary school, I was the social prefect. I used to anchor our social day, birthday parties of my school mates and all. Then in 2003, after my secondary school education, I was introduced to Gbenga Adeyinka (GCON) through Omo Jesu (Bishop of comedy). So, professionally I started comedy in 2003.
God, for giving me the talent and the follow up. Second, Omo Jesu and then my boss, Gbenga Adeyinka.
The first edition of Laffmattazz concert in Ibadan with Gbenga Adeyinka and friends.
Laffmattazz Drama Skit on TV.
It has been a mixture of the good-bad-ugly, but I have devised a way of managing the bad times and making the best of my high point.
The challenge is trying to build the brand OJEMBA and also trying to build a bigger platform in making the brand OJEMBA bigger and better.
Music production, journalism, artiste management or acting. Though I am still looking for a way of fusing some of this into what I do presently.
Ojemba is heading towards becoming a brand to reckon with, not just restricted to comedy, but to diversify other areas I mentioned.
‘Comedy started from Africa’- ADEROMBI
My names are Aderombi Adedayo, a graduate of Architecture, Covenant University. Born in Minna, I was raised in Lagos by my wonderful parents who are now based in the U.K.
I started comedy professionally in 2011, after I won the Amstel Malta Showtime as Best Comedian in Lagos region.
A lot of people inspired me – Alibaba, Julius Agwu, Omobaba, Basketmouth, SACO, SLK. I learnt something from everyone of them.
My first major platform was Crack Ya Ribs in London, 2010 and I am grateful to Julius de Genius Agwu for the privilege.
All the shows I did exposed me, because I always get good remarks about my performances.
The challenges are few but serious. For instance, people steal materials of other comics which is not healthy. Because the industry is still growing, the gate fees are not impressive compared to advanced countries, forgetting that comedy started from Africa. There are others but those are the key ones for me. I have high hopes, thanks to the legends.
If not comedy, maybe I will be an actor.
I am headed to the very top. By God’s grace, I will be very great in a few years.
‘I learn on the job each day’ – MC MARIO
Omasoro Davidson Mario is my name. I am popularly known as MC Mairo. CEO of EEMDEE Entertainment, an actor and compere. I hail from Delta State, Nigeria. I hold a BSC in Business Administration from the University of Lagos and a degree in English Language from the Lagos State University.
I started comedy in University of Lagos, and during shows, I did one or two things to make people laugh and that’s how it has been till date.
My mom majorly because, she gave me the very first wedding I anchored in 2004, my sister’s wedding. And others kept saying you are good at what you are doing, keep it up.
My first show was at an end of the year party of a film production house, HMP Production. The producers of Papaz House.
It’s Lafta Switch with M.C Mario produced by Eemdee Entertainment.
It’s been great, because each day I learn on the job.
The challenges so far are that since I am gradually building a trade mark, M.C Mario, they don’t want to talk of millions yet until you prove that you are actually worth it. It’s getting better anyway.
If not comedy, I would have been teaching.
I am headed to the top where kings are seated.
‘Comedy is wonderful and without regret’ – JIMBOI
Jimoh Olayinka Sunday, also known as JIMBOI. I won the prestigious AY Open Mic Competition in 2010. I’m a Christian and a graduate, I read Power and Machinery Engineering, Lagos State Polytechnic, a comedian, MC, actor and a musician. But basically, for now, I do standup comedy and comedy music. I am from Ekiti.
I started some years ago and it has really been a huge challenge surviving as a comedian, but I thank God, I have been able to make a living from it. I started professionally in 2006 with school programmes, from there I started handling weddings, corporate events and others.
God is my source of inspiration, but I see Gandoki and AY as my mentors. They inspired me and I developed my career when I was in school.
It was Laff ‘n Tumble. But later, I started annual show at Lagos State Polytechnic. I called it LASPOLAFF with Jimboi in 2009 till 2011.
Breaking show for me was AY LIVE.
The experience has been awesome, so full of ups and downs, but it’s been wonderful, no regret at all.
There are always challenges in every facet of life. The challenge I have is the fact that some people kill talent by saying my jokes everywhere, even the so called established ones.
I would have been an agricultural engineer.
To the top. As a comedian, I’m always on air both TV and radio. I released a comedy album some few weeks ago, entitled Enter De Comedy with JIMBOI.
