Encomium
Popular radio presenter, on air personality, actor and comedian, Steve Onu, a.k.a Yaw, of Wazobia FM radio station, last year, March 30, 2014, staged his annual show at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, which was well attended by artistes and also high profile persons in the society. However, in an interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, he revealed his plans for his show coming up, May 31, 2015 at Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos and cleared the air on marriage tales…
How are you getting ready for your show?
It is not easy but we are pushing it because coming up with a yearly show is not easy especially when you do not have sponsors but I just have to keep up with what I started over the years not because of other people but because I love what I’m doing.
What is your theme for this year’s show?
This year’s show would be tagged The Past, Present and the Future. I made use of this theme because a lot of people around me and within my immediate environment were all talking about Change and my team and I decided to tow that line and picture the kind of change people actually want and see how we can also contribute our own quota. So, we would try to view both the past and the present Nigeria and act out what we expect in the nearest future. We have heard the incoming government promise to do one thing or the other but now they have realised that getting into power is not as easy as they thought. So they are now telling Nigerians to also give them time to fulfil their dreams to Nigerians. The play I would be showing this year is entitled You which was chosen because I feel you and I are the government. You are the government that you seek, so the big question is, “What are you doing to make Nigeria a better place?” Buhari and Jonathan are not part of the bribery and corruption in offices, ministries or even the police stations because they are not the ones giving or collecting the bribe. So it is all about you, me and this country will be a better place for us to live in.
Who are some of the cast we expect in the drama?
This year, I would be acting with Okey Bakassi. Every year, I always choose somebody I would act with. Last year, I worked with Julius Agwu and right from there, Okey told me “One day we would act together” and the moment he mentioned it, I told him we would act together for my next show and he agreed. I still have AY, Seyi Law and many others in the pipeline.
How do you intend making this year’s show different from the previous one?
There are so many angles and embellishments that have been put in place. The people that came last year enjoyed the show and those who came two years ago, gave me tips which made my last show a success. I am my own yard stick for my ownself and always trying to do something different. This year, we have dancers from Pacesetters, the present and future guys and many more people are coming on board. Also our VIPS are going to be on tables this time and would be probably entertained with refreshments as well.
What are some of the challenges of setting up a show of this magnitude?
The major challenge is sponsorship. Aside that, there is nothing else because I love what I do. This is my seventh year and it has always been like that. Although I still have other sponsors, they are not headliners. But no matter the challenge, the show must go on. It is all about consistency.
How much has it gulped?
At the moment, we are looking at eight digits and I want to leave it at that. We all know how much it costs to rent Eko Hotel & Suites and to package it as well. Although the artistes have been very supportive and taking care of their own welfare. By putting all that together, we are looking at a “massive eight digits”.
What are the other side attractions aside the drama?
We will have music from Davido, Kiss Daniels, Korede Bello, Cynthia Morgan, D’ija, Rikado Banks, Runtown and many more. It would be so much fun.
What inspired your new fashion?
I just want to be me all the time. My wearing of shorts is because I’m cool and comfortable in it. I am not only comfortable with it but I also intend to get more of it.
What describes your kind of fashion?
Fashion is what makes me comfortable at every moment. My mood also determines my fashion.
There are speculations about you getting married secretly, is it true?
All I can say about that is, whoever started this should come out and tell me who the woman is, so I can also confirm from her.
What more should we expect from you?
In June immediately after my show, I would be on location shooting a new series of Yaw’s and Myn, so that would get me busy.
When is the programme coming up and what is new?
The script writers are still writing and once they are done, I will just act out the script. On the other hand, I’m also working on producing two movies before the year runs out. As for sitcom, there is a new twist in the story lines. Lilian Esoro has been away for a while and she is back. We now have more TV stations within and outside the country who are interested in the sitcom. We are making progress.
– DOLAPO AMODENI
