Encomium
-drops new comedy skit, I am a painter
The social media was abuzz last week when one of Nigeria’s finest comedians, Bethel Njoku, popularly known as Senator dropped his comedy skit, I am a Painter, from his forthcoming show. Shot in Houston, Texas, US, the hilarious clip has become a subject on the lips of comedy fans, home and abroad.
Senator spoke with ENCOMIUM Weekly on Sunday, July 13, 2014, on the inspiration behind the skit. He also spoke on his two year old marriage to his beautiful damsel, Kemen Jibrin, among others.
Your new comedy skit, I am a Painter is trending. What informed it?
The skit is just an outpour of my creative strength. I am just using the skit to tease my audience on what to expect on my forthcoming show. Just testing the waters before I swim. A lot of people have found themselves in the business of entertainment, so there’s need to bring their consciousness to the real talents.
Tell us briefly about the skit?
It’s about the assuming dreams of Nigerians about America as a land of plenty, the greener pastures, the land where everything is free, with goodies spilling on the streets. The world of fantasy is met with the reality of the American society. Everything is actually not free, as we assume here. But this idea is sarcastically treated with so much humour.
It’s better watched than explained because the beauty lies in the suspense. I shot it in Houston, Texas. I worked with some promising talents, a group known as Wowo Boyz, a bunch of talented Nigerian boys who are based in the US. The skit has been receiving a mass appeal since posted online last week, it was shared by some bloggers, whom I owe a lot of appreciation. I thank them for their support.
We have heard you talking about Check Your Blood Pressure for long. What’s delaying it?
Please, I use this opportunity to beg the editor, Kefas and Muna of freeme.com to please release the jobs. They are just the ones delaying me…(Smiles). I have done my own part as a comedian, it’s the final work we are expecting from the editor. In fact, as we speak, so many media outfits in the US and UK are also waiting for the Check your blood Pressure TV show. It’s long due and a lot of fans and supporters of the brand are waiting.
A lot of people have asked me to do a show or a TV show, but like I told them “I might be slow but I don’t strike twice”, so with a little patience we all will be comically happy. I don’t want to follow the trend, I break conventions!
You don’t appear much on stand-up comedy concerts, except the ones organised by Julius Agwu. Why? Was it deliberate or you weren’t invited for some of these show?
That’s not true.
I was on the bill of the last AY Live but I couldn’t make it because I was in the States to unite with my wife who just delivered a baby boy. So, I wasn’t in the state of mind to perform. However, I can’t be on every show, that will again make me valueless.
Do you reject shows?
Rejecting shows might not be the right term. Maybe I can say that certain shows might not meet up with your demand or expectation then you can just bow out of the agreement.
Are you not bothered that your industry don’t have association? How has that affected growth?
It’s a two way thing. It could be an advantage if the comedy industry has an association to guide its activities. It could help curtail the emergence of marabouts in the business and possibly create some more attention from the government and society at large. But then, again, we know the history of associations in Nigeria, where everyone wants to be relevant, or protect their own interest. I don’t want to mention names, but those “people wey dey act film go explain better… So, having an association might not just be ideal for now. At least, comedians have respect for Ali Baba, who has always played the fatherly role of correcting situations, so also do comedians have respect for Basorge, Okey Bakassi, Gbenga Adeyinka, Julius Agwu, Tee A, Basketmouth and others. They have all made the growth of the industry easier for all.
You have been married for two years now. How have you been coping?
First, I must give that credit to God Almighty, who has given me favour beyond human understanding. Then, to my very understanding wife, who has been managing this corporately rascal.
How have you been combining your role as a father, husband and comedian?
It has not been easy but I give thanks to God. The method to apply at home is the open policy. Let your family be your safe. They are the only ones who can manage your secrets, so be real. Outsiders are set to see your down fall. So, make your family your stronghold. Be real. Most of all, make God your pillar.
– RASHEED ABUBAKAR
