Comedy has gone beyond cracking jokes —Woli Agba

The name Ayo Ajewole may not ring a bell, but his stage name, Woli Agba has made him popular in the world of show business. The multi-talented actor of the popular dance group, the Christ Chosen Vessel Dance Drama Ministry (a.k.a) Alfa Sule Group,  speak with SEYI SOKOYA about life and what it takes to be a professional comedian.    

 

YOU are a comedian, compere, musician and actor. How have you been able to combine all these without clash?

Being a multi-talented personality is not by my doing or qualification, but by the grace of God. According to the Bible, ‘I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.’ I discovered my talent right from a tender age. What I have realised so far is that every talent one has will surely manifest and shine at God’s appointed time. The only thing I did was to make myself available. This is why I have not gone dry since I discovered my gifts. In fact, I cannot imagine what I do sometimes and I always ask God for more, because the journey has just begun.

 

The dance drama group has become very popular. How did the group start?

It started in 2002, precisely, on January 18, 2002. The concept came through my brother Oluwafemi Ajewole, while I joined the initiative as Woli Agaba. The experience has been awesome. It is a widely accepted concept and a unique way of propagating the gospel. We started it and others followed, but we thank God for maintaining the lead till date. The Christ Chosen Vessel Dance Drama Ministry (a.k.a) Alfa Sule group has a unique mission: to correct the societal vices, preach morals, and propagate the gospel, among other things in a comic way. We have records to show for it. We have also received words of encouragement and recognition from people, especially from great ministers of God and fans the world over.  The secret the group is still standing tall above its peers is because it is initiated by God.

 

Your concept of comedy created a rumour that you have parted ways with your brother. How true is this?

No. Nothing of such occurred and I don’t think that it will ever happen. We are still together and I will ever remain loyal to him and the entire group. What I did was just to expand our scope and follow the new trend. We decided to extend our creativity to the social media. Presently, I am the General Overseer of Instagram Parish Ministry (IPM). As I said earlier, we have been in the game since 2002, a concept that was initiated by my brother, but we have to blend with the society. I want to restate that my brother and I are still much together. We have a series of works such as Take Heed, Olukola, Otiganpa and Pride. The bond between us is very strong. He is also doing great and I will always respect his commitment for allowing God to use him for this great mission. We do everything together.

 

Did you eventually achieve your goal with the IPM initiative?

Yes. It has been encouraging so far. The major thing I discovered is that people seem to have been waiting for us. Initially, it started like a joke and before we knew, it became a ‘wildfire’. We started with a funny rehearsal where we mimicked Olamide’s song. And the responses were huge, even from Olamide himself. In fact, our subsequent craft has become the talk of the town and I get thousands of comments and testimonies from people all over.

 

How did you come about this concept?

The secret is that God has really blessed me with abundant concepts. I remember that a friend came to my office and asked if I was on Instagram and I replied no. He then collected my phone and registered me on the platform. People began to wonder whether it was a scam handle, because I only had about 10 followers. But it was truly me, because I was still fresh on the platform. I was wondering how do I tell my people that their Woli Agba is now on Instagram. I kept telling the Holy Spirit and held on to the fact that lateness was not a disease. We were at a location on a faithful day when I called a colleague, Dele and I said let’s do craft on Olamide’s Omo Abulesowo’s song, which was posted on my handle. And as God would have it, it turned out to be the beginning of my breakthrough.

 

How did you come about Woli Agba?

Woli Agba became a stage name through the character I played in our hit movies. I think this made people to conclude that I could act the role of a prophet. To me, it has not changed anything or made me a rigid actor. I  can play any role.

 

Would you say that your influence brought the group into limelight?

No. Nobody knew the initiative would be big 15 years ago, when it started. I even turned down the advice of my classmates to join the Nollywood back then when they noticed that I am humorous. I believe that no one is better than one other; we are all team players. Before one becomes a better actor, he must be a sub-actor that will make the character of the main actor meaningful.

 

Is this why you deliberately picked Dele among other members in the group as your partner on the IPM platform?

It is not that I deliberately picked him out of the lots. It is because we understand ourselves very well. He is our drummer and knows the kind of beat that makes me go gaga. The new development, on the other hand, was to bring out his creativity and his acting talent. Working with him has been really tasking and interesting

 

What has been the major challenge since the group started?

It was tough when we started 15 years ago.  Despite the fact that, we were trying to showcase out talent, people did not believe in us. We were not accepted at all. In fact, we went around monitoring posters for events or church programmes, yet we were rejected on several occasions. But when it was the ordained time we became a force to reckon with both at home and abroad. I think it has been the special grace of God for the transformation. We even became so important in many places that we were initially rejected.

 

You are always hyperactive when you are doing your thing; are you always laced with something that ignites your spirit?

Not at all, I have always fully played any character I am asked to play.. I don’t act outside the script. People know me as Chwukwudi, and Woli Agba, but they have forgotten that I have also played other characters. I have to be hyperactive in virtually all the roles I have been given. I want to state categorically that I don’t get hyperactive under any form of alcohol, but laced with the Holy Spirit whenever I am acting.

 

How do you draw inspiration?

Comedy for me is natural. Everything about me is comedy. I think this is a precious gift from God. Whatever I do either consciously or unconsciously, even my smiles bring comic relief. But, what stands me out is that my humors always pass a message and have impact on peoples’ lives. I get testimonies everyday.

 

Some clerics have shunned the idea of bringing comedy into the church. How would you react to this?

I would say some people in this game caused the problem. People need to understand what it takes to do comedy and spot the difference. Some people just mount the altar and start saying all sorts without minding the fact that it is a holy place. Some comedians don’t know the principles of comedy. In fact, they don’t know that it goes beyond being funny, but pass meaningful message. It think professionals in the industry must realise that comedy has gone beyond the level of only cracking jokes.

 

Your comic life did not stop you from getting married. How has it been as you are fresh in marriage?

The experience has been interesting, because I got married to my friend. I recall the day I set my eyes on her; she was in the midst of some of my fans at a location and they were glad to take photographs with me. Somebody among them walked up to me and said someone ‘wants to say hello’ and I obliged. I removed my glasses and I saw a damsel. She waved and said ‘brother I just want to say hi’. Instantly, I shouted ‘you are my wife; I have been looking for you’. She was shocked as I moved close to her and greeted her specially. That was not all, I called the attention of people around and said in a loud voice ‘this is my wife’.