My dad paid to watch my first comedy show —Comedian Tomiwa Sage

Tomiwa Kukoyi a.k.a Tomiwa Sage is an actor and a comedian. In this interview with JOAN OMIONAWELE, the graduate of University of Ibadan speaks on the hassles of being a comedian and an MC among other things, Excerpts:

 

What in your opinion does it take to be a good comedian?

It takes being  nosey  in the sense that you have to know a little about everything and a lot about drawing laughter in situations. It also takes knowing your material and where to perform them.

 

 What was growing up like?

Growing up was fun. I grew up in a military barrack. It was fun mixing with people from diverse cultural backgrounds. Watching military men in their smooth uniforms and shiny shoes and the fights among officers, wives were always fun. I have two elder brothers and two younger sisters. I played hard, played football and also played with specially made toys my dad made for me. And yes, at a point, I hawked too. Those must have been the Abacha years. It was fun.

 

What did you hawk?

Plantain, eggs, and sometimes, tied detergent.

 

Was your dad a military man?

Oh well, yes, he was, that he was didn’t mean that military men were well-paid. Tell me, which average Nigerian family didn’t get a feel of the Abacha years?

 

So, what prompted you to go into comedy?

I have always been a ‘clown’. I remember I got the name “Oropo” from a neighbour at a very tender age. I was inquisitive about everything. It followed me everywhere, even in my Primary School days. I would sing and act at the end of the year parties. I did the same thing in secondary school.

I represented the school at the national level as well as acting in front of my classmates during free periods. When I got into the University of Ibadan, I just got bolder with it. I studied Theater Arts and it made finding my foot easy.  In 2008, I had my first campus comedy concert tagged, Laff “n” Craze and it got better from there on.

 

Did your parents have any objection when you chose comedy as a profession?

Not really, they tried to make me study Law but my dad is a really understanding person. He never imposes his will on anyone. Coincidentally, the day I staged my comedy concert in U.I, they paid me a surprise visit and had to come to the show. Guess what? My dad paid to watch the show. From then on, he had more belief in what I do.

 

What were your dreams as a child?

I wanted to be a military officer. It was either that or a rapper. I still fiddle with rap once in a while. Somehow, close interactions with my dad made me admire being a diplomat. I admire how one man can move from country to country trying to ensure peace, women›s right and all. But deep inside, the superstar lifestyle was inherent. I even have a rap stage name, “SageBlack”.

 

What stands you out as an event compere?

I  have  a way of  adding a big extra to the ordinary, staying within the brief, but ensuring every item on the programme is delivered extraordinarily.

 

 What has been your most challenging moment as an entertainer?

I was contracted by an Igbo couple to anchor their wedding. There was a brief and all but on getting there, everything changed. Something had happened between both families in the morning of the wedding so they had to perform some rites. Now, I’m Yoruba, my Igbo is just fair. That day I had to flow. It wasn’t easy at all. But somehow, I pulled it through. I had to go and learn more stuffs in Igbo language after that evening.

 

 What was your first stint at the job like?

Professionally, It was inside the University of Ibadan (UI) campus. There was a little stage fright, but after some minutes and a few smiling faces, I relaxed and my confidence grew.

 

Who are your mentors in the industry?

Lafup,  Alibaba, Lepacious Bose and Owen Gee.

 

What has been your most embarrassing moment on the job?

A senior colleague once sent me somewhere to represent her as she was held up elsewhere. On getting there, the client said I couldn’t get on stage because he didn’t know me, never heard of me and can’t allow me to perform.

 

What did you do?

Oh, there was nothing I could do other than wait. I told the senior colleague the situation. They had a member of staff to kick start the programme. When my boss came, she took over the event and then gave me about five minutes  to perform and after the show, someone from the planning committee said to me,  “I’m sorry, we didn’t let you start. Just that we had an agreement with your oga. But thank you for a great evening. You were amazing.”

 

Have you ever felt like giving up?

A lot of times and I think that›s peculiar with every artiste in Nigeria. Being an artiste in this country is no small feat. You are basically your own PR company, marketer, manager, promoter, cashier, producer, content writer, and anything else you can think of. No help for creativity anywhere in this country. So, yes, there are days I feel like I should go look for a job. But you remember why you›re doing it in the first place and you continue to break barriers.

 

You are a very fashionable person, is it a deliberate strategy?

No. I use to be bohemian. I still think I am. I still think I can be more stylish. I just like to be comfortable, simple and sharp. My father taught me that.  A well-dressed man will dazzle an audience.

 

What is the story behind your nickname, Tomiwa Sage?

Like I said, I used to be a rapper. I actually recorded some songs. I went by the moniker, sageblack then. But when I started comedy and acting, I wanted something that was personal and carried my personal name. So, I put Tomiwa and Sage together to form TomiwaSage

 

Are you in a relationship right now?

Yes. I’m a relationship with my bank account.

 

What are the qualities that attract you to a woman?

Height! I like a slightly tall woman. Quiet, witty and very passionate about God. A reader will also get me any day.

 

Why do most comedians like to make jokes mostly about women?

Oh really? I didn’t know that. I think women are a very mysterious folk and very unique. Live with a woman a hundred years and you’d learn something new every day. I don’t make jokes about women so I wouldn’t know. We just yarn generally about every topic. I think musicians sing more about women.

 

Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

This is a tricky question. I want to be representing Nigerians in any capacity I can.