God told me to pay tax as I pay tithe —MC 90’s

Ogunlola Akintunde, best known as MC 90’s is an On-Air Personality and stand-up comedian registered under the Comedian of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFRN). The Eko 99.7 FM radio presenter is the organiser of the 25th of February’s Pure Laff Comedy Show at Eko FM Multi-Purpose Hall in Agidingbi, Ikeja. He speaks with Newton-Ray Ukwuoma about the event, his career aspirations among other things. Excerpts:

 

Why do you have 90’s as your stage name?

The name 90’s was coined from the question I used to ask some of my colleagues back then when I was studying Marine Engineering. “Where you dey in 1990?” was the question I would ask them. Later I modified 1990 to 90. That was when the significance of 90 hit me. You know, the world rotates within 360 degrees, and about four 90s make up 360. Since it is not one 90 that makes the world, I adopted a collective form, the 90s. So, the world rotates within me, so does comedy. I am the captain of Comedy.

 

Your entrance into the comedy industry was in 2004, but when did you realise you could crack jokes?

My parents told me I was funny. I made my colleagues in school to laugh. And it was not only being funny, but also creative.I call myself a captain of comedy and the son of the King of rhymes because I also incorporate rhyme into my stage performances. So, I spewed a lot of rhymes during my schools days.

 

You are a Marine Engineer by profession. How did you penetrate the industry?

I started by going to events, watching other comedians, and musicians. I knew I could do what other comedians could do and even better. So, I decided to forge my own brand. I started handling the pidgin belt of Eko 99.7 FM. It is a grace I suppose. Back then there was a time when comedians believed that until you crack a joke in pidgin you weren’t funny because they believed that telling a joke in Queen’s English would not work as much as bringing it down to our own level. So, working on the radio has really brushed me up. I talk three times a week on radio and TV. I am also one of the co-presenters on MITV called the Wazobia Plus. The reception I get from the audience keeps me going.

 

You call your brand of comedy pure comedy. Don’t you think sex sells even in comedy?

I don’t believe sex sells that much these days. I don’t believe that until you talk about sex, you cannot make it as a comedian. I have done two shows in the past and I tagged all of them Pure Laff. This February, I am putting together another show tagged, Pure Laff. It is a platform where comedians can crack jokes without using vulgar language.

I know some comedians thrive on jokes that offend the delicate sensibilities of even children and sane adults; I don’t think I must follow that path. They also think that that style of a joke will get the events at clubs, but I know that when you run on your own, it is called the race, but when you add the God factor, you enjoy Grace. Doing comedy on this terms has fetched me some successes. I have my own house, my own office and other things. I can say I am better than some comedians who ply the vulgar joke route.

 

Are you blowing your own trumpet?

[Laughs] All I can say is that God has been helping me.

 

As a comedian, do you think it is difficult to even censure your inspiration?

One thing holds true: when you are gifted, you are gifted. Saying rubbish does not mean you are passing a message. We have good and bad muses, I know that. You have to choose where you want to operate in. For me, I can use mosquito as a material for my joke and I make people laugh with it. I am not against those who crack vulgar jokes. If you are good at it, it is it okay. But we have different callings. I have some role models abroad who do not use foul language in their jokes. Interestingly, they do not have better materials than we do. We have good content. But they have been able to remain fantastic to their audiences without engaging in the vulgarity that some comedians here enjoy today.

 

How would you describe an average Nigerian comedian?

An average Nigerian comedian is a bundle of talent. An average Nigerian comedian is an entertainment hub, we do everything all other entertainers do. Yes. We go to shows with live bands, we perform, we play instruments, we act, we sing and we preach. We are motivational speakers, we are marriage counsellors; we are specialists in many areas. And we do all of these things to entertain people.  And it is paying off. As of today, our comedians earn more than musicians. We earn more than DJs.

 

Have you ever been surprised by how much a client was willing to pay you and how much was it?

Yes. I remember the first time I was paid N15,000. I was like a king. This was way back 2005. I was surprised that I was paid that amount for a 5-minute joke. Now, I earn more than half a million for a show.

 

You are relatively unknown among the comedy circle even though you are an OAP. What do you have to say about that?

That is why I call it a race. There are some comedians that started when I did and some of them are out of the industry. I think it is just working on being relevant. I also know of some younger colleagues who are more popular than me. That can’t stop me. I am still working on my brand until I get to that limelight.

 

Are you currently working on any show?

Yes. Pure Laff with MC 90’s. It is already turning out to be a great show. I have massive support from my colleagues. Comedians like Ali Baba, Gbenga Adeyinka, Yaw, Omobaba, MC Accapela, Kenny Blaq and others will be performing that day. I have sponsors and a massive media support. For instance, Nigerian Tribune is one of my major media partners. I am doing this show with grace. And just as you hinted, this might be the show that brings me to the limelight.  Nobody stays in the limelight forever. It is turned by turn. I know that I will be there and people will feel my relevance.

 

For people who want to attend, how can we get tickets?

The ticket ranges from N2, 000 to N200, 000: N2, 000 is for the flat rate, N5, 000 for regular, VIP is N20, 000, and table for five is N200, 000. It will be happening on the 25th of February at the Eko FM multiple-purpose hall in Agidingbi, Ikeja.

 

A lot of comedians owe their success to Ali Baba. Are you one of them?

It is true that Ali Baba has inspired and helped many comedians in the industry.  But Gbenga Adeyinka has been of more support to me. I remember coming for my radio programme, Gbenga Adeyinka gave my audience N30,000 for recharge cards. I was supposed to take care of him, he instead was so thoughtful to give my listeners money. I was very shocked at that benevolence. Ali Baba has supported me with his words of advice and moral support.That counts for many things also. I appreciate him very much.

 

Do you think comedians also play a role shaping the body polity of a nation?

Yes. We have a role to play in the governance of our country. Since people count on us to make them happy, we should also use our jokes, to tell the truth, to discuss issues about how we are being governed. For instance, I use my jokes to promote peace in the land.

 

Do you think comedy is lucrative?

Yes, it is lucrative. It is a sector that should be invested in.

 

Should comedians pay tax?

Yes. The government can find ways through which comedians can pay tax because my mentor, which is God, always informs me to pay my tax as I pay my tithe. We have to pay our tax to the government.

 

Sometimes it appears that some comedians missed their calling as pastors or prophets. Are you one of them?

I am not a pastor, neither am I a prophet. I love good life and I know that it is God that has given me the grace to do what I do. I get surprised when I do little and God pays me big. Because of that I always appreciate Him anywhere I go.

 

What do you have to say about your hair, especially the broadway in it?

I call it my BRT road. It is my brand. If there is a way I can wear this hair in heaven I will. It rhymes with my name MC 90s.

 

Comedians of the Federal Republic (CFR) is the national body of comedians in Nigeria. How effective is the body in promoting young comedians?

I believe in terms of promoting young people, we have people who are doing their best. But as a body, we do not have a very strong structure in the comedy industry. For instance, the central body has been able to relate to the government and other corporate bodies in providing structure and protecting the rights of members. We also need to have an academy where young people would be trained.

 

Have you read the letter of Former President Olusegun Obasanjo to President Buhari? What was your first reaction?

Fairly used does not exist in this country. You will see someone who has used his car for eight years still tell a buyer that “you see this car na only engine no dey, but body dey this motor”. Anywhere you see a car for sale it is either the motor has a problem or the owner is the one with the problem. Because you either hear, “My brother nothing do this car na only because of I wan travel” Or “The motor dey okay na only the fan belt you go change, everything dey alright”. But when you buy the motor you will begin to change all manner of things. What am I saying? if Obasanjo had fixed the problems he is presently complaining about during his time there would have been no need to write a letter in the first place. Who wrote a letter to him during his own time?