Bethel Njoku is a Nigerian comedian, popularly known as Senator. The Imo State-born humour merchant spoke to Newton-Ray Ukwuoma about his brand of comedy, goals and aspirations among other things. Excerpts:
Why did you choose Senator as your stage name?
It was because I admired the title. You know, during the Shagari era, when democracy was still new to us, Senators were highly respected. They were seen as icons of democracy, of law and order. And going into comedy, I told myself I was going to represent this values in the humour industry. That was why I picked the name.
You spoke in the past tense. Do you still admire the title?
Sometimes, when I am introduced as Senator in a gathering, some people often grumble, you know. But once they know I am comedian, not a politician, the reception changes. My stage name has its own advantages and disadvantages.
You are also an actor.
Yes. I am currently on Flatmates and Ndi Akpatobi (an Igbo series). Some of the movies are yet to be released.
What is your take on organising personal comedy shows? Is it becoming commonplace?
Well, I wouldn’t say. Truth is I had my first show last year, which from the reception I got turned certain old practices around. I was told I brought something new to the table. That was a new style of perceiving comedy shows. Make no mistakes, Nigerians love comedy shows. I will tell you what they don’t like: comedy shows that end up becoming music shows.
After my show, a number of senior colleagues said the event was how a comedy show should be organised. Subsequently, my colleagues have been tolling that line, where you have less music and more comedy. It is a comedy show. Comedians should be given lots of time to express themselves. Up till now, time allotted to comedy has been short because of a multitude of musical performances. But my show turned that around. We began to realise that a comedy show should have less or no musical performances and a full-fledged comedy performances. Come to think of it, it gives people the more opportunity to laugh, to be happy. I know music has its role in such gathering, but people paid for the humour, not music.
How would you describe your jokes relationship to the use of vulgar words?
I cannot be detached from the brand I represent. I protect my brand. I am my brand. You cannot have someone branded as Senator, telling lewd or vulgar jokes. As a matter of brand name, I am ruled out of that kind of joke. Secondly, I work most of the time in the corporate circle, where such jokes are poorly accommodated. It is not that I cannot tell them, but from my own point of view, it is an escapist way of making people laugh. There are more intellectual and society friendly ways to achieve a good result. And I do not like to use religion in my jokes because it is a very sensitive aspect of life especially here in Nigeria, where politicians use it to hold people to ransom. A lot of people take it to heart. I like to say things around society and its ills. I like to also celebrate good things.
Would you say then that your brand is only for corporate platforms?
I want my work to revolve (at least about 60 per cent) around the corporate circle. I read the dailies every day, I watch the news as well. I prepare myself in a manner that makes me compliant to the corporate world. For instance, I want to be able to lampoon Nigeria’s ethnic divide in a way that everyone can relate to. I want to be able to talk about what makes us unique as a country. I want to joke about the current affairs in all the spheres of the society especially politics. These are the angles people should expect my jokes to come from.
What would you say about comedians who are famous for vulgar jokes?
I prefer to be popular for my kind of jokes instead. Those who are actually popular perhaps have their audiences. I like to trade on the popularity driven by positive awareness.
You recently celebrated your 40th birthday. How do you feel now?
I don’t feel any less normal. Age is but a number. It is the mindset that actually decides whether one feels better or not. We all age at the same pace anyway. But some people doubt my age. They think I am in my thirties. But that is the dynamics of human life. Some age differently. But I feel normal. There is nothing special about it. I still live my life. However, I have had to take some stringent decisions. For instance, I have decided to tell more of the truth now that I am forty. I shouldn’t be scared of anything or anyone.
It was a lavish party you had. So, it is not a normal feeling, or are you trying to play it down?
Truth be told, I did not organise that party. It was organised by my wife, the CEO of Instant PickUp, who endorsed me and Glitz events. I wasn’t aware of their plans. In fact, I was in London when the CEO of Instant PickUp asked if I had any plans to celebrate my birthday. I like to keep things simple and classy. I told him I wanted to call a few friends. He didn’t quite like the idea and the result was what you saw. I want to thank them specially for making it a memorable day for me anyway.
Do you think you have reached your peak in the industry or where you wished to be?
No. Nobody is where they wished to be because our wishes continue to change as we climb the ladder of success. For me, I am not where I wish to be. But there was a time I wished to be at this level I am. Now, that I am here, I wish to attain more heights. My dreams have grown bigger.
Are you a comedian at home?
Well, you have to ask my wife.
Do you make her laugh?
I don’t make her laugh. She just ends up laughing. Sometimes, I feel bad that my family doesn’t know when I am serious. My son, for instance, when he does something I don’t like and I shout his name, just looking at my facial expression only he starts laughing. So, I always have to try harder to make things serious in my house. But I understand them and so it is not an issue at home.
Are there ills in the entertainment industry that you think comedians should seriously address?
I guess a number of things. But then again, there is no industry without its own challenges. We have challenges. The truth is that all of them cannot be treated, or done the way I want. I know for instance, that a lot of comedians have complained about people plagiarising jokes. It is a big challenge because it weakens the creative ones. You won’t want to create something for another person to steal from.
Another challenge is that the comedy industry does not have a proper structure yet. We see a lot of people using your materials, skits to make money on social media. We don’t get royalty or compensation or any kind of reprieve for it. Even, some media platforms would partner with you on your own show and thereafter put your material on their own Youtube channel or other social media outlet. Even though it is not part of your partnership agreement, you get nothing. It is a bad one. They claim to give you media support, yet they are milking your creativity. Meanwhile, we want more of private company sponsorship and support. Some of the adverts on our shows don’t have real financial backing, sometimes, it is the products that we get. Then, the government needs to create a conducive environment for investors to consider us.
What did you study in school?
Theatre Arts at the University of Jos.
At what point did you decide to do stand-up comedy?
I was doing comedy, but stage act comedy in school.
As a child, did you show any passion for the arts?
Yes. I knew I would end up in Theatre Arts, but not a stand-up comedian. I had the love for the arts right from time. I did a diploma programme in Theatre Arts before my Bachelor’s programme. Even before my diploma I used to watch my cousins rehearse plays and I would say, “One day, I would get here”.
And I eventually got a first degree in Theatre Arts. My dad wanted me to become an engineer or doctor. But I knew if I did any of the two, I would never be successful. The first time I went to a Chemistry Laboratory was the last time I went to a Chemistry Lab. From SSS 1, it was already obvious that I was for the arts. My vice principal tried to drag me to take classes in the sciences. Well, he failed very well. We were three like that back then. I knew I was made for the arts from the beginning. But stand-up comedy evolved from time. I played more comic roles than tragic roles. This was because people laughed when I play comic roles. So, my lecturers noticed and advised me.
Seeing that you got admission to study Theatre Arts, what did your dad do?
He tried to force me out. He didn’t pay my school fees or anything. He simply did not like it.
How did you see yourself through school?
I used to dance on the streets to raise money for my school fees and up keep.
How does he feel now?
You know, during marathons, at the sound of a gun, all the athletes take off. There is usually so much tension. But when you get to the finish line and you are the first, you feel happy and relieved. If I went on that race and did not come out with anything, I would have lived a sad life. (I would have possibly committed suicide.) But now, with a lot of things coming in, being celebrated in and outside Nigeria, I would say it was a good fight.
What did your mum say?
She simply asked, “Is this what you want?” I said, “Yes”. She said, “Go on”. Now, my dad calls me any time he sees me on TV. He is my biggest fan. I think people could learn from my situation and get encouraged. If you believe in yourself, you can make it with or without people’s support.
Also Read:
US-based Nigerian artists mark Independence with Not Nasty, but Feisty
US-based Nigerian artists mark Independence with Not Nasty, but Feisty
and then