Not many know the difference between comedian and MC —Caxton Martins

About me
I am Olatunde Joseph, a native of Isale Eko, Lagos, Nigeria, born almost four decades ago to the family of Colonel and Mrs J.O. Caxton-Martins of Lagos and Rivers States respectively. I attended A.D.R.A.O. International school, Command children’s school, Ikeja, Lagos State Model College, Badore and the Obafemi Awolowo University where i studied management and accounting.

How I started anchoring events

I started anchoring events in my secondary school because my classmates would put me on the spot just to hear me stammer/stutter. I eventually overcame my fears by always accepting the challenge and thriving through mockery, “I stammer but I will still pass my message anyway”.

I migrated to Oyo State after my tertiary education and I must say that this was a bold move but not a welcome development because before graduating, I worked with one of the forefront financial institutions back in the day as an undergraduate staff but not carrying out undergraduate assignments and grew to become a training staff …please note that I didn’t say trainee staff. I left the bank about three years after after the Managing Director felt I could do better as an entrepreneur.

My family really wanted me as a banker than one trying to explore new horizons. The industry I met in Ibadan in 2003 was virgin as the English speaking comedians and masters of ceremony were but a few; Yanju Adegbite, Elvon Jarret,  Tony Rowland Awobode and Yomi Layinka were the only names on the main stage then and none was a comedian. This gave me quick growth along the ranks at the time. On arriving the scene, I was told that event anchors were paid a meagre N3000.

The difference between a comedian and a Master of Ceremonies?

A comedian is a stage act mostly informal and basically an entertainer, a master of ceremony as the phrase says, is the one that masters the ceremony.  He’s not limited to talking through the microphone for the smooth running of the program but he is actually in charge of the whole event/ceremony.

A comedian can be skilled enough to master a ceremony and vice versa but the comedian is the responsibility of the Master of Ceremony as he knows when best to feature comedian in the course of the event.

One needs to make a clear difference between a talent, a skill, passion and occupation. This is the best explanation: they are not the same, though closely related but they can all make the same. Make your occupation  your talent,  direct your passion to it  and grow skilfully then you have a career.

Rating the comedy industry

The event industry has rooted itself solidly under the entertainment and ambiance industry.  After Nollywood, na events. Almost all the shows you see now are comedy shows; comedy or not,  you need a master of ceremony.  I have enjoyed my stay in the industry and my favourite is weddings. Weddings are easier because almost everybody is happy and the ones that aren’t happy have to hide their feelings behind a lavish smile and a heavy makeup, weddings are commercially viable, if you know you know. Women are grooving these days in their 70s, 80s and 90s lately and please note that I’m not giving statistics as to which sex lives longer but as to who grooves more and pays better later in life.

The future

The future for me has to be less mobile yet more profiting, as they say, less is more. We will expand on crop farming ,harness the fabric care industry, build up better microphone ambassadors and invest in hospitality and most importantly, family.

What most people don’t know about me

Most people don’t know that I stammer. I’m not hairy, when I get home I want to really forget about everything but family. I’m very content, cheat me but don’t cheat someone I love. I love speed and power, I don’t like Micra drivers but I can make friends with anybody.