If there’s one thing that has made the Nigerian comedy sector to stand out in the entertainment industry, it’s the fact that comedians are believed to be united and help one another to grow.
That unity now seems to be a thing of the past with contradicting reports and statements flying around.
The King of Comedy, Ali Baba, contributed greatly to uniting the comedians. As their undisputed leader, he supported those beneath him, gave them breaks and preached unity.
Maybe because the sector was just growing then, they listened to him and they were all the better for it. But now that comedy is accepted in the country, it seems the comedians don’t want to follow the master’s advice anymore.
During a recent interview on Hip TV, Funky Mallam alleged that his fellow comedians, whom he supported to grow, betrayed him when it was their turn to offer him some helping hand. He was so bitter that he even mentioned names.
And during an interview, also on Hip TV, Basket Mouth, when asked about the beef between him and AY, said he had heard that AY was beefing him, saying that he’s above such a thing as he had better things to worry about. He then added that he’s very happy about the best Pan-African comedian award he won not too long ago, because some people were envious of him as the recipient. But with the way he said it, it was clear that one of the jealous ones he referred to or that the person he was referring to was AY.
Still on same Hip TV, Ushbebe enjoined his colleagues to embrace unity as success comes in turns, adding that those yet to record success should always rejoice with the others who have got up there so that the luck streak could go round. His statements left no one in doubt that he’s unhappy that comedians are envious of one another.
Another example of the growing disunity in the sector is Boma’s disclosure that many comedians are always surprised that he’s achieved so much, even though he’s not yet that immensely popular.
Ali Baba made the comedy sector successful through unity. Now, that success is bringing about disunity.
So the question now is, will the sector, which thrived on unity, be able to withstand the consequences of growing disunity?
That’s the big question.
