Recently, one of Nigeria’s trending comedians, Baba De Baba, CBE (Comedian With The Biggest Ears), attacked another trending comedian, Mark Angel, who usually collaborates with the girl comedienne, Emmanuella, for plagiarising his work in one of their viral video skits. Baba De Baba, in this interview with OSEYIZA OOGBODO, speaks on the issue and other matters. Excerpts:
What’s the latest about you?
I am currently at location shooting my new comedy series, Officer Ba-Ba. It’s a story of a police sergeant, who is friendly and loved by everyone. He is not the regular policeman who would look for a way to set you up in order to extort you. Officer Ba-Ba would rather beg you for money than to falsely accuse you just to extort you. Officer Ba-Ba sees policemen as thieves and he decided to be different.
How long have you been in comedy?
I have been in the game since 2004 and I was discovered by Alarm Bloo.
How easy or difficult is comedy as a profession?
Comedy can be difficult and easy, depending on time and chance.
What’s your advice to upcoming comedians?
If you must succeed in the Nigerian comedy industry of today, you must be creative and original. Be prayerful and be consistent.
You accused Mark Angel of stealing your idea. Has he deleted the skit or skits?
Mark Angel is a shameless thief. He didn’t delete the skit oh. Although I knew he won’t delete it, I called him out just to caution him and he has started being original afterwards.
Are both of you friends?
If Mark Angel was my friend, I would have gone to his house to beat him up. He is not a friend but we met at events on several occasions before he used my joke to shoot his skit. But we have not seen since the fight started.
Are you saying you are always original and you don’t copy others’ jokes?
The gospel truth is that I have never said any comedian’s joke and my colleagues can attest to that.
How did you come about the name Baba De Baba?
Baba De Baba was a name given to me by my mum. My mum gave all of us nicknames and she called us by those names.
If Mark Angel was my friend, I would have gone to his house to beat him up. He is not a friend but we met at events on several occasions before he used my joke to shoot his skit. But we have not seen since the fight started
How many awards have you won?
I have won over 20 awards.
Which of them is your best so far?
I think every award is good because it’s a symbol of appreciation and recognition of your works.
How often do you perform?
I perform as often as I get events.
What’s your best performance so far?
My recent performances have been awesome because I have been talking about my son’s new school and the fees.
How did you go into comedy?
I went into comedy in 2004, when all efforts to go into the movie industry became fruitless. Since the whole idea was to make people laugh, I decided to go into standup comedy.
Can you be as great as Ali Baba?
If I work hard with the grace of God upon me, I will be greater than Ali Baba.
What are your plans?
For now, I’m working on making more money so that I can get married. My present income can only foot the bills of me and my son. So, I need another source of income before I can get married.
What have you achieved in comedy?
I don’t know what I have achieved oh. Please, don’t allow boys kidnap me oh.
