It’s funny when people address me like I’m President – MC Tagwaye
Obinna Simon, popularly known as MC Tagwaye is a comedian known for mimicking President Muhammadu Buhari. In this interview, he talks about how he started, the reception he gets from fans, his first encounter with the president, and more. Excerpts:
Daily Trust: Why are you called MC Tagwaye?
I actually chose to call myself MC Tagwaye for the stage. When I started comedy, a lot of people said why not use President Buhari or President of Nigeria and all that, but it sounded too serious, but MC Tagwaye seemed okay to me. Tagwaye in Hausa means twins and I am a twin. My twin brother is still alive so I chose to go by the name Tagwaye. DT: Where are you from?
I’m from Anambra State, but was born and lived all my life in Katsina State. My father spent forty years of his life there.
DT: So, your platform was built on mimicking the president?
I used to do MC jobs and because I’m funny my friends and family encouraged me. They all kept saying, what are you doing, you are this funny and yet you are not utilizing it? So, I mimicked a lot of people in Katsina even before the president.
DT: How long ago did you start and what were you doing before then?
I was a classroom teacher who taught Biology, Applied Sciences, Agriculture, and anything related to the sciences for about seven years. I also worked with a company and from there decided to diversify.
DT: What was it like when you were a teacher?
A lot of people meet me and say, you read sciences and you are dong this. You shouldn’t have studied it in school. Then they suggest I study Theatre Arts or something quite different.
Even when I was a teacher in school, the comedian side of me always helps in the class. Although I was very strict and was the Discipline Master, children always wanted me in their class because I was a disciplinarian who at the same time knew when to play with them.
DT: How far back did you start mimicking Buhari?