Minutes with Efosa Iyamu

NWABOGOR Where do you draw your inspiration from when you create a joke?

I get inspired everyday by what I see, what I read, movies I watch and all the happenings around me. I buy at least one book anytime I travel and that has helped me because the comedy world has gone way beyond just saying a joke. You have to tell an intelligent jokes. You must carry the crowd along, so you don’t come across as boring. How did you start Comedy?

I started in secondary school. Back then, we would get involved in a lot of heckling and I was really good at that. Not long after, I started anchoring events while still in school. From then, I started getting little gigs, so when I got into the University; it wasn’t so hard deciding to make a career out of it. My first paid event was a traditional wedding and I got N5,000. How do you manage your job as a Comedian/MC and being a government official?

I have been on stage professionally for 15yrs now and so far, being a comedian and MC is the best thing to happen to me. I love what I do and I do what I love. I manage my life very well by the grace of God and I don’t let any of them suffer for the other. When I got my appointment with the Edo state government, everyone thought I won’t be able to cope, but I have. My boss H.E Adams Oshiomole is very understanding and he gives me all the support that I need. So far I have been able to deliver perfectly well in all the spheres. Do you have a particular Comedic style?

No I don’t, I’m spontaneous and everything/ everybody inspires me. I take what I need and discard what I don’t need. There is this stereotype that most Comedians are angry or emotionally damaged in some way. Are you the exception and is this stereotype a myth?

It definitely is a myth. What are they angry about? Me, I never see vex for their face oooo...I’m not angry or damaged...We are all happy people who love to see others laugh. What else do you entirely enjoy other than Comedy?

I’m an all rounder entertainer, I do stand up, I model, I produce movies, I anchor events, I am on radio and I do TV presentations. It’s a wide market that will keep me in business for a longer time. Asides work, I also enjoy reading, playing lawn tennis and football...I’m very sure if I wasn’t an entertainer, I would have been playing for Arsenal FC in London. Do you write your own jokes?

Yes I do. The trick of the business lies in spontaneity but there are times you just need to jot some things down for further reasoning and references Ever been caught in a situation where you plan to tell a joke at a gig and the Comedian before you gave the same joke and that joke had been tagged by you as your “ice breaker”?

(Laughs) This has happened to every Comedian. The truth is, as a professional Comedian, you are only as good as your jokes. So regardless, if all your jokes have been told already, you have to get on that stage and nail it. You can use a different approach and end up getting a better ovation than the guy who used your jokes.

Efosa ‘Efex’ Iyamu is an MC, a stand-up comic and an inspirational speaker. Dynamite on stage, he is also the Executive Director on Protocol, to the Edo State governor, Comrade Adams Oshomole. He recently spoke to KONYE CHELSEA

about stand-up comedy and getting heckled.

What happens when you tell a joke and you don’t get the expected response?

Well that can be somewhat embarrassing. Most times, it depends on the crowd. You can tell a joke in Lagos and get a standing ovation, but tell the same joke in Warri or Abuja and the crowd doesn’t relate to it. It is a lesson, which we all learn and build from. Knowing and understanding your audience is key. Who are your top five top Comedians both locally and globally?

Well, all my colleagues are very good and they crack me up one way or the other. I just can’t say this is better than that. They are all exceptionally outstanding...but my number one of all time is the legend himself--Ali Baba. And he’s in a world of his own. I also have great respect for Kevin Hart. Judging from your appearances on Instagram posts, you are one fashion enthusiast. How important is fashion and having a personal style in your profession?

Fashion is extremely important to me. I can’t be caught not looking good…not possible. We all need to be addressed well so we need to dress well.. What is your life’s philosophy, inspiration and biggest fear?

If my success cannot make another person successful, then I’m not a success yet. I get inspired everyday when I see the young Comedians that come to perform at my show “Seriously Funny With Efex”. The fact that I can impact their lives positively is just fulfilling for me. My biggest inspiration is God Almighty. I have a God who’s bigger than every situation so what is the fear for?