Warri-born comedian, Akpororo, is fast-gaining prominence in Nigerian standup comedy. In this interview, he speaks with LAWRENCE AMAKU on his artistry, versatility and how comedy saved him from the jaws of poverty.
What’s your real name?
My real name is Bowoto Jephta. But people know me as Akpororo; I’m a comedian with so much swagger and too much anointing.
When did you start comedy?
I started comedy around 2008 and had my breakthrough in 2010 and I’m happy because levels don change.
Were you cut out for comedy from the outset or you tried other things before settling for comedy?
I sing, play football, table tennis; I also swim, I dance I sing and I also play basketball. In fact, people pay me compliments and tell me that I’m gifted. But when I tried comedy, it gelled and I stuck to it. And you know, when poverty deals with you, as it did to me, you will be forced to discover the talents in you.
Where or how do you get the inspiration to tell jokes?
I get my inspiration from the Bible and messages preached in the church. I was a choir member. You know, most of my jokes are about pastors and madmen because in my church they cure madmen. In fact, I was the one who used to bathe madmen in my church.
Did your Niger Delta background influence your choice of career?
Of course, I will say it did. You know in Warri, everybody is funny, even including your papa and mama sef.
Have you ever had an embarrassing moment on stage, like being bereft of ideas while performing?
Yes, but I can’t remember the year. That was then, But I thank God one has outgrown all that.
Why are you always critical of Nigerian gospel songs in your jokes?
On a serious note, I don’t hate Nigerian gospel music and musicians. As a matter of fact, I’m a singer; I just use them for joke.
What was the experience like participating in the Nigerian Kings of Comedy Olympics edition last year?
It was a great experience for me. It made me feel great, especially when I consider my background.
Who do you look up to as a model in comedy?
My role model, when I was coming up, were Gordons and Gandoki. Then my bishop, Bishop Matthew; one is a comedian the other is a bishop. That makes me four in one (laughs).
Academic background
Heh, e no funny o. It was from one school to another, because there was no money to continue in each one. After spending one term in one school, I would wait until my parents raised money to pay for another term in another school. But we bless God for where we are today. Now, I’m in Lagos State University studying Sociology.
Did your parents support your choice of career, when you started?
My parents did not support me, when I started. But with time, they didn’t have a choice than to key in into my ‘ministry’ (comedy) when I started making headway with it. But it wasn’t funny.
Where do you go for holidays or relaxation?
I just sit at home, when I’m less busy or go for swimming. Sometimes, I chat with my cousins and friends and play games. I play in my streets too, that’s where I get my jokes from.
Your favourite designer wears?
I love suits a lot, especially yuppy, homeboy suits. I love them a lot.
Your favourite car?
My favourite car has not been manufactured, I have to wait until it is out.
What’s your biggest pay?
Aah, I no fit talk o. Abeg, let’s not talk about that.
Are you married?
No, I’m still single.
How do you handle scandals?
Well, I think the best way to handle scandals is to steer clear of them. You know, when you are nobody, no one seems to know that you exist, but when you acquire fame people will begin to say or do things to get your attention, and one of them is scandals. Even if you try to avoid them, they come after you.
What pranks did you play while growing up?
They are many oh, but the one that readily comes to mind is when I used to steal meat from the pot. Then because we knew that the punishment that was meted out for such offence was beating and since we were used to being beaten that even made us brazen out.
Do you have any regret being a comedian?
No, I have no regret whatsoever. If there was any alternative for comedy it would have been music, because I was into music before going into comedy. I thank God for leading me into comedy, otherwise I would have continued to wallow in poverty.
Have you ever told someone else’s jokes before?
Yes o, no comedian can claim that he has never cracked another person’s joke. I started with people’s jokes, like I Go Die, BasketMouth and Gandoki.
What other activities are you engaged in?
I’m a singer, I’m in the choir, I’m planning to release my musical album, this year.
Do you have your own show?
For now, none, but I normally do a concert in my area in Okuku called ‘Ojo mega bridge jam’ because I have a praise concert, I have a choir and I have dancers.
Let’s imagine government bans pidgin English, what do you think will happen to standup comedy in Nigeria?
E no go funny o, but seriously Nigerian comedy is not always about pidgin English, a good number of guys do comedy in English, especially at corporate events.
Which one fetches you more money— standup comedy or compering?
Both of them bring me money. There are times I get invitations to handle comedy roles at events, but I do more of standup comedy.