20 YEARS AS A COMEDIAN: How my grandma showed me the path to follow – I Go Dye

Since Ali Baba and his band of humour merchants arrived the scene of comedy in the country, a couple of decades ago, the terrain has adorned a new look, a look of glamour which is a sharp contrast to the bleak look we used to associate with comedians and their lots. Gone are the days people regarded comedians as misfits who should feed off the crumbs coming from the well-to-do Nigerians.

They are the ones calling the shots now and smiling to the bank. As Ali Baba once so blatantly declared “ Comedy is no longer a funny business but a serious business”.

Seeing how life has turned from a joke to a jute bag of goodies for today’s comedians, one can safely say, they are living their dreams. Though like every journey through a rough terrain most of these guys who are millionaires now, had to go through sorrow, tears and blood, like Fela would say. Almost everyone of them has a grass to grace story and Francis Agoda, people know as I Go Dye, is no exception.

We have seen his mansions. We have seen his beautiful family and we have heard his name being chanted, cheered and celebrated by the high and low but the road he travelled to fame and good fortune was never paved with gold. He had to wait in line and paid his dues. Hear his story:

In the beginning
“It all started way back in primary school after years of staying with my grandma in the village. When I started school, my peers were amazed at certain things I said because of my vast knowledge of issues relating to uprightness and the wisdom that I exhibited among my peers. Later, I started performing at events at a tender age and we, I Go Save and I, later developed mock news on Bendel Broadcasting Service, a program that we used to reflect on issues affecting our immediate environment.
At that time, it was expressing a normal hobby and interest, like playing football on the street. I was not concerned about anything, because there was no insight of earning any financial benefit from the talent. I just saw myself being sought by fans and neighbours who wanted me to be around them, just to make them laugh. So, to me, it was a delight, having the privilege to be needed around people older than me, all because I could say some things to make them laugh,” says the humour merchant who has embarked on a world tour to celebrate his 20 years as a professional stand-up comedian.

“Well, growing up wasn’t rosy at all,” he says. Some said they had silver spoon but for me, there was no spoon at all, it was just fending for myself. All my early days were spent in the village with my grandmother, who nurtured me with so much traditional values. These things later amused my peers when I got back to primary school in Warri. There was so much difficulty for my age mates to comprehend my ideas and values of life.

It was seen most times that I was saying things that were not achievable because they felt I knew more than my age. I had difficulty also conforming to their standard and it took me sometime to study their moral upbringing, which was different from the way life was in the village and living with an old woman. More so, the challenges of life were so much it took my strong personal conviction to stand firmly on my belief and dreams”

The talent
Contrary to the belief that comedians are born and not made, I Go Dye, believes having the talent is not enough to make it big. In his own opinion it is a combination of talent, hard-work and training.

“All of them compliment one another, but a rare talent is more elevating, considering that flexibility makes it easier to express the skills when the talent is there. But I strongly believe that preparedness creates room for excellence, so talent, hard-work and training are like the spiritual trinity in the Christian faith of comedy. You need all these to sustain the creativity” he enthused.

Handling difficult times
No entertainer would ever claim they had their road all laid out for them to walk over. There are always the high and low moments, which could and have made many of them throw in the towel. I Go Dye definitely had his share of moments of ups and downs. According to him it doesn’t matter how the situation turns out, it is how you turn in that matters most.

“In everyone’s life there are quiet moments of reflections, but that doesn’t mean discouragement. I have always nurtured a positive conviction regarding any decision that I take. Comedy had been my first love, even when life projected more seemingly advantageous opportunities, like the scholarship I won as a student, I still chose the comedy path.

It has been very demanding; establishing this brand and living with it without any scandal. At the early stage of my career, I had series of disappointing moments when I wasn’t seen as good enough to be on certain events. I was denied performance slots at the night of a thousand laughs four times. My major moment started after I earned the privilege to perform eventually at the night of a thousand laughs and the outcome of that year’s edition (2000), which brought unprecedented appeal and enthusiasm to Nigerians who started appreciating comedy across the shores of this country. I was subsequently offered a contract on a tour across countries in Europe. Along the line, I also featured in special events held by business executives, both for federal and state governments across the country. This soaring reputation helped my career to develop and inspired other comedians to walk into the comedy hall of fame.”

His rituals before going on stage
Every entertainer has a ritual or routine they go through before going on stage. In this regard, it is different strokes for different folks. While some may feel in need of a drink or to smoke, others simply go down on their knees to pray. For Francis Agoda, it is maintaining a positive mental outlook and more.

“I naturally have a quiet and calm disposition and luckily I do not see any reason to assume negative things. My major true-life story surrounding our existence as a people, so I leverage on this truth, to relate with every audience, depending on the type of event and the average age of the people involved. So I have developed a spontaneous approach that allows a steady flow of issues and a simple disposition that creates that realization of our collective responses on ethnic, religious, civil and professional levels. So, that keeps the audience to easily get in touch with the issues surrounding the jokes.”

Intimidation from other comedians
When asked if he had ever felt intimidated by other comedians during a show, knowing they might have done all he could possibly do to carry the crowd along, the star humour merchant retorted: “There is always the inner feeling that you are paid to come and perform a professional responsibility. I am almost saddled with the privilege to be the last comedian to be called on stage most times, so it has a challenging effect to maintain the tempo set by the other artistes. But that puts me on a constant need to live up to expectation.
But the most deciding factor is knowing and accepting that there is only one man on a stage at a time, so what happens before I go on stage is just what goes on after I leave the stage, because the stage will always accommodate the stars like the cloud.”

On always keeping his family in the background
Apart from a picture here or there, so little is known about I Go Dye’s family. There are even some people who believe the comedian is single. But he is very much married. So where does his family come in, in celebrating his 20 years career as a comedian?

“They are so closely associated and supportive of everything that you see around my brand today. I am lucky to be the man in the spotlight, but behind every extraordinary activity that is done, you can be rest assured that their collective input is there” he beamed.

Why he’s celebrating his 20th  anniversary as a comedian with a world tour from abroad and not from Nigeria
“The 20th anniversary is designed by my management company, they structured all the activities for the event in a way that they felt would achieve the best results. For a while now, I have not been able to create adequate means of reaching out to my numerous fans outside the country.

The 20th anniversary will kick off as planned, but it is just to keep fans happier and closer to the I Go Dye brand. My Nigerian fans are so special, letting them know that no matter how high we go, home is the best we shall bring the most electrifying moments back home.”

Speaking further on the anniversary, he said, “The synopsis of the 20th anniversary event will be unfolding one after the other. After the event at the indigo  02.UK, we shall unveil the rest of the program to the general public. But for now, let me just take you through the introduction slowly, through I Go Dye on a diplomatic mission, keeping you guessing and expecting the unexpected.

Most remarkable people he has met
In the course of his career I Go Dye has met many influential Nigerians, but who and who among them strikes him as an unusual personality and why?
“Everyone of my fans that had stopped me at any point in life, to express their love and appreciation for my work, has been so wonderful and they all remain so special in my thoughts. It really takes a selfless heart to openly appreciate one’s little effort, yes, I have met governors, presidents and other renowned personalities, but my fans are my true heroes. There cannot be enough words to express how inestimable they are to me”

The future he foresees for Nigeria
I see a great country; so strong in all standards. This country is divinely blessed. 20 years ago, there were no solid or rich entertainment profile in Nigeria, but today Nigerian entertainers are the pride of the Black race, translating their creativity into life-changing potentials and inspiring the younger generation all across the globe. This country will certainly grow much larger than it is right now in no distant future.

Disappearance of female varsity students: Parents cry to Buhari, Police

Parents of two female undergraduates of Ahmadu Bello University, ABU, Zaria, who mysteriously disappeared from school on February 6, 2016, without trace have appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and the police authorities to help locate the whereabout of their daughters and ensure their safe return.

Hawanat Adebanke Yusuf, 25 and Nasirat Oyeyemi, 18, both friends and 200 level students of Nursing left the school around 4pm after informing their room mates that they were going to buy some food items at Sabon-Geri market in the city. That was the last time anybody set eyes on them.

The distraught parents, Ibrahim Yusuf, 54, an indigene of Osun state residing at number 12, Alhaji Lasisi street, Idioro, Mushin, Lagos state and Oyeyemi Amisu, 54, from Kwara state said after they were informed of their daughters’ disappearance, they reported the case to the police in Kaduna.

How they got Missing
Yusuf said; “Both Hawanat and Nasirat live were in Queen Amina girls hostel, ABU, Zaria. On Sunday February 6th, 2016, at about 4pm, the two girls told their room-mates that they were going to buy some food items at Sabon Geri market, very close to their school. To the dismay of their colleagues, both friends did not return that same day. The room mates felt that they could have gone to see their relations hoping that they would return for lectures the following day Monday but, unfortunately, they did not return. Their colleagues were therefore worried and they began looking for our contacts in Zaria. When they contacted our relations in Zaria, it was discovered that the girls did not come to them and this heightened the suspicion that the girls might be missing.

Call from relations
‘’My relation in Zaria called to inform me about the development. On Tuesday morning, I embarked on a journey with my son, Ismail, to Kaduna and we met Nasirat’s father at the campus security post. We narrated our story to the security men at the post who sent one of them to go with us to Samaru Police station, very close to the school. We narrated the incident to the Divisional Police Officer and also asked him if it was possible to make a report at MTN office so that they could be traced through their phones. The DPO however asked us not to do so, saying that it was likely the girls eloped with their male friends. He later advised us to take the case to Kaduna State Security office in Zaria. When we got there, the officer in charge collected some information from us and promised to get back to us.

Complaint to the Muslim community
“Later, we were advised to seek the assistance of the Muslim community in the school. We met the President of Muslim Medical Students Association and other students. They were very compassionate, they asked questions about our daughters which we obliged them, while they prayed and advised us to pray for our children’s safe return. They later led us to the Vice Chancellor’s Office who confirmed that he received a report about the missing students and assured us that he would do everything possible to locate their whereabout. He later referred us to the Chief Security officer who informed that the school had already compiled all the necessary information that will assist in the search which will be sent to Kaduna State Security. Since then, we’ve been keeping in touch with them but till date, we’ve not heard any news about them.”

Attestation
He continued: ‘’ Hawanat is a decent girl. The statement by the DPO that thegirls might have eloped with male friends is not true. I swear with my life that my daughter is still a virgin. She is religious and was not the wayward type. She is my daughter and I know her very well. My daughter is the assistant class representative in her department. She takes her studies seriously. I wonder what she could be going through now. May God guide her wherever she is (shed tears)
“We have spent all we have trying to locate our daughter our daughter. We have visited so many places and every effort proved abortive. This incident happened since February, the police and other security agencies assured us that they are alive yet, they are no where to be found. I don’t know what to do any more. When my wife heard the news, she was devastated and has been ill. I wish I know the situation my daughter is going through right now.”

Father of the second missing girl, Amisu also told Crime Guard that : “Nasirat is a hard-working girl. She has always been guided by the dictates of her religion. She has never been a troublesome girl and I am bothered because I trust what my daughter can do. Contrary to what my daughter will never elope with a male friend. Since her disappearance, there has been confusion in the house. I cannot concentrate on my job any longer.”

Parents’ plea
We are therefore calling on President, Mohammadu Buhari, the governor of Kaduna state, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, the Inspector- General of police and all other security agencies in the country to intervene. We are appealing to them to please use their good offices to trace the whereabouts of our daughters. We believe that with their intervention, we will surely welcome our daughters back to us”

Parents Background
Ibrahim Yusuf is a retired Senior Liaison officer with Julius Berger and is blessed with five children, three boys and two girls. Hawanat is the third child of the family. Nasirat’s father, Oyeyemi Amisu, on the other hand, is a Teacher at Ansaru-Deen College, Ogba. He has four children and Nasirat is the second child.

NAFDAC destroys fake products worth N1bn in Ogun

National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, yesterday destroyed fake and unwholesome products worth over N1 billion in Ogun State.
    

The products destroyed included expired products voluntarily handed over by compliant companies in Nigeria

Other products destroyed were fake and counterfeit drugs seized by Investigation and Enforcement Directorate in Lagos State and environs, prohibited substandard and expired food products, cosmetics and other regulated products seized from manufacturers and importers as well as distributors.

Addressing journalists at the Sagamu Local Government Dumpsite, Ogun State, the Acting Director General of the Agency, Mrs Yetunde Oni who decried activities of drug counterfeiters described drug counterfeit as an act of economic sabotage and terrorism against public health.

Represented by the Director, Investigation and Enforcement Directorate, Mr. Kingsley Ejiofor, Oni noted that the Agency has continued to aggressively pursue the goals of ensuring that only genuine medicines and wholesome foods of the right quality are imported, exported, manufactured and distributed .

Orile Police detention of school kids: LASG wades in

The office of the Public Advice Centre (PAC), an initiative of the Lagos State Government, yesterday, invited Samuel Nwankwo, who recounted his ordeal at the Orile Police Station where he was illegally detained.
 In the same police cell that he was held he saw school children still in their uniforms. Police arrested them and asked their parents to bail them with various sums of money. Saturday Vanguard published his story last week and the Office of Public Advice invited him. Saturday Vanguard followed him to the police.

The 40-year-old business man who deals on furniture and interior decoration at the popular Alaba International Market, Ojo, Lagos, had alleged that he was detained after some armed men on mufti accosted him few poles to his residence at Chief Natufe Street, Surulere, around 2am while he was going home after a night out. He alleged that his explanations to the gun-totting men who later identified themselves as policemen from Orile Division fell on deaf ears as they bundled him into their bus after giving him hot slaps.

According to him, as soon as they got to the police station, they demanded for money for his release but he refused to oblige them insisting that they must tell him his offence. He was late thrown into the cell where he said that he saw some school children in uniform. They were also being detained for days while their parents were made to look for money ranging from N10,000 to N20,0000 for their release.

Meeting with PAC
Following the publication in Saturday Vanguard, Mr. Nwankwo was invited to Alausa office of the Centre where he met with six lawyers who are free legal advisers to the centre.

The lawyers who refused to disclose their names because the case was still under investigation asked the victim to write a statement about his contact with the policemen on the said day.

The victim proceeded to write a 2-page statement where he narrated his ordeal in the hands of the policemen. He later made photocopies of the statement, gave one to them and kept one.

After this, the leader of the team, a female lawyer, said they would look into the statement and take legal action. She assured that if what the victim said turns out to be true, the perpetrators will be punished, stating that they deal with thorough investigation of cases like this where human rights of individuals are violated and other related issues.

What PAC is all about
Lagos state Ministry of Justice Public Advice Centre PAC is an initiative of Lagos state government established to provide its citizens easy access to information and advice on a wide range of issues such as: Violation of Human rights, Environmental and other related matters, social welfare, Child rights, social exclusion, discrimination and many others.

They serve as an interface to provide information and legal advice to members of the public, dealing with agencies of government, organized private sector, Human Rights Desk, state Welfare departments and other justice sector institutions. They also assist government by collecting data to be used in policy formulation.

How we came about the story
The female leader of the team who sought strict anonymity told Crime Guard how they came about the story. “We have a public relation officer who always read the contents of all newspapers everyday and whenever we find a story in relation to human rights or child abuse, we pick up the story. What captivated us was the headline of the story in Saturday Vanguard.

It was the fact that under-aged school kids in uniforms were detained for days in a police cell while their parents were forced to look for money to bail them out. We concluded that it was a child abuse story and we picked interest and started looking for the victim, Mr. Sammuel.

PAC is a free legal system that is accessible to all, particularly people in dire need of legal advice and those who have been socially excluded or subjected to discrimination. What we normally do is to gather relevant evidence from our client, we do thorough investigations and then follow every legal means to get justice for them.”

Tragedy as two trapped in underground tank in Lagos

Tragedy struck, yesterday, at Berger area of Lagos when two male adults were trapped in an underground tank during a cleaning exercise carried out by a gas station in the early hours of yesterday.

The incident occurred at Oando bus-stop at about 6.10am.
          

It was gathered that the victims were contractors engaged to renovate the underground tank of the gas station. Unfortunately this turned sour as the two workers were later recovered dead yesterday.

Saturday Vanguard gathered that the gas station Fagbems was undergoing renovation as at the time of the incident when the victims, simply identified as Adekunle Ipaye and ‘’United” who were cleaning the confined underground tank of the gas station got suffocated due to the confinement.

Their bodies were later recovered by the state Emergency Response Team ERT, and deposited in the morgue.

It was gathered that their death spurred immediate investigations by the ERT which revealed that they died as a result of suffocation and gas emission inside the underground tank.

The incident was confirmed by both Lagos State Fire Service and Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA.

LASEMA boss Michael Akindele who confirmed the incident warned contractors to always adhere to safety rules in the state.

Akindele said proper investigation would be conducted to ascertain the cause of the incident.

Easter: Lagos offers residents free bus ride to cushion effect of fuel scarcity

Lagos State Government has concluded arrangements to deploy security personnel around public and private recreational centers and other strategic areas across the state during the Easter celebration period as part of measures to further protect lives and properties of residents.
     

This came as the state opened the newly completed recreational parks at Ikorodu and Badagry for public use during the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

General Manager, Lagos State Parks and Garden Agency, LASPARK, Mrs. Abimbola Jijoho-Ogun disclosed this Thursday, at Alausa, while briefing on the activities of the agency.

Jijoho-Ogun who said the move was based on the directive of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, adding that the measure to deploy more security personnel to parks became necessary to prevent any act of terrorism or harassment by hoodlums to fun seekers and residents.

It will be recalled that hoodlums attacked, molested and robbed fun seekers of their valuables at National Theatre, Iganmu, during the last Christmas celebration.

“We have made adequate plans to deploy security personnel at both public and private run parks across the state. This is so to give more protection to people and further ensure their safety.

Offers free bus ride for Easter

Commuters along the Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, and Bus Franchise Scheme, BFS, corridors would enjoy free ride in commemoration of Easter.

Acting Managing Director of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, LAMATA, Mr. Iyiola Adegboye said the free bus service was part of government’s effort to help commuters move around with ease in the face of the current fuel scarcity.

The free bus service would be offered on the BRT corridor from Ikorodu to CMS by Primero Transport Services Limited, operator of the Ikorodu to CMS BRT system while Capetrust Investment Ltd, operator of the BFS would offered free bus service along the Maryland–Ikeja-Iyana-Ipaja-Ikotun-Igando corridor.

Adegboye while felicitating with residents on the Easter holiday said the state government was poised to ensure that the vision for a world class transport for Lagos became a reality.