NIGERIA'S BOOMING COMEDY INDUSTRY

We wake up daily to one news or the other. Usually bad news. A tragic accident somewhere in Ikorodu, Boko Haram bombing a school in the north, girls being raped, people being used for rituals, the list is endless. There just seems to be something going on that causes you to think about life. So it is actually nice when sometimes we can forget about our troubles for a while and just laugh. What is nicer is when people make us laugh and there are people who are naturally gifted at it. Many years back, who would have thought we would have a thriving comedy industry in Nigeria? Many of Nigeria's popular comedians started out earning peanuts for a show and now we have many who have grown so much, comedy has become their only means of income. It is great that this is happening as it provides an avenue for raw talents to find a place that works for them easily. We need these people because they remind us that the world is not such a terrible place full of situations and circumstances that steal our joy. It is also really great that we can sit back and listen to how they struggled and overcame and are where they are now with hopes that they still have much more to achieve. I think it is inspiring hearing stories of how comedians like Basket Mouth started out and his struggles. I had the opportunity to listen to him at a recent youth seminar and it was motivating cos dreams do come true. No matter the situation you finds yourself in today, tomorrow can be different. We did a story recently on comedy in Nigeria. It is not just the movie and music industry that is booming. Add comedy to the list. Thanks to those who had the foresight to pioneer it. Who were bold enough to withstand their parents and say this is what I want to do. Despite the mockery and no one believing in them, they were resilient. We need more people who can stand for what they believe in without wavering as long as it is true, just and in right-standing with God.

Basket Mouth speaking at a Youth Seminar

Basket Mouth - Pic Courtesy Angela Ukomadu/Seun Sanni

Click on link below to watch the video.

Comedy business booms in Nigeria