As a Comedian, My Wife Doesn't Joke with Me
Okey Bakassi
You open your mouth in sheer disbelief. Your eyes pop out with incredulity written all over your face. You let the tears flow freely from your eyes as you are thrilled by excitement. You laugh till you begin to feel that your ribs are cracking. You need to hold on to your seat not to fall down reeling with laughter. And through those tears-filled eyes you look at him and exclaim, “Oh Okey Bakassi no go kill person!” In movies, music videos and shows, his performances have bordered on the hilarious to the mischievous.
A show stopper, eclectic character and one of the pioneers of stand-up comedy in Nigeria, Okey Bakassi’s –real name, Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule –rise to the top didn’t start in a day. In this interview with Oge Ezeliora, Okey Bakassi takes you through the narrative of personal struggle of homelessness, living thousands of miles away from his beautiful and lovely three kids, how he met his wife, why he went into politics and what he plans to do in future
• My Wife is the Best Woman in the World
• All My Children Were Born and Are Being Raised in Canada
• I Was Close to Living under the Bridge at a Point in My Life
• I Started My Career in the Banking Sector
What is your real name and why do people call Okey Bakassi?
• My Wife is the Best Woman in the World
• All My Children Were Born and Are Being Raised in Canada
• I Was Close to Living under the Bridge at a Point in My Life
• I Started My Career in the Banking Sector
What is your real name and why do people call Okey Bakassi?
My parents named me Okechukwu Anthony Onyegbule. But my friends call me Okey Bakassi. I did not choose the name ‘Bakassi’ but my friends in the entertainment industry gave me the name. The name ‘Bakassi’ became popular because it sounds funny. Aside that, when I came into the entertainment industry newly, I was looking for a name that would be catchy and easy for my fans to pick irrespective of their tribes or wherever they come from. That was how the coinage of ‘Okey MC Anthony’ came up. Okey is the short form of Okechukwu. Anthony is my real name but I acquired the ‘MC’ from my university days and added it to Anthony. That was how I became MC Anthony then. Today, by the special grace of God, I am an actor, movie producer, a director and a stand-up comedian. I bless God for this. E no easy my sister. Let me not go into details, but I really worked hard to get to where I am today. I did all I could just to belong to the class of entertainers in Nigeria and today I am a celebrity. So, I Thank God.
Let’s talk about your background, where do you come from?
I am the first son from a family of five children. I was born on October 23, 1969 to Mr. Livinus Onyegbule, a retired military man. My mother’s name is Felicia Onyegbule, and she is a nurse. I had my primary education at Alvan Ikoku Demonstration School, Owerri, Imo State, before I got admission to Mbaise Secondary School, in Imo. After my secondary education, I got admission into the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, where I studied agricultural engineering for five years. And I graduated in 1992. For my National Youth Service Corps I was posted to Lagos State.
Of all professions, why did you choose entertainment and how did you manage to excel to the top?
I chose to go into the entertainment industry because it is a profession that always delights me. I weighed all the options, I found out that entertainment is the only profession that has no retirement age. Besides you don’t need qualification to get to the top. All you need to do is to be talented and know how to use your talent properly and the sky will be your limit. For me, it was easy because I started from my school days. I started entertainment when I was in the university. I actually started at Federal Government College, Port Harcourt. But it became more prominent when I went into the university. I joined a group called ‘Theatre Colleagues’. I participated in stage plays and stand-up comedy sketches.
But those were the amateur days. We weren’t doing it to earn money. It was just for fun. After my NYSC, I stayed back in Lagos. God led me to a popular movie producer and director, Zeb Ejiro; I call him Uncle Zeb, who in 1993 gave me the first opportunity to appear on a network television programme called ‘Fortunes’ and I played the role of Nick, one of the Johnson’s bodyguards. I featured in about eleven episodes of the soap opera before the home video industry took the centre stage. I took a bold step to be in the entertainment industry because it is one area that gives me joy. I thank God for the fame I have today. I guess I made the right choice, if you ask me.
And how did you survive in Lagos after your NYSC though you had no job and what made you believe that you would succeed?
I started as a beginner and nobody was ready to help me at that time. I was a mobile squatter because I couldn’t afford to rent an apartment in Lagos. At a point, I came close to living under the bridge. There was this particular night I had nowhere to sleep. I strolled out of the house with no particular destination in mind. After roaming the streets, I didn’t know where to pass the night. Then, I remembered a friend who was living at Amuwo-Odofin at that time. I approached him to allow me squat with him. After talking to his family members, I was told to stay. I was happy. To me, it was one of the greatest favours anybody would do for me. They accommodated me for months and I was like a member of that family. When I decided to go and live with a relative at Agege, that family didn’t want me to leave. I eventually moved in with that relative; afterwards, I rented a one-room apartment at Palmgrove in 1996. From there I moved to Festac Town where I got a better apartment before God started opening doors for me.
Are you still in touch with your friend that accommodated you?
Yes, I am. Once a friend, always a friend; I still visit the family till date.
Was it lack of job that made you to become a comedian?
No way! I had passion for it. I did my NYSC in the banking sector. Specifically, I served in the Bank of Industry. I was close to securing a job with an agricultural firm based in Apapa (Lagos) then. That was my biggest dilemma. I knew if I had taken that job, I wouldn’t have been in showbiz because it wouldn’t have given me the time. I went to a friend of mine and discussed my dilemma with him. He advised that I would make it if I work hard and be my own boss and not work for somebody. I decided to be on my own. I didn’t want to have any regrets. I kept reinventing myself and God helped me.
How long have you been in comedy business?
I have been in this business for about 20 years.
You don’t talk much about the woman in your life. You are married, how come she is not popular?
I don’t talk about my wife. My reason is to protect her image from the press. Besides, she is not a celebrity how do you want her to be popular? All I can tell you is that I am a family man and I have lovely children.
What is her name?
I call her Zizi. She is my childhood sweetheart, my ribs and my best friend.
What about your children, how many are they?
I have three children; I have been married for 14 years now. My first child is 12 years old, the second just turned 10 recently and the last boy of the house is six.
Is she in support of your career? How does she cope living with a comedian?
She is very supportive of my career. I love her and I doubt if I would have been where I am now if not for her support. She does not joke with me. Seeing me alone gives her great joy. Most times she will express her happiness in so many ways that I cannot explain to you. The truth is that, my wife understands me more than anybody.
Why did you allow your wife and young kids to live abroad while you are in Nigeria?
Well, it is a decision I and my wife took before having children. We planned it that way. My children don’t live in Nigeria they were all born and raised in Canada because of the stress and fears of raising kids in Nigeria. Although, there were rumours that I was hiding my family in Canada, but I don’t care what people say. I am comfortable with them living abroad while I am making the money here. My wife is the best woman in the world. I wouldn’t have been anywhere near successful without my wife. She is the reason behind my success. In fact, she is the brain behind all my achievements.
How often do you travel to see your family?
Hmmm! Let me not count; all I know is that I shuttle between Nigeria and Canada. Travelling is part of my hobbies so I don’t complain at all. But, if any other comedian tries to do what I do, the person’s career will hit the rocks. I am the only person that can leave comedy business for three years and come back and still be relevant. I have been doing it (shuttling between Canada and Nigeria) for the past 12 years. So, imagine I haven’t gone anywhere, I will probably own everywhere. Please allow me to brag a little bit. It is hard work and God. My kids are doing fantastically well. They are making me and their mum proud.
How do you relax with your family?
I celebrate my family every day. Do you know I often travel to visit them in a year? My children are fond of me all the time. It goes beyond celebrating them on social media when it comes to celebration. We go out together and enjoying one another’s company.
What makes you a good comedian, and the proud father of three?
Well as a father you must be a talkative. Your character must entail originality, spontaneity, and continuity. You must be a master storyteller. You have to have that craftsmanship of a storyteller. You must be spontaneous in your jokes. You have to be original; don’t depend on people’s jokes. That is why you see some comedians fade way because they depend on other people’s joke. Just depend on God’s given talent and you will get there.
Today many comedians have their own shows but nothing has been heard from you. Are you not thinking of doing your own show?
When the brand Okey Bakassi started, we did all the things people are doing now. I had ‘Laughter Fiesta.’ We even did the Canadian edition before we rested it. I have been here long enough to know that I want to do what I want to do and not because my colleagues are doing it. What I am worried about is how to expand my brand. I will not get up at this time to do concert just because others are doing it. It is not good. I have some things in the pipeline. Some would be TV-based. There are so many things a comedian can do beside comedy show. I can’t make them public now.
So how did you start featuring in comedy movies?
Somebody came and said he wanted to do a musical video at that time. It was called ‘Love without language.’ We went on set. The movie was fast becoming more of a comedy movie. The success of that movie made them to shoot a sequel. It was so hilarious that when Nkem Owoh wanted to do ‘Pam Pam Pam,’ he came looking for me. The movie was also successful that he also came looking for me when he shot ‘Yogo Pam Pam.’ He followed it with ‘Kiss me quick.’ My early days, I didn’t play comedy. It just happened that when the comedy movies came out, they sold very well and people started doing more of comedy. That is how I have been doing more of comedy movies.
Tell us how you went into politics some years ago, how you got a political appointment and vied for a seat in the state’s House of Assembly?
I got into politics by accident. When I went into politics, the politicians saw another kind of person. They said they thought I was just a comedian. They realised there are many parts to my person. I was never involved in partisan politics. On arrival at the government house because the previous governor of Imo was my friend, I started learning. My eyes opened about the challenges of governance. I realised that it wasn’t proper to just sit down and criticise what the government does; somebody has to do the job and make it better. Instead of saying things are not properly done in my area, I decided to get them done. I have exposure, I have worked with people. I decided I could bring a change. In order to do that, I had to go through a party who would select me as a candidate. It was at the stage of the primaries that I was removed.
How did you meet former governor of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim who connected you?
One day, the owner of the club popularly known as Night-shift Coliseum, Ken-Caleb Olumese organised his usual grand house reception for the governor and I was invited. I had an event on the Island that day. By the time I got to the coliseum, the event had already started. Based on personal recognition, I was allowed to enter. In the course of the interactive session, I contributed. I told the governor one or two things he could do to leverage on the abundance of talents in the state. When he was responding, he offered me an appointment as a special adviser and said I should come to Owerri to pick up my appointment letter.
So you were not close to him?
We were not close and I didn’t rush to him after he invited me. Some of my friends asked me why I hadn’t gone and I told them I didn’t think the man was serious. They said the man offered me the appointment publicly so I should go to Owerri. I came back to Lagos and people still advised me to go back. I went and I stayed two weeks again and I came back. I was still asked to go again. I did but this time, I met the Secretary to the State Government and I got the appointment letter. That was when I realised the appointment was real.
Any experience you’ll like to share on time spent playing politics?
The most corrupt people in Nigeria today are not the politicians but the civil service. Politics made me stronger. It was a whole new experience. It was as challenging as it was rewarding. It opened up a whole new world I never knew existed. You know how other people would sit back and assume whatever we can about politics and governance and politicians. It made me see public service in a different light that we don’t even know. I now believe people get the governance they deserve. If the government is bad in Nigeria, the people chose to elect bad government.
People always shy away from the role they play on why government is bad. The most a governor can do is eight years in government and he is gone. But the civil servants are there forever. They are the ones who corrupt the system. The permanent secretaries are always there. The directors would never wish to go on transfer. You would see a director in the Ministry of Lands; he would own more properties than any governor you would think of. If the director is told tomorrow to leave that position, that governor becomes a bad person. The civil service law makes it difficult for you to fire them even when they are incompetent.
Let’s talk about your background, where do you come from?
I am the first son from a family of five children. I was born on October 23, 1969 to Mr. Livinus Onyegbule, a retired military man. My mother’s name is Felicia Onyegbule, and she is a nurse. I had my primary education at Alvan Ikoku Demonstration School, Owerri, Imo State, before I got admission to Mbaise Secondary School, in Imo. After my secondary education, I got admission into the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, where I studied agricultural engineering for five years. And I graduated in 1992. For my National Youth Service Corps I was posted to Lagos State.
Of all professions, why did you choose entertainment and how did you manage to excel to the top?
I chose to go into the entertainment industry because it is a profession that always delights me. I weighed all the options, I found out that entertainment is the only profession that has no retirement age. Besides you don’t need qualification to get to the top. All you need to do is to be talented and know how to use your talent properly and the sky will be your limit. For me, it was easy because I started from my school days. I started entertainment when I was in the university. I actually started at Federal Government College, Port Harcourt. But it became more prominent when I went into the university. I joined a group called ‘Theatre Colleagues’. I participated in stage plays and stand-up comedy sketches.
But those were the amateur days. We weren’t doing it to earn money. It was just for fun. After my NYSC, I stayed back in Lagos. God led me to a popular movie producer and director, Zeb Ejiro; I call him Uncle Zeb, who in 1993 gave me the first opportunity to appear on a network television programme called ‘Fortunes’ and I played the role of Nick, one of the Johnson’s bodyguards. I featured in about eleven episodes of the soap opera before the home video industry took the centre stage. I took a bold step to be in the entertainment industry because it is one area that gives me joy. I thank God for the fame I have today. I guess I made the right choice, if you ask me.
And how did you survive in Lagos after your NYSC though you had no job and what made you believe that you would succeed?
I started as a beginner and nobody was ready to help me at that time. I was a mobile squatter because I couldn’t afford to rent an apartment in Lagos. At a point, I came close to living under the bridge. There was this particular night I had nowhere to sleep. I strolled out of the house with no particular destination in mind. After roaming the streets, I didn’t know where to pass the night. Then, I remembered a friend who was living at Amuwo-Odofin at that time. I approached him to allow me squat with him. After talking to his family members, I was told to stay. I was happy. To me, it was one of the greatest favours anybody would do for me. They accommodated me for months and I was like a member of that family. When I decided to go and live with a relative at Agege, that family didn’t want me to leave. I eventually moved in with that relative; afterwards, I rented a one-room apartment at Palmgrove in 1996. From there I moved to Festac Town where I got a better apartment before God started opening doors for me.
Are you still in touch with your friend that accommodated you?
Yes, I am. Once a friend, always a friend; I still visit the family till date.
Was it lack of job that made you to become a comedian?
No way! I had passion for it. I did my NYSC in the banking sector. Specifically, I served in the Bank of Industry. I was close to securing a job with an agricultural firm based in Apapa (Lagos) then. That was my biggest dilemma. I knew if I had taken that job, I wouldn’t have been in showbiz because it wouldn’t have given me the time. I went to a friend of mine and discussed my dilemma with him. He advised that I would make it if I work hard and be my own boss and not work for somebody. I decided to be on my own. I didn’t want to have any regrets. I kept reinventing myself and God helped me.
How long have you been in comedy business?
I have been in this business for about 20 years.
You don’t talk much about the woman in your life. You are married, how come she is not popular?
I don’t talk about my wife. My reason is to protect her image from the press. Besides, she is not a celebrity how do you want her to be popular? All I can tell you is that I am a family man and I have lovely children.
What is her name?
I call her Zizi. She is my childhood sweetheart, my ribs and my best friend.
What about your children, how many are they?
I have three children; I have been married for 14 years now. My first child is 12 years old, the second just turned 10 recently and the last boy of the house is six.
Is she in support of your career? How does she cope living with a comedian?
She is very supportive of my career. I love her and I doubt if I would have been where I am now if not for her support. She does not joke with me. Seeing me alone gives her great joy. Most times she will express her happiness in so many ways that I cannot explain to you. The truth is that, my wife understands me more than anybody.
Why did you allow your wife and young kids to live abroad while you are in Nigeria?
Well, it is a decision I and my wife took before having children. We planned it that way. My children don’t live in Nigeria they were all born and raised in Canada because of the stress and fears of raising kids in Nigeria. Although, there were rumours that I was hiding my family in Canada, but I don’t care what people say. I am comfortable with them living abroad while I am making the money here. My wife is the best woman in the world. I wouldn’t have been anywhere near successful without my wife. She is the reason behind my success. In fact, she is the brain behind all my achievements.
How often do you travel to see your family?
Hmmm! Let me not count; all I know is that I shuttle between Nigeria and Canada. Travelling is part of my hobbies so I don’t complain at all. But, if any other comedian tries to do what I do, the person’s career will hit the rocks. I am the only person that can leave comedy business for three years and come back and still be relevant. I have been doing it (shuttling between Canada and Nigeria) for the past 12 years. So, imagine I haven’t gone anywhere, I will probably own everywhere. Please allow me to brag a little bit. It is hard work and God. My kids are doing fantastically well. They are making me and their mum proud.
How do you relax with your family?
I celebrate my family every day. Do you know I often travel to visit them in a year? My children are fond of me all the time. It goes beyond celebrating them on social media when it comes to celebration. We go out together and enjoying one another’s company.
What makes you a good comedian, and the proud father of three?
Well as a father you must be a talkative. Your character must entail originality, spontaneity, and continuity. You must be a master storyteller. You have to have that craftsmanship of a storyteller. You must be spontaneous in your jokes. You have to be original; don’t depend on people’s jokes. That is why you see some comedians fade way because they depend on other people’s joke. Just depend on God’s given talent and you will get there.
Today many comedians have their own shows but nothing has been heard from you. Are you not thinking of doing your own show?
When the brand Okey Bakassi started, we did all the things people are doing now. I had ‘Laughter Fiesta.’ We even did the Canadian edition before we rested it. I have been here long enough to know that I want to do what I want to do and not because my colleagues are doing it. What I am worried about is how to expand my brand. I will not get up at this time to do concert just because others are doing it. It is not good. I have some things in the pipeline. Some would be TV-based. There are so many things a comedian can do beside comedy show. I can’t make them public now.
So how did you start featuring in comedy movies?
Somebody came and said he wanted to do a musical video at that time. It was called ‘Love without language.’ We went on set. The movie was fast becoming more of a comedy movie. The success of that movie made them to shoot a sequel. It was so hilarious that when Nkem Owoh wanted to do ‘Pam Pam Pam,’ he came looking for me. The movie was also successful that he also came looking for me when he shot ‘Yogo Pam Pam.’ He followed it with ‘Kiss me quick.’ My early days, I didn’t play comedy. It just happened that when the comedy movies came out, they sold very well and people started doing more of comedy. That is how I have been doing more of comedy movies.
Tell us how you went into politics some years ago, how you got a political appointment and vied for a seat in the state’s House of Assembly?
I got into politics by accident. When I went into politics, the politicians saw another kind of person. They said they thought I was just a comedian. They realised there are many parts to my person. I was never involved in partisan politics. On arrival at the government house because the previous governor of Imo was my friend, I started learning. My eyes opened about the challenges of governance. I realised that it wasn’t proper to just sit down and criticise what the government does; somebody has to do the job and make it better. Instead of saying things are not properly done in my area, I decided to get them done. I have exposure, I have worked with people. I decided I could bring a change. In order to do that, I had to go through a party who would select me as a candidate. It was at the stage of the primaries that I was removed.
How did you meet former governor of Imo state, Ikedi Ohakim who connected you?
One day, the owner of the club popularly known as Night-shift Coliseum, Ken-Caleb Olumese organised his usual grand house reception for the governor and I was invited. I had an event on the Island that day. By the time I got to the coliseum, the event had already started. Based on personal recognition, I was allowed to enter. In the course of the interactive session, I contributed. I told the governor one or two things he could do to leverage on the abundance of talents in the state. When he was responding, he offered me an appointment as a special adviser and said I should come to Owerri to pick up my appointment letter.
So you were not close to him?
We were not close and I didn’t rush to him after he invited me. Some of my friends asked me why I hadn’t gone and I told them I didn’t think the man was serious. They said the man offered me the appointment publicly so I should go to Owerri. I came back to Lagos and people still advised me to go back. I went and I stayed two weeks again and I came back. I was still asked to go again. I did but this time, I met the Secretary to the State Government and I got the appointment letter. That was when I realised the appointment was real.
Any experience you’ll like to share on time spent playing politics?
The most corrupt people in Nigeria today are not the politicians but the civil service. Politics made me stronger. It was a whole new experience. It was as challenging as it was rewarding. It opened up a whole new world I never knew existed. You know how other people would sit back and assume whatever we can about politics and governance and politicians. It made me see public service in a different light that we don’t even know. I now believe people get the governance they deserve. If the government is bad in Nigeria, the people chose to elect bad government.
People always shy away from the role they play on why government is bad. The most a governor can do is eight years in government and he is gone. But the civil servants are there forever. They are the ones who corrupt the system. The permanent secretaries are always there. The directors would never wish to go on transfer. You would see a director in the Ministry of Lands; he would own more properties than any governor you would think of. If the director is told tomorrow to leave that position, that governor becomes a bad person. The civil service law makes it difficult for you to fire them even when they are incompetent.
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