Yesterday, we published Comedian Yaw’s opinion on the trending issue of celebrity baby daddies and why those that sold expensive Asoebi should refund the money as soon as their marriage crashes.
Today we bring you the full exclusive interview where he talks about Nigerian’s tomato struggle, economic situation of Nigeria, Buhari, Celebrity Beefs, High profile celebrity weddings and lots more.
Excerpts…
KFB: Your upcoming show is entitled Shalanga (Pit Latrine), why such name?
Yaw: It is satire; about everything that happens in the country. Political, entertainment sector, society, and lots more. It was written by Femi Branch.
Shalanga is pit latrine and Nigeria is just like that. Everybody comes from nowhere, poos into the laterine and leave. nobody cares about what happens to the ‘Shalanga’ (the country).
KFB: This is the 8th edition of your show, back to back, what should your fans expect?
Yaw: It is usually a recap of everything that has happened in Nigeria between the last show and this upcoming one. All the promises this new government made to us and haven’t fulfilled. The N5,000 promise and a whole lot. We have a lots of a-list music artistes, comedians, drama, and more to add fun to it all.
KFB: We do follow your early morning program on Wazobia FM, from the way you have been criticizing the government, are you Anti-Buhari?
Yaw: No…No. I’m not. In capital letters ‘I AM NOT’. I’m not anti any government. The corruption has been since 1960, it is not new. Then a lot of people are expecting Buhari to perform magic within 4 years, he can’t do it. He is not a magician. Four years is not enough.
He is fighting corruption, we all know that, but they should not witch hunt. Even in his team, they are still some corrupt members.
But all Nigerian need to do is just to support him in whatever he is doing.
KFB: Did you vote for him during the last general election?
Yaw: No! i didn’t, because I was working. I was on radio. You know we had to be on air.
KFB: Now to the issue of fuel subsidy removal, what’s your take on it?
Yaw: I’m not in support of it. The masses are the ones suffering the most. There is no light, people have to buy fuel for their Generators, pay extra for transportation. Salaries haven’t been increased. So how do you want people to cope?
No light, increased fuel price, no food, ban on importation, companies in Nigeria can’t function well, the masses are crying. Four year won’t be enough for Buhari to sort all these.
KFB: So are you saying, Nigerians should prepare to vote for him for a second term?
Yaw: I’m not saying there should be a second term. Even 8 years is not enough because everybody is corrupt from the bottom. Do you know what is happening in Ministries, offices? If you go to them, they will tell you they can’t find your file, but when you give them some money, they will see the file within 5 seconds.
KFB: Now some Labour leaders are on strike, while others are not, what do you think happened?
Yaw: Even the Ministers know that NLC is divided. i think a lot of Nigerians are not interested in the strike. But my own anger with NLC is that when there was fuel scarcity that lasted for over two months, they didn’t do anything . No action was taken.
Now that fuel is everywhere and the price was increased, they are coming out to protest. As far as i’m concerned they just indirectly increased the fuel price. Let’s leave all these whole subsidy stuff.
KFB: Tomatoes too have been affected, how are you coping?
Yaw: (laughs) People don’t cook rice and stew anymore. It is just jollof rice coloring. Rice and crayfish with Palm oil, then you add small pepper- food is ready. Now we use tatachi and onions to cook stew, eat and be happy.
KFB: Away from the Government, back to the industry, this year started with beefs here and there, is this really healthy for Nigerian entertainment industry?
Yaw: Yes! It is very good for the industry, it makes guys like you very busy. Then the celebrities become more popular. If they release songs within the beef periods, fans would rush it. So you see, beef sells for them.
KFB: Then the issue of everybody turning to a Baby daddy…?
Yaw: That is what they want to do. All man for himself, God for us all. Flavour said, if he marries that it would disturb him, well he knows what he is saying. Everybody can’t be Flavour. Whatever makes you fine, then do it and be fine.
KFB: With your wealth of experience what’s your advise for your colleagues based on this babymama issue?
Yaw: Well, if you think being married would make you a better person, please look well before you do so. A lot of people who get married these day, after all the Asoebis and exotic weddings, then they break-up.
They sell very expensive Aso-ebi and painfully, when they break up, they wont refund our money for the Aso-ebi. ‘ e dey pain me’. They should always return the money when the marriage ends.
Then one very important thing is that they should learn to do their things on low key. They should know that they are already on the limelight and people are looking at them from all angles. If you cough, they will laugh.
The worse part is that, nowadays, every family issue they have, they write on social media. They don’t know that some people are happier seeing them go through problems. They assume that people feel pity for them, not at all. They are happy seeing and reading about your downfall.
They should stop all those things, it doesn’t pay and takes them to nowhere.
KFB: Yaw as a brand has been there for a very long time, what keeps you going?
Yaw: I think it is just the fear of the unknown. The fear of failing. So i just keep going. Most importantly, The Almighty God. Then prayers of the strong ones besides, in front and behind me.
KFB: You have been in the entertainment industry for 21 years, have you ever contemplated quitting?
Yaw: No! Right from when i started, i know challenges are part of what would make me stand out. I think it was an opportunity for me to get better. I have always believed that i would get to somewhere big some day, although i am not there yet, but very soon.
KFB: You are a mentor to a some up and coming comic acts, what’s your everyday advise to them?
Yaw: Being a good comedian, has a lot to do with research. you must read and know things. you must be very aware of whats going on around you. Then be very spontaneous.
KFB: Your shows always major on issues surrounding the government, have you ever been threatened to stop?
Yaw: No at all! The ones that are friends amongst them, would talk to me one on one and maybe say ‘be careful what you are saying’, then they will just laugh.
Meanwhile, don’t forget, all these things had been said on social media, so it is not really new. We are just making drama out of it, so why would someone threaten us?
KFB: Whats your prayer for Nigeria?
Yaw: I pray for a corrupt free nation, where we would obey God for once and let there be light.