Award-winning comedian, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu, otherwise known as Sabinus or Mr Funny, speaks with SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN about his journey into skit-making and the challenges of the profession. Excerpts:
How and when did you venture into skit making?
I ventured into skit making in 2015. The journey has been a wonderful one. It has not been rosy, but I thank God for where I am now.
How do you develop concepts for your skits?
Developing concepts for my skits is not something too hard for me. Getting those concepts is something that comes naturally to me. Let me just say that it is inborn. When I started, it wasn’t that easy. But with time, I got used to it and I wasn’t struggling to get my concepts. I try to observe people anywhere I find myself. I may not engage in any conversation with them. I will just observe to see how I can use whatever it is that they are doing or discussing as part of the concept for my skits.
What are some of the interesting things about skit making?
There are many interesting things about skit making. It connects you to a lot of people and enables you to see others through the lens of your work. Like I told you earlier, I observe people a lot and I make use of what I observe in my skits. I have met a lot of people that I didn’t expect to meet in the course of my career. It was skit making that made our paths to cross. Another interesting thing is that when people meet you they want to take pictures with you. Adults who are my father’s age would like to take pictures with me just because they identify with my skits. I feel grateful that I can make this calibre of people laugh and enjoy comedy. Such a feeling is not just interesting but fulfilling for me.
How easy or difficult is skit making for you?
It is quite difficult. The time and stress involved in it and some hurdles you have to cross while making the skits makes it difficult. You need to keep up, back to back. For instance, you have to look for a good location to shoot your skits. Even at that, you must get the permission of some people before you can use certain locations. Then I get harassed by area boys who are always ready to extort me or make away with some valuables if one is not very careful. When you consider the process at times, if you are not too careful, you will be discouraged.
How expensive is skit making for you?
It can also be expensive, but not all the time. The expenses come when you have a lot of people you want to feature or when you have to get more costumes. Then you have to settle those area boys so you can enjoy what you want to do on set. Basically the things you spend money on are the ones highlighted. If you are lucky not to encounter area boys and you can reduce your cast, then the expenses will be less.
What are the challenges you have had as a skit maker?
It can be very challenging to think about the things you want to work on. Aside from the fact that I get my concepts from people, you also want to introduce more modern concepts and make it unique and acceptable to people. Every other person out there is also thinking of how to make their skits unique, so you have to constantly be on your toes. You have to think outside the box and come up with something new and different at every point in time. I must say that it can be very challenging really.
What is your comedy show, Oh My Ribs all about and what are some of the achievements so far?
Oh My Ribs was staged a few years ago. There is another comedy show that I am also passionate about now. It is called Sabinus Live. I have staged it two times. The first edition was held in Nigeria and the second in Ghana. They were both successful. I thank God for that. It is a comedy show where people come and laugh, catch fun for the evening and enjoy good music. Like I said, the past two editions have been very wonderful. It is good to enjoy immense love and support even outside your country. It shows that you are doing something that international communities enjoy as well.
Lagos is the hub of entertainment, but you are also doing well in Port Harcourt. Do you often think you are missing out in the unique Lagos experience?
Lagos is the hub of entertainment, no doubt. Port-Harcourt is also a great place to stay. Anyway, I have relocated from Port Harcourt to Lagos now. I am also at the hub now. So we can all enjoy the entertainment industry in Lagos State together. I must say that Port Harcourt is also another wonderful place. I enjoyed my stay over there and I believe I will have a better experience in Lagos.
A lot of skit makers go into mainstream acting, are you looking in that direction too?
Yes, that is true. A lot of my colleagues have already ventured into it. I have also acted in some movies, such as Billionaire’s Bride and Man of War. I have featured in some movies that are yet to been released, too. And I must say that I am looking forward to featuring in more movies. I enjoy the movie aspect of entertainment just the way I enjoy comedy and skit making too.
If not skit making, what else would you have ventured into?
If not skit making, I would have been doing my stand-up comedy. I am in love with anything entertainment.
Beyond skit making, what is your long term plan?
I am involved in real estate business as an investor. I love investing in properties. It is exciting.
Who are the people you love to work with in the industry?
I have some people that I admire in the entertainment industry. I have some international stars that I would like to work with as well. The likes of Kevin Hart and Mr Bean are international acts I would like to work with. In the Nigerian comedy scene, I would like to work with Mr Ibu. But I must say that I love and admire all skit makers. It is not easy to put out contents out there. It takes a lot of creativity, effort and hard work.
How did you come about your stage name, Sabinus?
My initial stage name was Mr Funny. Some people still call me by that name till now. I was shooting a skit and I thought of the right name to give them and Sabinus came to mind and it stuck. That was in 2000. It is even bigger than Mr Funny. the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award
What is it about you that your fans do not know?
I love football. I enjoy staying alone at home a lot. I am not a very social person. I prefer to be indoors than attending parties and I don’t drink alcoholic beverages.
How does it feel to be the first ever winner of the 2022 edition of Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award in the Best Online Social Content Creators’ category?
First of all, I give God the glory. If not for God, I don’t know if I would have won the award. Everything I do today is by the strength of the lord. I appreciate my fans for the support they made me, no other person. There were other people in the nominee lists that are better than me, but my fans choose to support me. I am saying a very big thank you to them for the support.
A lot of people were of the opinion that there were other better nominees in that category who could have won. How did you feel when you were criticised for winning?
It is a normal thing. Criticism will always come in things like that. It is not my power. That is the way I understand it. Anybody might have won the award, there will always be nominees and there will always be one winner. I feel opportune and I want to thank God almighty for it.
You recently instituted a lawsuit against Friesland Food Wamco Nigeria Limited, makers of Peak Milk and UCA Foods, makers of Gala for using your intellectual property. Can you talk about it?
The truth be told, I dont wat to say much about it. I have a management in charge of my trade mark so I can’t say anything about it. I am just busy going about my comedy business. Ask me anything about my comedy, I will be able to answer you.
