His brand of comedy is infectious, a reason he has gradually become a force to reckon with in the Nigerian comedy industry. In this riveting encounter with DAILY POST, Akpororo, whose real name is Bowoto Jephta shared the story of his rise to fame in the highly competitive industry, including his plan to quit bachelorhood in few months from now.
Briefly tell us about yourself
My real name is Bowoto Jephta, popularly known as Akpororo. I came into limelight in 2008, shortly after I emerged winner of the keenly contested AY Open Mic comedy competition. Before then, I really never knew I would be a comedian. Prior to emerging winner of the competition, I was more into music. I also played football. I can equally swim as well. But in all, it’s comedy that has brought me where I am today. I think without comedy, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Comedy has given me name and prominence.
Have you gotten to where you want to be in the comedy industry?
I won’t say I’m at the top right now because I still have a lot to offer but I thank God for everything. Things have really changed compared to when I started. I still have lots of unrealized dreams. I still have a target I want to attain in years to come. On the other hand, it’s only by God’s Grace that I am where I am; it’s still by His grace that I will get to where I want to be. God gave me the gift of life; the gift to sing, dance and make people laugh.
What is the greatest thing you’ve achieved so far through comedy?
Comedy has opened a lot of doors for me. At the moment, I get access easily into areas I couldn’t before now and easy access to top and influential personalities too.
What are your winning principles?
It’s been the grace of God. When I started comedy, I just prayed to God to give me the anointing most of these men of God have. I know some men of God that do preach during the weekly services and Sundays as well and you enjoy their messages in all. So I told God I want to be like these anointed people and he just said I should keep praising Him and I kept praising him and he did it for me. As a young comedian, one of the things I’m looking forward to is to win souls and also to see myself on top. Anytime they call my name anywhere around the world, people should easily recognize who I am.
What inspires your jokes?
I have always told people that I am a church boy. So the word of God inspires my jokes. I’m in the choir and I have a mass choir like 80-90 people in Okokomaiko. I don’t joke with the word of God which explains why most of my jokes are about men of God and the church.
Tell us how comedy started for you
I started music before I ventured into comedy. My greatest challenge then was how I would get the platform to showcase my talent. It got to a point where I said I needed to go for comedy competitions which I don’t really like in the first place. So I went into the National Comedy Challenge by Opa Williams and I won the Calabar zone. We came to Lagos for the final but I wasn’t picked as the overall winner. Later, I heard about the AY Open Mic, I went there the first time and I came second. I tried my luck the second time and I won. I was also at Basket Mouth’s Laff and Jam in Ikoyi. Since then, it’s been a story of grass to grace.
What informs your ‘swagalicious looks?
I’m called the comedian with too much swagger and too much anointing. One of the things I want to bring out is that you can still serve God and have swag at the same time. I always wanted to do something new and different and that’s why I do dress like an artiste. I tell the musicians too that anything they wear, I will wear. If that’s what is bringing them money, then I will follow suit (laughs).
How would you define a real comedian?
You define real comedians by their personalities; what they have to offer and the contents of their jokes. In the industry, what they look out for is your second line of jokes. If you come out with five new jokes and people like it, they will wait for your second line which is the next five jokes. That’s when they will know your quality. Same thing happens with some musicians too. They will drop singles and then drop an album but after that, you might not hear from them again. So, a real comedian is known by what you have to offer, the contents of your jokes, how you create and deliver them.
We would like to know how the stage name, Akpororo came about?
There was a day I was abusing a guy in the church and I said ‘you wey your head look like Akpororo’. My Bishop just looked at me and said why don’t you change your name from Holy Son to Akpororo? I didn’t argue and since then it has been Akpororo.
The last time you cried, what was the cause?
I hardly cry. God doesn’t allow things that will make me cry to happen. Even when my heart was broken by my ex-girlfriend, I didn’t cry. When I lost my grandfather I didn’t cry; so what else will make me cry? The time I cried was when they paid me money that changed my life. Right there, I shed tears because I was overwhelmed. It was tears of joy.
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