My teachers preferred to pull my ears instead of flogging me –Baba De Baba

Chidi Uzoma, popularly known as Baba De Baba (comedian with the biggest ears), is from Ahiazu council in Mbaise, Imo State. In this chat with www.angeladaviesblog.blogspot.com , he reveals how he got into comedy and why he calls himself comedian with the biggest ears.

Why do you call yourself comedian with the biggest ear?

The truth is that my ears were bigger than this when I was much younger. This made people call me all sorts of names when I was in school. Even my teachers do not flog me on my buttocks when I do wrong; they preferred to draw my ears instead of flogging me.

Also, before I became a comedian, I was working in a beer parlour and ev-eryone that came around made jest of me. So when I got into the industry, I had to look for a name that would suit me because you don’t just come into the industry and make a name just like that, you need a name to stand out.

The first time I performed on stage, people did not want to listen to me because they wanted to see a star. So the next show where I performed, immediately I climbed the stage, I said my name is Baba De Baba, co-median with the biggest ears, this got every one’s attention and they listened to my jokes with rapped attention. Before I knew it, my name was everywhere.

That was how I started calling myself comedian with the biggest ears

How long have you been in comedy?

I have been in the industry since 2004 but professionally, I started comedy in 2007 in Lagos.

What is the motivation behind this?

I always wanted to do something funny. Initially I thought I was going to be an actor because I acted comedy drama in church and everybody thought I was going to be an actor. When I completed my secondary education, I tried going into acting. I went for different auditions but I was always duped. I would be auditioned and told I passed the audition. How-ever, I w0uld never be called to take up the role. This went on for two or three years so I decided if I cannot act, I will try stand-up comedy since I could crack jokes and make people laugh.

That was how I got into stand-up comedy because the whole idea was to make people laugh whether through acting or stand-up comedy.

You said you got into comedy professionally in 2007. Through what platform was this?

In 2004 when I started comedy, I was working with a comedian, Alarm Blow. When I was looking for a comedian to work with, I saw him on tele-vision and told myself I would like to work with this man. The first time I saw Alarm Blow, he did not listen to me. He said I looked too gentle. According to him, if you are gentle, you cannot be a comedian. The second meeting, he drove me away.

Because I was persistent, on the third day he decided to listen to me. I cracked three of my original jokes that day and he was amazed. That was how he fell in love with me and that was how I started working with him on Galaxy Television.

The major show that announced me in 2007 was Stand Up Nigeria. I also performed in shows like Laff Café. Then I did a show with Gbenga Adeyinka (The first Comedy Club) and as time went on, I started doing other shows.

Comedians recycle jokes. How do you get your jokes?The truth is that things happen every day. When I see a funny situation, I focus on it and try to make a joke out of it. But really, God inspires me and I also get my jokes from what I see every day.

Who is your role model in Nigerian comedy?

I don’t really have a role model. All I have are comedians I respect such as Ali Baba, Gbenga Adeyinka, Alarm Blow and others.

How can you rate the comedy industry in Nigeria?

The comedy industry is growing. Years ago, nobody will want to listen to you if you say you are a comedian. People don’t want to respect you but now girls want to love you and parents want their children to get married to comedians. Comedy is growing fast in Nigeria (he said, a glint in his face).

Are you indirectly saying there is a lady somewhere?

Some ladies’ parents are booking me down already.

Do you intend to start your own comedy club or show?

I am working towards having a comedy show. However, I have organized shows that are not mine.

What do you want to tell your fans?

My video CD, ‘Baba De Baba in Stand up Nigeria’ is coming out soon. Then ‘comedy quake’ with Baba De Baba which is an audio CD is already in the market and the part two will be coming out very soon. The jokes are ready; it is just getting into the studio and doing the recording that is remaining.