Nigerian comedians’ unity slowly disintegrating?

Baba

If there’s one thing that has made the Nigerian comedy sector to stand out in the entertainment industry, it’s the fact that comedians are believed to be united and help themselves to grow.

That unity now seems to be a thing of the past with different reports and statements flying around.

The King of Comedy, Ali Baba, contributed greatly to uniting comedians. As their undisputed leader, he supported those beneath him, gave them breaks and preached unity.

Mouth

Maybe because the sector was just growing then, they listened to him and they were all the better for it. But now comedy is accepted in the country, it seems the comedians don’t want to follow the master’s advice anymore.

During a recent interview by Hip TV, Funky Mallam alleged that his fellow comedians whom he supported to grow betrayed him when it was their turn to offer him support. He was so bitter that he even mentioned their names.

And during an interview also by Hip TV, Basket Mouth, when asked as to beef between him and AY, said he has heard that AY is beefing him but that he’s above such as he has better things to worry about, then added that he’s very happy about the best Pan-African comedian award he won not long ago because some people are envious of him as the recipient, and the way he said it, it seems one of the jealous ones he referred to or that the person he was referring to must be AY.

AY

Still on same Hip TV, Ushbebe enjoined his colleagues to imbibe unity as success is turn by turn, that if one is shining today, the one who isn’t shining presently should be happy for him as he too can shine tomorrow. His statements left no doubt that he’s unhappy that comedians are exhibiting envy towards themselves.

Another example of the growing disunity in the sector is Boma’s disclosure that many comedians are always surprised that he’s achieved so much even though he’s not yet that popular a comedian.

Ali Baba made the comedy sector successful through unity. Now, that success is bringing about disunity, and unsurprisingly, as success always breeds envy.

So the question now is, will the sector which thrived on unity be able to withstand the after and bitter effects of disunity?

That’s the big question.