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Comedian SACO Set To Stage ‘Spirit of SACO’ October 4

By Daniel Anazia
25 September 2015   |   10:40 pm
AS part of activities for the celebration of his 10 years on stage as a stand-up comedian, popular MC and event compere, Sunday Ayodele Chukwukamadu Okundalaiye, well known by his stage name, SACO, will host associates, friends and well-wishers to a night of comedy, music and dance

SACOAS part of activities for the celebration of his 10 years on stage as a stand-up comedian, popular MC and event compere, Sunday Ayodele Chukwukamadu Okundalaiye, well known by his stage name, SACO, will host associates, friends and well-wishers to a night of comedy, music and dance.

Tagged, Spirit of Saco, the event will hold on Sunday, October 4, 2015 at the Sheba Centre, Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos and would feature unadulterated rib cracking moment and best of comedy from Nigeria’s talented comedians amidst cool music from known Nigerian stars.

Speaking about his sojourn into comedy, the Ondo native and University of Ilorin Accounting and Data Processing graduate said, it started in 1999 when he was in senior secondary school in Ikosi High School Ketu, Lagos where he was a member of health and life planning club.
“I started cracking jokes for my classmates during break time and they would all gather to listen. Some of them would give me five naira to eat, and sincerely that money helped me then. I was also a member of the choir then in a Redeemed church and that platform also helped me express myself well, because I would have to introduce the song and stylishly do a 30 seconds joke before the songs.”

On his first pay cheque, SACO says it was five thousand naira after a show at the Ariya Gardens, Kwara Hotels on the October 1, 2005, while he was studying at the University of Ilorin.
Would you say you are successful as a comedian?
“Yes I am very successful because I have great comedians as protégés and a very successful mentor in the person of Holy Mallam. It is so fulfilling when you get good feedbacks from clients and your audience, and when people tell you they are privileged to learn from you.”

On ‘Spirit of SACO’ the comedian said, “it is an event designed to celebrate my 10 years on stage. The event will be spiced with acts from Comedy to Music and Dance scenes as well as the dedication of my School of Comedy (an institute set to will train prospective ethical comperes and comedians). On stage on the day are notable comedians and artistes including the lady gospel artiste, Tope Alabi; my mentor, Holy Mallam, Laffup, Damola, Mc Shem, and Mc Abbey among others,” he stated.

As a comedian, are there shows you would not want be part of due to your faith?
“Not exactly, it is more of my values than my faith; although, they are intertwined. In life you just have to know what you stand for, and you need to carve a niche for yourself holding unto your values no matter what. You will never see me at a club because I see myself more as a preacher, and being a Christian, one have to be Christ like.”

Asked what inspires him, the father one says, “God inspires me, then what I listen to. I listen to Rev Sam Adeyemi, being my best mentor, Holy Mallam, and Alibaba. Like I often say, you have to inspire yourself first.
“When I started comedy, I was privileged to meet a former coach who told us that when he started football, he comes out to the balcony and start talking to imaginary footballers. He imagined himself being a successful coach and it came to pass.”

Speaking about his most embarrassing moment, SACO said, “I went for job in Abuja, Holy Mallam was meant to go but he couldn’t, so I did. I took a flight, slept in a wonderful hotel which were part of the luxury that came with the job, when I got to the venue I realised I was not the MC, I was just meant to crack jokes. I cracked jokes for like 10 minutes and nobody laughed, it was like a dream; no one collected my card, and I had packed so many.
“I was scared because where I was coming from, they pay a quarter of what was paid for me to anchor and crack jokes. Someone came to meet after the event and said my jokes were nice, but I was rushing. But thank God for Holy Mallam, he gave me more opportunities; I am appreciating him for believing in me. Right now, I use my embarrassing moments as jokes.”

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