I couldn’t believe my own eyes when I saw Senator Dino Melaye casually strolling into the “Lighthouse Arena” yesterday, proudly escorted by Yetunde “Bustline” Oduwole. In fact, I had to do a double take just to be sure it wasn’t just someone who looked like him!!

But alas, it was the BAD BOY OF NIGERIA’S SENATE HOUSE HIMSELF😮😮😮

However, seeing Bobo Dino – of course after being the butt of evert kind of joke by each “Crazy guy” who came on stage (including our own Akpos Ogagbe who carried out an unbelievable shake-down on the unsuspecting lawmaker) mixing & mingling with everyone and taking pictures with anyone who wanted to after the show yesterday, tells me he is actually some kind of cool, ok, alright guy who obviously has his teeming fans (or hypocritical sycophants).

So why does he have to be so obnoxious and crude? Posing endlessly with his vast collection of very expensive cars in a country where more than half of the entire population including his own constituents who are living below poverty level; and then mocking those who as much as criticise him.

And that, is all I personally have against the guy.

I know politicians – like movie and music stars are terribly inwardly insecure, and live off the attention and adoration of supporters and fans.

But methinks Melaye should stay being the cool, ok, alright, trendy, “young” (ish) guy he is when out on town. He obviously has the pulling power and star quality.

But as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he must stay professional, respectable and businesslike – and keep out the pranks, buffoonery and obnoxiousness.
He very clearly does not need it and he perhaps will be taken a lot more seriously by his colleagues.

Seeing EFCC legalman Festus Keyamo was also kind of surprising as the guy has never hit me as a fun lover. Still, his presence with Dino’s was one the comedians just could not ignore and they made the very best of taking the meanest mickey out of them!

It was also good to see the godfather of Naija comedy Julius Agwu well and back on his feet.
Also great as it usually is was seeing my old friend, Ayo Shonaiya who cast me as Jide Kosoko’s “wife” in the UK’s first ever Nollywood movie More Blessings (1996) and of course veteran actress Victoria Injama who is thankfully back in the movies.

As to the band of what I call “mad, crazy men” from Nigeria BasketMouth, Acapella, Senator Comedian, Kenny Blaq, the funniest Whi-gerian KelvinJ and our Nai-Jamaican comedian MrCee, our own Don Nice & Akpos UK, and of course the host, Okey Bakassi – I say “thank you for the laughs, the craziness and the still aching jaws”. It was a great evening indeed nicely topped by the sugary icing of Harrysong’s music.

However, two things I would like to point out to organisers of comedy shows from Naija. First, it wouldn’t kill to offer at least a 17p bottle of water to the guests who had to endure the sweltering heat in the air condition-less Lighthouse arena – or indeed any other venue. The least they can expect after paying the £25 – £35 gate fee.

Secondly, we in the UK also have out own VIPs, celebrities and top government officials and politicians. It was a huge oversight to fail to acknowledge the presence of Chief Bimbo Roberts Folayan, Dr Dayo Olomu, Bayo Oyekan, Tola Onigbanjo, Ayo Akinfe, Ayan De First, Dr Abbey Akinoshun, Ayo Shonoiki etc at the event. Kindly bear that in mind for future reference. I am however sure that our own Akpos will make up for that at his own hugely anticipated show #ComeJokeWithme on the 23rd of September at the Open Doors, Crystal Palace

Otherwise, it was quite alright on the night.

 

BJ

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