Why I stay away from political campaigns – – Koffi

I was christened Koffi Emmanuel Ayinde. I am from a family of four and I schooled in both Lagos and Ijebu-Igbo. I’m actually the first-born, to a Togolese mum and a Nigerian father from Ibeju Lekki, in Lagos. So I am more or less a ‘Nigerian-lese’. My name, Koffi, is not a gimmick. Comedians are […]

I was christened Koffi Emmanuel Ayinde. I am from a family of four and I schooled in both Lagos and Ijebu-Igbo. I’m actually the first-born, to a Togolese mum and a Nigerian father from Ibeju Lekki, in Lagos. So I am more or less a ‘Nigerian-lese’. My name, Koffi, is not a gimmick.

Comedians are going into music and film full-time. Are we expecting that from you too?

I have been into music since 2003 and I have four albums. I will soon be releasing a trio of albums, including a gospel album entitled Gospel Truth. At the moment, I have written, produced and directed two movies: Two Blackbirds (2007) and Mumu the Movie (2010). So I shall not be veering off from these endeavours because it’s what I have been doing whilst others might just be getting kicks from it.

With the surge of successful comedians today, how do you intend to sustain a monthly show, so it doesn’t fade away?

Comedy Nite Live is set to run for a year so already we have a timeline and target and so already know not to over-flog it. Recordings from the series shall also be transmitted later.

Artistes were a major part of the recent political campaign process, from which you were absent. Why was that?

It’s better for me. My values and integrity remain intact, even though I actually was at President Goodluck’s declaration.

Does that mean you’re not interested in the funds recently earmarked for the entertainment industry by the Presidency?

I’m sort of on the fence on this one because most times anything that has to do with the government usually has a lot of processes and processing involved.

It’s been reported that you started something called the Workerman Movement. What’s that about?

Workerman Movement is my music family, which includes Yeankeyz, Outshine, Affroholik and Boomerang. Its sole aim is to do groovy yet responsible music so people to know that it is quite possible to do danceable and cultured music in present-day Nigeria, without dirty lyrics.

Do you think the Nigerian industry is ripe enough to take on the quality and production challenge of shooting videos?

We have excellent places to shoot great videos here in Nigeria. That is why we shot all our videos here. This pushes some directors so far they look for alternative ways of making the video unique hence the need to travel out.

What made you decide to go into comedy?

I started out as a stage actor at the University of Lagos and then my comical side gradually took over the serious part. I metamorphosed into who I am today, a comic character. I used to be a very naughty boy when I was young, so I guess that made it natural for me.