Growing up, I was told I won’t amount to anything in life —Comedienne Helen Paul

Helen Paul, is one comedienne in Nigeria whose display of tact and versatility has enriched the comedy industry. Also a singer, actress, social media influencer and scholar, she’s different things to many. She is Tatafo for children and lovers of children comedy. She is Chief Koleniyan for lovers of politics and Chukwuka, the General Merchandise, for lovers of business and the Igbo accent. She holds three Master’s degrees and recently completed a Doctor of Philosophy degree programme in Theatre Arts at the University of Lagos. In this interview by Newton-Ray Ukwuoma, she speaks about her journey into the comedy industry, the challenges of advanced studies and her career among other things. Excerpts:

Among other female comediennes, you have remained relevant over the years. To what do you attribute it?

It is the grace of God. I am not doing anything special. What I am doing is what everyone else is doing.

On social media, you tap into different persona. For instance, how did you create the Chukwuka, the General Merchandise, character in your skits?

It’s simply the power of observation and association. I have a shop in Yaba market surrounded by the Igbos. I also have another shop in Main Tejuosho market. I am always associating with guys that sell curtains and materials. And some of them talk like that and I enjoy it.

Do you personally manage your businesses?

Why wouldn’t I personally manage my business? I didn’t open it for people to become rich. When I go there I laugh with them, they tell me things. They are the ones with the clout and ideas.

What do you deal in?

I am generally into fashion: shoes, gowns, wedding rings, wedding gowns, accessories, perfumes, lingerie in both shops.

Another persona whose character you popularised, especially during the election season was Chief Koleniyan. How did you create him?

Chief Koleniyan came out as a result of seeing someone who is trying to play a particularly high level politics, but eventually realising that he has no one to help him. It is a way of reminding people that you only have yourself and God. People will promise to vote for you, they will nudge you on and in minutes they abandon you. In the end you will realise that you don’t have anyone, but God.

Your ability to speak like a child gave you the initial attention in the comedy industry. How did you discover Tatafo?

I think naturally I love to imitate people. It all started in EkoFm studio, where you have LTV station. I found that I liked imitating children. My boss, Ayo Adeife and Matthew encouraged me to use the skill for voiceover. That was how I started talking like a child: from voiceover, I started doing comedy in a child’s voice and now I lecture on children theatre.

How has the journey been since then?

I don’t think I have gone far. The journey is still very long because my account is still looking at me. We are still normal. I have not bought a Benz car.

Having been relevant over the years many people would assume that you are living the life?

I live my dream and I enjoy myself, but when it comes to money, I’m not there yet. I want to buy Benz. I believe God for the best. You see that I have shops and all. I am just trying my best to stay afloat, but everybody thinks I am up there already. I remember when I went somewhere and someone was making jest of my car. She was like, “Is this the car a celebrity like you should be using?” I have never had the luck of getting a car gift or any major gift for that matter. Everybody keeps shouting, “You are talented”. Common to dash me car, I no see.

Do you mean you have not received a noteworthy gift since your career?

The only time I got huge gift that I was surprised about was when Sammie Okposo, the singer, took me to Governor Uduaghan, the former governor of Delta State. I just started my Ph.D at the time. Sammie called me and said the governor would like to see me as he likes people who are advancing their education. I reluctantly followed him to Delta State. He introduced me to the governor, telling him that I was doing my PhD. I was shocked that just realising that I was doing a PhD, Uduaghan told them to give me money to support my PhD.

That was huge. Yes. I also thank God for the likes of AY that constantly put me on his shows. But we have some people that feel you will take over their show if you are there. Sometimes I have to be the one to call them. And I will get responses like, “Mama, you too big nah.” And some people would call you for their show; you will do it for free, the first year and the second year or the third year if you ask them to pay you they will get angry. If I keep doing free shows at this stage of my career, how do I want to buy the car? The fact that I am on television does not mean I am living the life.

You are also a brand ambassador to at least two companies.  

I am the brand ambassador to Harpic, Ajinomoto. I work for DSTV and Pepsodent.

Do you think male comedians get more gigs than female comedians?

It is not the point. I get shows. But the shows don’t get enough sponsorship as they should. Most of the money for these comedy events go into logistics. Organisers eventually do not have enough to pay comedians. Many people come to comedy shows without paying, expecting free tickets.  So, we go to shows, but have nothing to show for it.

Do you also agree it is time the comedy industry had a better structure?

When I am done with my research I should be able to come out with something more concrete.

Talking about research, having a PhD is a big deal. What informed your decision to have a PhD in Theatre Arts?

Growing up, I was told that I will not go far, that I will not amount to something. But I told myself I will go far, that I will read to the highest. From primary school, I will ask, after primary school what is next? They told me secondary school and after that I will ask after secondary school what is next, they will tell me University and after university, masters and PhD. So, I made up my mind that I will get to the last stage. I discovered that I love learning. I like knowing things. And luckily for me I got mentors that are academic. They did not let me rest. Perhaps my decision to study kind of brought these people my way, people like Professor Osita Nwanebe, Prof. Duro Oni, Dr Felix Omoruwa, Dr. Otun Rasheed. These four people were really interested in me right from year one. They made sure I came back for Masters to the point that one of them bought the form and asked me to come and pick it up. Each time I am discouraged, they would always rally around me with words of encouragement. So, aside the dream, having great people around you will really help. If you have someone like Dangote as friend, before you know it your mind will become rich. My friends are first class people. My husband is like that too. He has four Master’s degrees, I have three.

Three Master’s degrees in what fields?

I have Masters in Theatre Arts, in Business Administration and Public Administration.

What did you research on during you PhD?

At the initial stage I was very happy that I have capital with Governor Uduaghan’s money. With that I was able to travel. I went to America to do some research. I visited some universities. I also visited some of their theatres to see how stand-up comedy grew as an alternative form of theatre. I spoke to professors. When I got back, I realised that the money has finished.

I had my godfather to call, Chief Ikuku. I want to say a big thank you to I Go Dye. He helped me tremendously. But I got a lot of discouragements from people asking why I needed a PhD. Sometimes after conducting your research, after spending money on research, your supervisor will throw it out for not being original. Then you have to go back again to write. It wasn’t easy. The financial implications were there. A lot of discouragements! Having to combine family with PhD, then to making money!

At another instance, you want to start writing and someone just calls you that there is a show; you have to leave the book and go and make money. It wasn’t easy. Like I said, thank God for the right people that will always encourage and push you.

I have cried many times to my mentors, Prof. Osita and Prof. Duro Oni. And I want to thank Ayo Makun. He really helped me with materials. I used Aylive for the most of my work. Koffi was also very resourceful. He sat down and taught me the history of Nigerian standup comedy. He taught me the difference between Stand-up comedy and the One-Man play. He was very helpful. I am humbled by my PhD title because I know there are so many of my colleagues who know more about the field than I do.

You are presently an authority in Stand-Up Comedy in Nigeria. After your PhD what is next for you?

Life is next for me. It’s time to enjoy myself. I will keep doing what I am doing.

What was the role of your husband in all of this? How did he help?

I said earlier that we are doing it together. He is still running his PhD. He is the one that encourages me. He was the one that asked me to move to the hostel, when it was getting difficult. He is always pushing to reach out for more.

How many years did it take you to round off your PhD programme?

It took me four years.

How was it on the graduation day?

I was really humbled by the turnout of people. The name Dr Helen Paul is sounding like music to me. I still want to do more photoshoot because the thing is still doing me somehow.

Now that you have a Dr attached to your name, how are brands and organisers reacting to it?

People are asking me that now that I am Dr would they still be able to afford me? You can afford me. And if that Dr is affecting you in terms of price, remove the name. Call me Helen. If possible don’t call the Paul.

How was the effect on your colleagues and fans on social media?

I noticed that my name changed from Chief Koleniyan to Dr Oleniyan. People congratulated me, but I didn’t get money. My colleagues were there to support. Julius Agwu was around. Lepacious Bose came, Femi Fadeyi came. Members of Ajinomoto, Harpic, Pepsodent all came and they gave people products.

How would your new position shape Stand-up comedy?

By going to conferences, talking about the importance and place Stand-Up is taking in Nigeria, by educating people, speaking at events, at seminars, making my jokes around the effects of the stand-up comedy.

A lot of people were surprised when you gave the condition of your birth on the day of your convocation.

It’s my mum’s story. We are writing a book on her. And I just released that one needs to thank God. This is a child that most people did not believe will do well. It was just to encourage people that the condition of your birth does not matter. I am a product of rape, but here am I today.

At what point in your growing up were you told this story?

I have always been aware.

The post Growing up, I was told I won’t amount to anything in life —Comedienne Helen Paul appeared first on Tribune Online.