I once celebrated a goal that earned me a very hot slap! - AY Comedian

AY Comedian in his element

Ayo Richard Makun, popularly known as AY Comedian, is a multi-talented, multiple award-winning stand-up comedian and one of the most-successful comic acts Nigeria has ever produced. The enigmatic comedian and actor who recently released a box office classic, ‘30 Days in Atlanta’, (a romantic comedy film produced by AY) reserves unbelievable bias for football. 

In this exclusive interview with Sundown Sports, AY talks about his playing days, his passion for the football club he supports, his love life among other very interesting topics. Have fun!

Could you let us into what has made you a successful comedian?

I would say it is because I bring in God first. If it’s a question of talent, I can’t hold claim to the fact that I’m the most talented in the comedy industry; but I can associate my brand with the fact that I enjoy God’s divine favour and with His special grace, things have been going on steady with the AY brand and I equally would give it to hardwork, dedication and the expression of passion towards what I love to do.

The last AY Show you held was sold-out; did you ever imagine the show would be as big as it is now?

Everybody who has the capacity to dream would want to associate with a dream of his brand going far. I can’t say it’s something I had pictured but when you start a business, you would always want it to move to the next level. So year-in, year-out, I have witnessed the AY Show gravitating from one level to another. Thus, the best I can say is that one would be happy for it when one meets the entertainment yearnings of the people, because positive result is tied to it as well.

Are you a comedian or a businessman?

Well, it’s up to you. But I may choose to call myself AY Comedian and I might choose to call myself an all encompassing showbiz personality or a businessman because in everything that I do, the business side must reflect. I guess that’s why they call it show-business. That is, when you have something to show, then the business will come out.

Tell us about your humble background?

I’m a full blooded Yoruba man from Ifon in Ose local government area of Ondo State. But the good thing is that I’m a Wafarian by birth in the sense that I was born, bred and buttered in Warri, Delta State. Everything about me is Warri. Apart from the fact that I was born in Warri, my Primary education, Secondary education and even University education was just thirty minutes away from Warri. I speak the languages there and was accepted by the people and I’m still being accepted by the people. I was paid bursary as a Deltan and I speak two to three languages in Delta more than I can even speak Yoruba. I’m just like the Obama of America because I can go to Delta State and contest an election and expect to win.

You graduated with a degree in Theatre Arts, so why didn’t you walk straight into Nollywood?

As a Theatre Artist, what I’m currently doing is not out of line. I’m in the show business and it’s practically what I studied in the University. I major in directing and good enough, the other part of me is beginning to reflect as you could see in ‘30 Days in Atlanta’. Ay could feature as an actor, script writer, director and an executive producer. Comedy has given me the needed platform and all I’m doing is to use the same platform to showcase other parts of me which the world is beginning to see.

Don’t you think you’ve been missing out as far as Nollywood is concerned?

I probably would have started out with Nollywood; I mean as a professional actor but like I said, we all have a way of coming into the industry and for me, comedy was it for me. If I’m introduced into Nollywood full blast, definitely I’ll do it. I’ve done a couple of Nollywood movies as well. I did one in 1999 and they’re still showing it on DSTV and people do buzz me that they just saw me in a movie and never thought my neck was that long. I’ve done a movie with Jim Iyke and a couple of Nollywood acts. But then, if there’s need for me to go into Nollywood fully; I’ll be doing my own movies.

Earlier in life, what was your major dream?

I’ve always wanted to become Richard Mofe Damijo because when you’re inspired by a particular person, you’ll always want to aspire to be like that same person or probably do what that same person is doing. RMD was it for me. I would go out of my way to pick up his movies. I loved his style, panache and he’s so full of life and vigour. I just wanted to be like Richard and that prompted me into becoming a theatre artist until we finally met and we became like father and son. Today, he’s like my big brother and good enough, he noticed a lot in me as well; coupled with the fact that I met Ali Baba, they both nurtured me towards achieving my dreams and right now he’s someone who picks up the phone and call me to know exactly how I’m doing and what projects I’m embarking on. He’s always been supportive. It’s good to dream and my of being like Richard Mofe Damijo gave birth to meeting RMD and equally gave birth to living my dreams.

AY, getting his groove on

I understand you’re a good Christian; but you mimic your pastor and use words in the scripture to crack jokes?

Let me re-phrase the question to be: ‘what is my relationship with my pastor?’ The relationship with my pastor is very cordial. Cordial in the sense that if what I’m doing would be perceived as being negative by him, I don’t think we would be friends and be close to the point where we can relate as not just pastor to church member.

Why is it that a good number of celebrities are always fond of having broken homes?

I would say the problem is that things are usually blown out of proportion and when this happens, it affects marriages in the entertainment industry and that is where I blame the press. The press hasn’t helped entertainers and their affairs. When the press blows out relationship issues out of proportion, the man and the woman take it to the extreme until it reaches the negative end. The press would tell you that they need to break even and report a situation to the public. Quarrels in marriage are bound to arise.

 A pastor in church may have a situation in his house; so also is the doctor. So, we entertainers too are not exempted from having situations at home but it’s a different situation when it comes to entertainers. Once the press gets to know that Kefee and Alec are having issues at home, they blow it out of proportion until the two of them would make a decision that this disgrace is everywhere; let’s call it quits. The press would be at home smiling believing they are the first to break that news. You see in the paper how AY was found with one damsel at Auto Lounge; not knowing the person the reporter was referring to is AY’s wife. Now, let’s assume AY was actually out there and the woman comes in to see the story, not knowing that it was the same day we went out together and she tries to make a case out of it.  Imagine if I got upset with her for not believing me and everything turns upside down at home; the press would go home smiling without being fully aware that they’ve just broken another marriage. 

So, the press breaks up marriages for entertainers. I understand you guys cannot sell if for instance your cover reads: ‘Truck pusher caught at Eko Hotels’. But if you put Dbanj, Genievive, Ini Edo or any other top celebrity there, it is what people want to see and read. Thus, the press and people who subscribe to wanting to know the negative aspect of what is going on in the relationship of entertainers are the ones breaking marriages.

What keeps you fit?

What keeps me fit is the fact that I play football every Tuesdays and Thursdays. I enjoy playing football and it’s something you can’t take away from me. I love football with passion. If I don’t play it for a month, I could go sick.

That's how to confirm status when a goal is celebrated

A career in football is now very lucrative; would you have chosen football over comedy if you had known?

If my dad wasn’t that strict and thorough in terms of making sure what was necessary for me at that point in time was to go to school, I probably would have been a footballer because before now I played club-side football alongside the likes of Wilson Oruma back in the days. While he was playing for Invincible Leopards, I was playing for Sharp Shooters in Warri.

From there, we both played for the DSC football club which is popularly known. Also, we both represented Bendel State then in our own capacity to play for the national under-14 side. So, I’ve always been involved in football and that was why I said if for nothing else, I probably would have been a footballer. You know what it means to represent Bendel State? That’s the combination of Edo and the now Delta State; it means that you must be very good in the game.

What position did you play?

I played from the right flank and I equally play top.  What baffles a lot of people is that I play from both the left wing and the right.  My coach may also decide that I should go and play from top. What I had going for me then was speed and as long as we had a good midfielder who spotted me on time, I put the ball on the run and the defenders were in trouble. My pace earned me highest goal scorer when I represented Delta State in the Chris Egogo Cup in Kastina. I also took highest goal scorer when we played the Delta Cup and Principal’s Cup in Delta State. It showed how good I was. I don’t really have speed anymore, although I can still run but not like before. I can only play just to keep fit now.

Who is your favourite player?

I love the gut and the spirit behind that merciless Messi. When you see him play, you just see an ordinary person, but when he’s on motion, you see someone who could pass for an Anti-Christ; I mean somebody who has come to re-define the world of football. You don’t see him coming but then he will do the damage.

Which team do you support?

I’m an Arsenal fan and it is still gunners for life! We’re craving that our man should start buying. We are beginning to commend him and we are also begging him to leave all these secondary school children.

The club has purchased the signature of Sanchez and Welbeck; are they the right signings you crave?

What we just need is two or three players to beef up the attack and maybe one at the defense line to super-impose confidence into the younger players.

Could you imagine Robin Van Persie walking out of the Emirates door?

I couldn’t imagine that but you know the way it is. It’s football and it’s business. It’s business for the individuals that are involved, likewise it’s business for the club owners. Whatever comes, we as fans are going to be on one side and enjoy what is being decided by the owners and hope their decision takes us to another level.

As a loyal Arsenal fan, what do you enjoy most about the club?

It’s the style of play, the free flow of football and the tip tap football that’s being associated with Arsenal. But lately, it’s like we’ve sold that birthright to Barcelona because they’re now fond of knocking the ball around. The beauty of football is the ability to make the ball go around your 11 players and at the end of the day get a goal or two from it and become winners.

Ay and his lovely family

Does your wife support Arsenal too?

My wife is not a fan of football and you know when you’re in a relationship, you must understand how to connect. So I've been able to link her and connect her with what I believe in, just the same way she has succeeded in linking me to Tinsel and other things that she likes. There’s always a balance and that’s what relationship is all about. It’s the ability to strike a balance so that you won’t pay the price.

What if at 4:00pm, Arsenal is playing against Chelsea and at the same time Tinsel is showing?

She would understand how important it is to have a dual channel. She’s going to stay north, while I’ll remain down south. My wife is not necessarily an Arsenal fan but by association, yes!

The EPL trophy has eluded Arsenal since the era of the Invincible came to end. What is the problem in your opinion?

That’s life for you. You can’t be a winner all the time. A time would come when it would no longer be AY and someone else would be on top. But one’s ability to still remain on top of one’s game makes one to be relevant as a brand. One would only nurture oneself into going back to grabbing all the trophies and all the awards. What’s important for Arsenal is the fact that they’re not facing relegation.

What is your perception about Mario Balotelli and what headlines do you think he will be grabbing this time around at Liverpool?

For me, Balotelli is a dramatist. He’s someone who seeks attention and gets it. When he gets it, the press writes about him. Over there, when you hit the news positively or otherwise, you become an instant hit and you start trending on Twitter, Facebook Instagram and every social media platform. But it’s a different ball game here. Sometimes when the press writes something about a certain person, it gets to the person in and the society here condemns the person. Over there, whether it’s negative or positive; you’re trending. Balotelli is someone who has achieved that lately and it seems to have boosted his career a lot as a footballer.

What’s your memorable moment in football?

It was a long time ago and I can never forget. It was when we were playing against Brazil and Kanu Nwankwo was at the best of his element. We came from behind to steal that game while sitting with dad and neighbours enjoying the moment together. Football is like a unifying factor. If you’re quarrelling with Papa Uche for istance, in as much as he’s the one with that black and white TV, everybody will come together and ignore that fight. The fight ends there and the women are busy in the kitchen because they’re never interested, preparing your food and praying that the day goes well for Nigeria or else the house will be boring that day.

On the flip side, what’s your worst moment in football?

The worst moment was during the World Cup. You remember that close miss from Yakubu Aiyegbeni? It was very sad. Whenever I remember, I feel like I should just see Yakubu put that ball at the back of the net because it would have given us a great chance to move on in that competition. And if you noticed at that competition, we improved with every game. So had it been Yakubu scored, we would have gone farther than Ghana.

Do you infuse sports into your jokes?

I do that all the time. There are so many jokes of mine that you can relate with sports. I just mentioned Yakubu’s name, I didn’t spare him at that period in all my jokes. At a point he called me and said, “AY wetin I do you now?” But anyway, we try to strike a balance whereby you won’t go below the belt and make the person feel bad.

Assuming you’re yet to be married, what sportswoman catches your fancy that you would love to date?

 Well, I’ve never thought of it, so I should be thinking now that you’ve asked the question. So, if you give me time to think, when you come for another interview, I’ll give you the answer.

What’s the crazy stuff you did just because your team won?

Back in Warri, when we won the Principal’s Cup, we defeated this very rugged secondary school. Knowing how rugged they were, I didn’t even know how I went to go and celebrate a goal in front of their teeming fans.  Immediately I got to their front, I saw this coke bottle go past my left ear. It was really crazy! To tell you how my other team mates knew them, unconsciously, I was the only one who went in front of them to celebrate a goal. Meanwhile, my teammates were in their own half waiting for me to come so that they would celebrate with me. They knew quite well that you cannot go in front of those guys to celebrate. It was the biggest risk I took in the game of football. I think I still paid the price because one of them still caught me around Oboto market and gave me one hot dirty slap. My school then was College of Commerce while the school we played against was Orobo College.

If Arsenal is playing at the same time as the Super Eagles, which one would you go for?

It has to be Super Eagles now. It’s a national call. I pledge to Nigeria my country to be faithful, loyal and honest.

We all know it’s been tough for the Super Eagles in the past few years now; what do you think is the problem and what is the way forward?

I think it’s an administrative problem because we have the raw talents and they’re everywhere. These guys play fantastic football at their club sides and at open grounds. When we take politics out of football, then we’ll be going places. We have players who are loyal to this country and want to come back home and serve. There’s nothing like wearing your national jersey. Even as a comedian, when you go on the mic, in South Africa, Kenya, London, America or anywhere in the world; there’s nothing like saying I’m AY and I’m from Naija. There’s absolutely nothing like flying the flag of your country. So, we have players who are willing but the administrative angle should pay proper attention to how they can connect all the factors that would make us have an effective sporting activity in Nigeria. They must begin to find their way to the grassroots to get raw talents or create a football academy for instance to boost home grown professionals. Football is beyond ‘because he’s my cousin; you have to get him into the national team’. Whereas, the cousin in question is only going to wear the national team jersey to embarrass us because he’s not the right type of player. So, politics must be left out when it comes to football administration.

Apart from football, what other sports do you have bias for?

I play table tennis very well in a capacity of you calling me a left-handed champion. I’m that gifted and these are things I just thank God for everyday. When people look at me, they see that very fragile AY and when they see me doing the things I can do, they seem to be taken aback. I also sprint very well.  I play lawn tennis via video games.

Do you actually like video games?

I like video games and my wife beats me a lot.

What player do you enjoy most in the Arsenal team?

I like Alexis Sanchez a lot, not because he has that 100 per cent free flow of football, but because he utilizes his chances; and that makes him the Arsenal man. The other guys are equally good and I can’t actually put one above the other.