Today, Gospel City Naija took a diversion from music and caught up with a comedian for a chat. His name is General Odey and he is a remarkable comedian that brands himself as a comedy minister of Christ. He stands himself out from the pack of comedians that do vulgar jokes and has been able to carve a comfortable niche for himself in gospel comedy.
He has picked up several awards for his trade and shared the mic with popular comedians and artistes. Here, General Odey opens up on a couple of things and gives out some tips to comedians, ministers and fans...Read for a thrill!
Are you still doing strictly gospel comedy?
Yes boss...Church boy 4 life
For the sake of our readers, tell us briefly about you
I am General Odey of the Federal Republic of Nigeria aka Minister of Funny Affairs, aka Comedy Evangelist, aka Chinese Comedy Ambassador.
My real name is Ukeju Odey. I hail from Abia state but was born and brought up in Cross River state... My mum is from Cross River state I am currently based in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state where I contribute my own quota in putting more than just smiles in people face...
I am a multi-talented fellow and an all-round entertainer. This is because I am a comedian, TV and radio presenter/MC, an actor, a vocalist, a rapper, a song writer, a preacher and a media consultant. I am also the CEO of Megalaff Ent, an event company that can plan your event from top to bottom. We also manage artist and promote products.
Sometime ago, you said something about making your jokes censored because of your Christian belief
Yes boss... That's what I do... No matter where I find myself.. I don't talk vulgar.
So what has been your challenge in your line of work? In general, what do u think is d challenge of gospel comedians?
There are two challenges that I have personally been facing. The first is that there are not enough platforms for us to sale our act. The other is due to the fact that most of the popular comedians don't do gospel, a lot of ministries are skeptical about celebrating gospel comedians.. Because they feel that comedians are all secular, vulgar and the same.
Most times I go the extra mile to convince some pastors that am different before they give me the opportunity to minister.
Let me add also that comedy is not a talent that is generally accepted in churches like music and dance... And this makes most Comedians go secular because the "church" does not generally accept us. Na jealousy be that sha…(Laughs)
With these in view, what is your advice for gospel comedians that are trying to forge ahead with their act in the face of all these?
My advice to them is that they should not give up. They should take time to sharpen their talent, train and be the best and it. When they become cunning and skillful in their gift, they will prove a lot of ministries wrong.
Just like I have been doing in Uyo, a lot of ministries that did’nt use to invite comedians to their conventions, anniversaries etc. They are now inviting me on a regular basis, because I have been able to prove to them that am different.
Okay. What would u say has given you an edge over your contemporaries and helped u stand strong despite the challenges?
My brother... I will say it’s God, because ever since I gave my life to Christ, He has been my source of inspiration. He has also made me to understand that the gift of comedy is like every other gift in the body of Christ... That made me to see myself not as an ordinary comedian but as a minister too... Any how you see am, we are all ministers in the vineyard laboring together, to the glory of God.
So its God’s grace... I don't want to say it’s because I fast every week, or because I pray two to three hours every morning before I leave my house every day, or because I read books. If no be God's grace, I fit do all this things yet I no for still funny.
What's ur final word to the person reading this post?
My final words are that they should also celebrate and give us gospel comedians the equal opportunity like they give to gospel musicians and dancers.. .before gospel comedians go vex backslide from faith…[laughs]
Finally, before we go, give us a freestyle joke about the fate of gospel comedy and maybe Gospel city Naija too.
Now, about the fate of gospel comedy... I want to say that it lies in the hands of gospel comedians...if we do well people will clap for us and pay us well.. But if we don't, people will stone us and collect the mic from us.
As for me I have decided to make gospel comedy my business and have also positioned myself for the outpouring of God's spirit into my life and ministry... God is the first comedian ever recorded in the bible...Gen 21:6 says "and Sarah said God has made me to laugh... So that any one that hear (the joke) shall laugh with me". Note that thejoke God cracked produced a miracle... so brethren watch out for me cos very soon the blind shall hear my joke and see, cripples will laugh and walk, dumb will laugh and talk.. The barren will laugh and get pregnant... Gospel City Naija will post it and God will change your name from Gospel City to Gospel Country... Shooout Hallelujah!!!!
[ GENERAL LAUGHTER]
That's good But why the photo of him and wizkid....does that add any feather to his personality as a christian comedian.that's really contradicting,it should rather be a photo of him and a brother in the ministry. Are we supposed to jump up and say he's really good because u published a photo of him and a secular star who sings not to the glory of God. Photos of him with great men of God, Gospel singers and christian comedians would have been better.
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