OAP, actor and comedian Steven Onu, popularly known as Yaw talks to JANE KOLADE about how growing up with a tough parent helped make him the man he is today, his passion for entertainment, social consciousness and lots more. Excerpts:
HOW did you come about the name Yaw? It started from when I was on the TV sitcom Flatmates, with Kayode Peters and Basketmouth. Back then I was always saying, “Wow pawpaw men, yaw.” So that is where it started from. Every time I went out people would refer to me as just Yaw. And so when I got to start working on radio I had no choice as I was told that I could not use my first name Steve because it is not Nigerian so I decided to use Yaw, and that is how I came to use the name, Yaw.
How did your transition from that young boy from a very humble home to what you have become today?
I would probably just say that I have been extremely fortunate, the grace of God really. I thank God that I am no longer where I used to be, though I’m not yet where I want to be. I also think that it has a lot to do with hard work, and being consistent, and then God’s favour. The God factor is key for me. God’s love if you permit me to put it that way. But for the God factor, I don’t think there is anything special in me.
Tell us about your latest project?
I just finished the show; Shalanga.
How did it go?
We thank God. It was good. Everyone is screaming about the economy but the turnout this year was larger than last year’s. We are still trying to dot the I’s and cross the T’s, pay our loans and all but in all we thank God. We have an in-house studio, so we will be coming out with TV projects; some of which we have been working on for quite a while. We should start recording very soon. We also have two or three radio programs in the works. In addition to the movies we are about to shoot, which are about going into production. We are also storming the streets with other stuff we have.
Why theater, especially since Nigeria does not have much of a theater going culture?
I studied theater. I have told myself that I would do what I could to make sure that the Arts don’t die. This is the eighth edition of the annual event, and I have told myself that I would continue to do so. We must all contribute to the growth of Nigeria.
I have been doing productions, even back in school, and so I will continued to do so until I can make the kind of plays that I really want to; theater proper. That is when I can really boast of the finances, grants, or funds to do big time theater, where we can show culture, tradition, and the like.
Many people say theater is dead, I might agree to a large extent, but it is growing. Many people are still doing a lot, the likes of Joke Silva, the Lalas, and the likes of her. Big shout out to Terra Kulture, Bolanle Austin-Peters for contributing to the growth of theater. She has given up her theater for people to use for staging plays every Sunday. This is what we need. We also can’t blame people for not coming out to watch plays. The assigned place for all that to happen I mean the National Theater is dying, a few plays are staged there but how many people go there to watch plays? You can’t blame them though, no power, security and so on. Still we stage our plays in other places.
While growing up, what did you dream of doing?
Nigeria is a funny country that has a way of changing destiny. You might have had a dream, but they have a way of changing it. For instance you might have dreamt of becoming a pilot but you can end up a musician. That only happens in Nigeria. You could have wanted to be a doctor as a kid, and then when you grow up you have become something else. Like I am sure that you did not plan to become a writer as a kid?
Are you married?
I would like to leave that part of my life out of it.
Are you thinking about it?
I would like to leave that out.
Even though you are an entertainer, you are still a businessman. How do you manage the business part? Running a business with staff, operations and all, how have you managed that?
It’s crazy, yet you must run the office, you must do your business, even though the economy is tough you must run your generator. It is not easy yet we must believe that it will get better. I tell my staff now and then that even though we are not making the kind of money we want to, we are doing something. So they need to be patient as things we will work out well.
So, what is your take on the intellectual property rights bill?
I think that it is something that must be really looked into. So many people are being ripped off. Speaking to a friend a while ago, I asked him, “When you produce a song for an artiste, and they give it to whoever and it is used as a ring back tune. Do you get anything afterwards?” The producers, not even the musician, and some say, “No”. I think that every entertainer ought to get a lawyer; whether you a musician, comedian, an actor, you should have one so he/she can speak for you. I really think that government should do something about it, and the bill or amendment should be passed, if it hasn’t already.
Quite a number of entertainers are ignorant of the law, their rights and such, but even when there are programs for entertainers, they don’t attend. They then claim ignorance. What do you thing?
The government should look into it, but I also think that the practitioners should know their rights which are why having managers is key. Unfortunately, many of them don’t have managers; only errand boys on their payroll. But do they know the law of contract or information that can help them when challenges arise? A friend and I were talking a few days ago, and it turned to the issue of investment for entertainers. Many entertainers don’t know their rights or the industry, yet don’t attend educative programs; neither do they learn about investing their money. At the end, many of them don’t even own their own homes. It has a lot to do with the entertainers themselves; there is need for them to be sensitized so they can do better.
Are you aware what institutions like COSON do?
I know what COSON is doing; I also know that some artistes are not part of COSON.
Actually any content creator can get their interests protected by COSON.
But you forget that these same artistes send their work to be pirated at Alaba market. These same artistes post their songs on YouTube for free download.
What is your take on the MOPICON bill?
I don’t think it can work like that because we are talking about talent and creativity. The young comic; Kenny Black cannot be more than 25 years old, another young DJ played at my show and is not up to ten years of age. Some people never learnt it, it is God given, and if it is in you, you cannot limit it, or guide it. All they need is good managers. Justin Bieber started music quite young, what should happen to such people? The important thing to tackle for entertainers is the issue of piracy.
Have you been affected by piracy?
No.
What is your take on same-sex unions?
I am Christian to the core, and it goes against the bible law, and I follow what it says.
Are there things in your background you think are responsible for your success?
If you listen to my radio show, that is all I talk about. Apart from God, it is a major key to what I am today. Things are different now than they were then, kids are raised differently today.
If a young man were to walk up to you saying that he would like to be like you (do what you do) what would you advise?
Talent is important and education is paramount, I would say first go to school. First and foremost you have to be sure you have the talent, and then go to school. After schooling, or while in school you must train yourself in what you want to do/be. I always tell anyone who asks, it is not easy. Don’t believe that it’s an easy ride, it never is. It’s not all about the money, money will come but that is after you have made a name. If you don’t make a name money can’t come so make the name. Ensure that you clean the ladder as you climb it; keep a clean record, a clean slate as you don’t know where you will end up.
What would you tell him to stay away from?
Stay away from drugs, and let us work hard to make Nigeria a better place.
People complain that many of this generation are not willing to pay their dues, have you experienced this?
A young man walked up to me at a studio and said that he wanted to be the next Wizkid, he brought me song, “This song will blow, and I will be the next Wizkid”. So I told him, after listening to the song, I told him “My brother, it can’t work,” and he told me, “It must work o!” I told him you can’t be the next Wizkid, if you are the next Wizkid; it means you are Wizkid second. Why should people want a copy when they have the original? So I agree with you people want to be overnight successes but it doesn’t happen that way, which is why cybercrime is on the rise, everybody wants quick money.
I also believe that it has a lot to do with our society, and the value system, the economy, parents don’t have time for their kids anymore.
As a kid, I remember that my mum would go through my bag, and if she found a pen that wasn’t mine, there would be hell to pay. And my mum can slap for United Nations. When she slaps you, you will feel dizzy, no two ways about it. Today I joke about it, but it wasn’t funny then. My mother could tell you what you were thinking in your mind. Some thoughts would not even cross my mind, but things have changed. The rush to make a living is simply too much. Mothers don’t have time to raise their kids.
